Baldwin Glacier S77°19.836′, E162°32.019′

Baldwin Glacier serves as a reference record for our Victoria Lower Glacier analyses. The differences in the data set will allow to separate the regional input from the local one. A 4m snow profile has been sampled in 1cm resolution for major ion content, isotope ratios, and in 5cm resolution for dust flux and beta radioactivity. Temperature, crystal geometry, and density have been measured on site. Due to unusually high snowfall during November 2000 we were able to take contemporary snow samples during different synoptic weather conditions. Dust samples have been collected from the rocky outcrops around the glacier to allow the source area of the dust in the ice cores to be determined and distinguished from the Victoria Lower Glacier Source.

To study post-depositional processes within the snow pack, a radiation and snow temperature flux device have been installed for the time of our staying on Baldwin Glacier. The radiation device measures incoming and outgoing levels, so a radiation balance can be calculated. The temperature flux device measures the temperature at different heights in the snow pack, allowing the warming or cooling gradient within the pack to be calculated and modelled.

Hourly weather observations on site will be correlated with the measurements from the climate station on Victoria Lower Glacier to construct typical weather patterns of the region.

The glacier topography has been surveyed in the vicinity of our study site using differential, static GPS to correct for the slope angle.