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Report on the Eleventh Victoria University of Wellington Antarctic Expedition 1966-67: VUWAE 11

Problem No. 2 — Ablation measurements on the Antarctic Ice Sheet

Problem No. 2

Ablation measurements on the Antarctic Ice Sheet

During an earlier expedition Wilson and House developed a technique for measurement of ablation rates. It is proposed to develop this technique further and to extend the measurements to other areas on the polar ice sheet. This is the only method of making this measurement and it has never been determined at Byrd Station or at Plateau Station. No one else has the page 3 necessary technique to make the measurement. The measurements have to be made in the field as a very large number of samples are involved and contamination is a real problem. It is hoped to extend the technique to measurement of the contribution by drift to the total accumulation.

Importance of measurements: besides its own intrinsic interest - the ablation when combined together with nett accumulation (which is known) gives the gross precipitation. These figures are needed to enable one to estimate the effect on the budget of the Antarctic ice sheet on any change - such as for example the growth of an ice shelf around Antarctica, the increase in sea ice or a change in world temperature.

It is proposed that Wilson and Hendy spend four days at each of the following stations:-
  • Byrd Station
  • Pole Station
  • Plateau Station
  • and, if possible. Vostok