The scientific programme was planned for a period of ten weeks in the field and was made as ambitious as possible. It was approved in full by the Ross Dependency Research Committee.

The tentative programme was as follows:

General.

The main purpose of the expedition is to complete the mapping end studies begun by the two previous University expeditions in the Dry Valley systems north of the Taylor Glacier in South Victoria Land. Something over half of the 2500 square mile area has been mapped to date.

Work this summer should proceed in the west and north of the Dry Valley area, probably from two base camps set up in the upper end lower parts of the Victoria Dry Valley.

Geology

Extensions of the Beacon series south-west to the Taylor to link in with areas immediately across the Taylor studied by McKelvey and Webb in 1957/58 and of the same series to the north and to the west to link with regions mapped by the 1958/59 party and also by T.A.E. geologists should be made. During these visits the fossil locality near Shapeless would be re-examined and other localities sought in nearby rocks of the series. The so-called Mawson tillite would be sought further south. The dolerites associated with the Beacon and with the basement rocks would be further examined and mapped and the basement metamorphics and granites studied further. General geological mapping of the whole of the remaining area would be carried out.

Paleomagnetism

A considerable amount of collecting of oriented specimens of Dolerite and Beacon sediments is necessary. Last summer's party were unable to collect from the upper areas and have none from Beacon sediments.

Gravity Work

It is desired to extend the profile made by Dr. Bull last year westwards to the plateau, mainly to ascertain whether or not there exists the rock step. thought to be the ultimate cause of the existence of the Dry Valley area. A further profile in the Victoria Valley would be useful and extensions north and south of this profile would also be made.

Determinations of ice thickness on one selected glacier, probably the Upper Victoria, would be made, and, if conditions permitted, a profile of Lake Vida would be obtained.

Topographic Survey

Only a limited number of extra survey points are required to give good ground cover. The estimated number is 5, of which only one needs to be south of the Wright, the rest situated in the Victoria Valley area.

Glaciology

General glaciological observations would be made wherever appropriate, in particular studies of recession by moraines, cirque morphology, altitude of cirque floors and so on. It should be possible to measure movement of one selected glacier and also to obtain information regarding annual accumulation at high levels above the firn line.

Meteorology

Two recording stations should be set up, both in the Victoria Valley - one at either end. Standard observations would be made by instruments, self-recording where possible, and the radiation balance measured. Measurement of the upper winds is very desirable, but might not be practicable.

Biology

Two main facets - limnological and biological survey of Lake Vashka and its vicinity, with special attention to the changes that take place over the summer period; also a general lichen survey, examining especially the distribution of lichen species.