Institution: U of Wash , U of Wash , Portland State
Sponsor: NSF
Start_Date: 10/1/2004
End_Date: 3/31/2007
Lat: -77.725
Long: 162.375
ShortPeriod: 6
Descr: This project is a comprehensive study of the dynamics of the land-based polar ice cliffs of Taylor Glacier, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. Through field work and modeling we will explore questions such as: why do cliffs form? what is the structure of the ice velocity field in the near cliff region? how do the dirunal and seasonal temperature and radiation cycles affect the cliff process? and what are the details of the calving process? A network of six seismic stations will allow us to record crevassing and calving events (Qamar, 1988). Coupled with our direct measurements of cliff deformation, the seismic data will elucidate the fracture mechanics and calving processes involved in evolution of an ice cliff.
