Sea floor currents

An S4 meter which continuously records velocity, temperature and salinity, will be deployed on the sea floor in Granite Harbour for 2 months to determine the velocity of currents responsible for carrying mud off the Antarctic landmass. A continuously recording tide gauge will be installed on nearby Cape Roberts so that tidally generated currents can be recognised.

Mt Erebus Eruption Mechanisms

New digital recording equipment for the Erebus seismic net from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology will be linked with TV and infrasonic surveillance equipment previously established for monitoring eruptions of the volcano. This will improve the accuracy and reliability for timing and location of the eruptions.

Processes in Miers Valley

This is the first of a 3 year programme to monitor the climate, hydrology and sediment transport. The valley is typical of many in the region. The study will help understand the effect on climatic change on glaciers, streams and lakes and sediment transport.

Ross Sea region during Beacon times

This begins a 3 year programme to determine the geography of the Ross Sea region during Beacon times 400 to 140 Million years ago. The study continues and builds on earlier work at VUW on these sedimentary strata, and will allow inferences to be made about changes in crustal structure and climate during this period.

Personnel