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Victoria University Antarctic Research Expedition Science and Logistics Reports 1979-80: VUWAE 24

PART 2 - POST MSSTS VUWAE 24 FIELD EVENTS

page 33

PART 2 - POST MSSTS VUWAE 24 FIELD EVENTS

Several VUWAE members remained in Antarctica after drilling had been completed to participate in other field programmes, many of which were related to the MSSTS project. Part 2 is a report on these programmes and presents preliminary scientific results.

STRUCTURE OF FIELD EVENTS

Beacon Studies (Event 11a)

Dec. 4 - Jan. 7 Coal measure studies at Mt. Fleming, Horseshoe Mountain and Shapeless Mountain.
A. Pyne (Leader/Geologist)
A. Ross (Geological assistant)
B. Walker (Geological assistant)

Cenozoic Studies (Event 11b)

Dec. 5 - Dec. 22 Exploration of Coombs Hills for evidence of pre-Pleistocene lodgement tills.
H. Brady (Geologist)
B. McKelvey (Leader/Geologist)
K. Woodford (DSIR assistant)
Dec. 19 - Dec. 22 Sampling basement granites at Bull Pass for Fission track studies.
B. McKelvey
K. Woodford

Slope Process (Event 11c)

Dec. 8-13 Mapping of moraines in the Pearse Valley.
D. Waghorn
I. Wright (Leader)

Gravity Survey (Event 13)

Dec. 7 - Dec. 24 Gravity observations were made on the lower Taylor Glacier and in the Taylor Dry Valley.
H. Miller (West Germany, Geophysist)
B. Sissons (Leader/Geophysist)
Dec. 25 - Jan 4 Gravity ties to Scott Base made by Helo. Day trips only.
H. Miller
B. Sissons
Jan 5-12 Gravity observations in McMurdo Sound and on Ross Island.
H. Miller
Jan 13 - 15 Small scale gravity Survey in Wright Valley.
H. Miller

Marine Seismic Survey (Event 12)

Feb 5-20 Seismic surveying in McMurdo Sound aboard USCG Icebreaker "Glacier".
D. Bennett N.Z. DSIR Geophysics
T. Dean
B. Sissons V.U.W.
C. Brown P. White
page 34

SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENTS

Permian coal measures at Mount Fleming and Shapeless Mountain (Alex Pyne)

The Mt. Fleming area was revisited to complete a study of the Weller Coal Measures initiated the previous 1978-79 season. Further outcrops of the coal measures in the "cirque basin" at Mt. Fleming were measured and described in detail. These latest data complete the detailed three dimensional coverage of the outcrops which is required to determine the depositional history of the Weller Coal Measures. The new information has also helped to confirm and refine the interpretation of several features found the previous season.

In southern Victoria Land the alluvial Weller Coal Measures are deposited on the Pyramid Erosion Surface (P.E.S.) overlying the Permian Metschel Tillite. Barrett and Kyle (1975) has already shown from evidence at Mt. Fleming that the "time gap" represented by the Pyramid Erosion Surface is small. Work this year has shown that a pod comprising tillite interbedded with carbonaceous shale (Plate IX) is stratigraphically equivalent to a thin laterally extensive sandstone bed containing dispersed clasts and carbonaceous material. These three lithologies are considered facies of the Metschel Tillite. In some places the pyramid Erosion Surface has formed on the sandstone bed. In others, however, sandstone of the Metshcel Tillite appears to grade into the lowest shale lenses of the Weller Goal Measures.

At Mt. Fleming the Metschel Tillite facies are interpreted to have been deposited in glacial and proglacial environments. Small fluctuations of the ice front incorporated vegetation growing around the ice margin. The basal Weller Coal Measures were deposited immediately after the final ice retreat in a periglacial climate. The lithofacies association suggests deposition from a meandering stream system and this will be checked from analysis of the paleocurrent measurements taken from the coal measures. This will show more precisely the directions of current flow and the sinuosity of the depositing river. The paleocurrent directions from the outcrops at Mt. Fleming also will be compared with the directions from Shapeless Mt. 20 km away where the coal measures are very similar.

Three thin calcareous beds (av 100 mm) previously described by Barrett & Webb (1973) and Bradshaw (in press) were traced over a large area of Mt. Fleming this season. The trace of the outcrop delineates an area of about 10 square kilometres. Three very similar calcareous beds were also found in the same stratigraphic position at Shapeless Mtn. about 20 km away. It is inferred that the depositional environment in which these beds accumulated coexisted at both localities and that the environment was laterally continuous over 20 km.

Bradshaw (in press) has found analcime zeolite associated with the upper calcareous bed at Mt. Fleming and interpreted the analcime to have formed from evaporation. This season symmetrical ripple marks (Plate X) were found in the same bed (Bradshaws main horizon) and indicate subaqueous accumulation.

By determining whether the ripples are wave or current formed it is hoped to define precisely the depositional environment.

A point of interest last season was the finding of paleosols at Mt. Bastion and Mt. Fleming that appeared to have formed under cool temperate conditions in the Permian. This season similar paleosols were found higher in the sequence in the upper part of the Feather Conglomerate at Horseshoe Mtn. A comparison of the paleosols shows that both have a well-developed gammate structure in the greenish clay-rich upper horizon and an iron accumulation zone in the lower clay-deficient horizon.

The paleosols are interpreted to have formed under similar climates yet the nature of the flood plans on which they developed were quite different.

References

Barrett, P.J. and Kyle, R.A. 1975. The Early Permian Glacial Beds of South Victoria Land and the Darwin Mountains, Antarctica. In Gondwana Geology, Campbell, K.S.W. ed. A.K.U. Press, p. 333-346.

page 35

Barrett, P.J. and Webb, P.M., 1973. Stratigraphic Sections of the Beacon Supergroup. (Devonian and Older (?) to Jurassic) in South Victoria Land. No.2. Pub. of VUW Geol. Dept.

Bradshaw, M.A., in press. Occurrence and origin of an analcimolite from the Permian Weller Coal Measures of Antarctica. N.Z. J. G.G.

Triassic studies at Horseshoe Mountain (Barry Walker)

Five days were spent at Horseshoe Mountain, near Mt. Fleming, where geological mapping and sampling was carried out. The strata cropping out are the Feather Conglomerate (Late Permian-Early Triassic) and tile Lashly Formation (Mid-Late Triassic). (Plate XI)

The Feather Conglomerate is a corase to very coarse poorly sorted quartzose sandstone with large scale trough cross-bedding. The upper part is represented by a series of "fining-upward" cycles of medium, moderately well-sorted sandstone (Fleming Member - McKelvey et al., 1970).

The Lashly Formation is a sequence of sandstone and carbonaceous mudstone and has been divided into four members (Barrett et al., 1972); Members A, B and C appear to be complete at Horseshoe Mountain with member D occurring within the top 15 meters of the summit.

The Lashly Formation also crops out at the summit of Mount Fleming where 20–30 meters of member A is represented. Reconnaissance and a small amount of sampling of the Lashly Formation at Shapeless Mountain was all that time and weather conditions permitted. Several of the key stratigraphic horizons found at Horseshoe Mountain could be recognised at Shapeless Mountain, including the thin blue-grey muds-bone beds containing white rootlets and the silicified tree horizon.

Detailed petrological studies will be made of the sandstone samples from Horseshoe Mountain to determine mineralogical changes that may occur throughout this Triassic sequence. The relationship between sandstone texture and sedimentary structures will also be studies.

References

Barrett, P.J.; Grindley, G.W.; Webb, P.N., 1972. The Beacon Supergroup of East Antarctica. In Adie, R.J. (ed.), Antarctic Geology and Geophyics, Pp. 319-332.

McKelvey, B.C.; Webb, P.N.; Gorton, M.P.; Kohn, B.P., 1970. Stratigraphy of the Beacon Supergroup between the Olympus & Boomerang Ranges, Victoria Land, Antarctica. Nature 225, 1126-8.

page 36

Pre-Pleistocene lodgement tills in the Coombs Hills - Odell Glacier region (Barry McKelvey)

The Coombs area was visited this season to locate and examine remnants of pre-Pleistocene lodgement tills. A study of these deposits was started in 1977/78 by VUWAE 22 and this season's work was a continuation of that programme.

A major find this season was the uncovering of a fossil striated pavement at over 2800 m on Mt. Brooke. This is at least 800 m above the present ice level. This pavement, in conjunction with other evidence from Mt. Feather (Brady and McKelvey 1979) strongly suggests the East Antarctic Ice sheet in Southern Victoria Land predated the Victoria Orogeny. In other words, the mountains are being pushed up through the ice-sheet. The ice-flow direction shown by the pavement is in very close agreement with that determined from the Cenozoic tillite described from Mt. Feather.

The pre-Pleistocene tillite examined at the northeastern end of the Coombs Hills was previously considered to be a Plateau derived remnant of the so-called Sirius Tillite (Mayewski 1975). However, when taking into account the composition of the till stones and comparing these with the geological composition of the Coombs Hills it appears the till can only have been derived from a local neve field in the Convoy Range region, that was drained by an earlier phase of the then expanded Curreen Glacier.

Further Palaeontological and mineralogical investigations of the Cenozoic till are planned.

References

Brady, H.; McKelvey, B.C., 1979. The interpretation of a Tertiary tillite at Mt. Feather, Southern Victoria Land, Antarctica. Journal of Glaciology, 22, 36, pp. 189-193.

Mayewski, P.A., 1975. Glacial geology and late Cenozoic history of the Transantarctic Mountains, Antarctica. Ohio State University, Institute of Polar Studies, Report No. 56.

Sampling basement rocks for fission track investigations (Barry McKelvey)

Granitic basement rocks were sampled in the Bull Pass - Lake Vida region to use for fission track investigation. The samples arrived in Melbourne at the end of February where processing of the material by Dr A. Gleadow of the Particle Tracking Laboratory, University of Melbourne was immediately commenced. The fission track technique will be employed to decipher the uplift history of the Transantarctic Mountains (i.e. the Victoria Orogeny) by determining the time when the basement reached a certain level in the earth's crust.

page 37

Investigation of moraines in the Pearse Valley (Ian Wright)

Moraine lobes which flank the Pearse Valley slopes of the Kukri Kills were mapped in detail. The lobes average 250 to 300 metres in length with faces approximately 25 metres high and have wind-blown hollows giving the surface hummocky relief. Surface clasts show no evidence of imbrication or elongation.

These lobes are interpreted to result from at least two phases of alpine glaciation. Detailed mapping revealed that one lobe contains features possibly formed by delayed retreat during the second phase. This could possibly be interpreted as a third alpine glacial phase.

The alpine moraines can be distinguished from Robinson's (1978) "early Taylor" moraines present in the Pearse Valley by mineralogical composition. The "early Taylor" moraines contain plutonic clasts, specifically K-feldspar granites, which are absent from the alpine moraines.

Formation of patterned ground on the alpine moraine surfaces indicates they are ice-cored and Robinson (pers. comm.) has found matrix ice within the moraines. The shape of the moraines suggests plastic deformation of the matrix ice is presently occurring.

Further investigation in the Pearse Valley is needed to relate the chrono-stratigraphy and ice-flow directions of the "Taylor" glacial expansions to the alpine glacial phases, and also to the fluctuations in levels of Lakes House and Joyce.

page 38

Marine seismic surveying in McMurdo Sound (B.A. Sissons)

The present survey was intended to extend marine seismic coverage to: i) the western side of McMurdo Sound, in order to examine the nature of any faulting or other structures in the boundary zone between the Trans Antarctic Mountains and the Ross Sea: ii) to examine the continuity of the basin structure to the north side of Ross Island; iii) to extend seismic coverage northwards to link with previous work at Terra Nova Bay; iv) to obtain reconnaissance results around Beaufort and Franklin Islands and also across the sould into Granite Harbour. With the limited time available it was not possible to achieve many of our objectives. However, a moderate amount of good data was obtained in this year's survey, which will form a good basis for future work intended in this region.

Seismic operations commenced at 0530 UT, 7 February, and continued until 0600, 11 February, except for a seven hour break on 8 February to return to McMurdo station. Several piston cores were also taken by the Project S207 team during the survey, some of which coincided with downtimes of K-12 seismic system. K-12's larger compressor was damaged due to oil pressure failure before the start of surveying, and they were therefore obliged to use their backup airgun system and smaller compressor throughout the survey. This meant that maintenance downtime was much greater than would otherwise have been the case. However, the K-12 backup system in general operated reliably.

Standard operation procedure was as follows: three siesmic arrays and a magnetometer fish were trailed astern of the fantail, while the airgun was launched and towed from the portside fantail winch. The signal from one array was filtered and fed to the K-12 EPC recorder to give an immediate analog display of the seismic coverage, while a second array was fed without filtering into a FM tape recorder for later processing and playback. The third array was also directly recorded to provide a trigger signal corresponding to gun fire instant. The magnetic field was recorded in analog form on two chart recorders. Three disposable sonobuoys were launched to obtain seismic refraction data. Two worked well, and one transmitted data which can probably be reprocessed to give a usable record. A continuous PDR watch was also maintained by members of the S207 project team and the marine science technicians during seismic operations.

The approximate coordinates of end points of seismic lines, and the positions of sonobuoy drops are listed below. Deviations from straight course and breaks in seismic records along these lines Occurred due to ice conditions, equipment downtime and coring station stops.

Track Lines
From To
Line 1 −77°41′, 165°53′ −77°46′, 164°50′
Line 2 −77°46′, 164°47′ −77°38′, 164°23′
Line 3 −77°39′, 164°23′ −77°35′, 165°06′
Line 4 −77°32′, 164°53′ −77°36′, 164°13′
Line 5 −77°36′, 164°17′ −77°38′, 164°25′
Line 6 −77°37′, 164°25′ −77°22′, 166°19′
Line 7 −77°24′, 166°30′ −77°30′, 166°3′
Line 8 −77°32′, 166°6′ −77°15′, 166°0′
Sonobuoy 1 −77°21′, 166°7′
Line 9 −77°7′, 167°5′ −77°19′, 169°18′
Sonobuoy 2 −77°17′, 167°43′
Line 10 −77°19′, 168°14′ −77°22′, 167°35′
Line 11 −77°22′, 167°35′ −77°12′, 167°53′
Line 12 −77°12′, 167°53′ −76°53′, 167°4′
Line 13 −76°51′, 167°4′ −76°55′, 163°16′
Line 14 −76°53′, 163°16′ −76°7′, 167°1′
Sonobuoy 3 −76°52′, 163°20′
page 39

A reasonable amount of useful seismic data, and a good bathymetric record were obtained. The Beaufort Island - Granite Harbour leg in particular gave a good seismic record. Gently dipping strata are evident and are truncated at or near the seabed by an unconformity. The unconformity is thought to be the same as that observed elsewhere in McMurdo Sound and the Ross Sea.

Dry Valley gravity survey (B.A. Sissons)

The Dry Valleys gravity survey was designed to compliment the Sea Ice gravity survey made earlier in the season and to fill gaps in the existing data measured by Bull (1962, 1964), Smithson (1971), Stern (1978) and Hicks, Bennett and Wendon (1980). A detailed gravity traverse was completed down Taylor Valley from Northwest Mountain to the sea, with stations at 1 to 3 km intervals. Gravity readings were also made at approximately 10 km spacings in the Lower Ferrar and Blue Valleys and on the Dailey Islands.

Gravity was measured with a Worden gravity meter relative to the Scott Base Gravity Ease for which absolute gravity is 982992.6 mgals Hatherton (1961). Precision of measurement is within 0.3 mgals. Heights of stations were determined barometrically relative to surveyed heights of trig stations and lake surfaces; heights are known to within ± 5 M. Where available the 1:50 000 USGS topographic maps which now cover most of the survey area were used. Terrain corrections for Hamner Zones B to D were estimated in the field and for zones E to M templates were used on the topographic maps. The total error in determination of Bouguer Anomalies is less than 2 mgals.

References

Bull, C. 1960. Gravity Observations in the Wright Valley Area, Victoria Land, Antarctica. N.Z. J. Geol. Geophys. 3: 543-52.

Bull, C., 1962. Gravity Observations in the Koettlitz Glacier Area, Southern victoria Land, Antarctica. N.Z. J. Geol. Geophys. 5: B10-19.

Hatherton, T. 1961. N.Z.D.S.I.R. Bull. 140. 117 p.

Hicks, S.R.; Bennett, O.J.; Wendon, M.J. Gravity Models of the Lower Taylor Valley, Antarctica, in press. N.Z. J. Geol. Geophys.

Stern, T., 1978. Gravity Survey of the Taylor Glacier, Victoria Land, Antarctica. Geology Department, VUW Publ. No.8.

Smithson, S.B., 1972. Gravity Interpretation in the Transantarctic Mountains near McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Geol. Soc. of Am. Bull. 83: 3437-42.

page 40

FIELD NOTES

Event 11a

A. TRANSPORT

Major movements were by helicopter and the service was completely satisfactory. The necessity to use "opportunity basis" helo movements at times caused only minimal delays due to the competent scheduling of the Scott Base Deputy Leader (Ted Robinson). Work from base camps was done on foot and a small camp back-packed to Horseshoe Mt.

B. MAIN AREAS COVERED

Event 11a camped at Mt. Fleming from December 4 to January 2 on the same site that was occupied the previous season. Horseshoe Mountain was visited by climbing from the camp up the back of the Mt. Fleming cirque to Plateau level then walking southwestwards on blue plateau ice and moraine to Horseshoe Mt, where the three party members spent a total of four cosy nights in a two man tent. The party moved to Vanda station (by helo) for the festive season after returning to Mt. Fleming camp from Horseshoe Mt., and returned again to Mt. Fleming in late December. Early in January Event 11a moved to Shapeless Mt. camping in the large north facing cirque for five days.

C. WEATHER

The weather pattern at Mt. Fleming was similar to that experienced previously in the 1978–79 season. Katabatic winds from the polar plateau and low temperatures (averaging about −14°C (@ camp level) restricted the duration of a field day to a few hours especially when working on the exposed ridges.

Winds less than 20 knots (@ camp level) were experienced for only 1/3 of the period December 4 to 22.

Weather observations were made approximately twice daily at Mt. Fleming and Shapeless Mt. These records are summarised in Appendix III.

D. COMMUNICATIONS

In general no problems were experienced using a DSIR Compak SSB radio to communicate with Scott Base. Most communication problems we had appeared to originate from the Scott Base transceiver. A lithium cell was used with the Compak set at Horseshoe Mt., giving excellent service. Blowing snow at this camp caused a static electricity charge on the dipole aerial. This was sufficient to give a significant shock or a violent spark of 2-3 mm when earthed to the tent pole. Under these conditions even communication with Vanda Station was nearly impossible, and the radio was used for a minimum period of time. The aerial was disconnected to prevent damage to the radio when not in use in this situation.

E. LOSS/DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT

The only damage, apart from breakages of scientific equipment, was the bending of one section of the aluminium ridge pole in an Italian Tent.

Event 11b

A. TRANSPORT

Event 11b would have used nearly all its allotted 6.5 hours helicopter time in being placed near Mt Brooke in the Coombs Hills and in Bull Pass page 41 in the Dry Valleys. However, another move to the northeastern end of the Coombs Hills became possible through "backloading" on a support flight to S. 053 (Dr. J. Annexstad, NASA) operating in the Allen Hills.

B. See Itinerary

C. WEATHER

Overall the weather conditions in the Coombs Hills ranged from poor to dismal. Out of the nine days (6th to 14th) spent in the Mt. Brooke end of the Hills four were entirely lost due to gale conditions (winds in excess of 50 knots and temperatures down to −18°C). On another one and a half days conditions were at best only marginal. At the second (lower) campsite at the northern end of Coombs Hills near the Curreen Glacier conditions were considerably better. Only one day was lost, although gale conditions made another marginal. Observations of the Mt. Brooke end of the Hills made from the northeastern (Curreen Glacier) end suggested that bad weather conditions (i.e. non working) existed in the former location when workable conditions existed in the latter.

We would strongly recommend that campsites in the Coombs Hills along the Plateau edge and near the headof the Odell Glacier be avoided. On no account should parties camp on the Upper Odell Glacier. Very strong katabatic winds would appear to be common throughout the region and in the latter area would place a party at risk.

At Bull Pass the typical Dry Valley climate was relaxing and much appreciated. Summary of weather records are presented in Appendix III.

E. LOSS/DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT

Primus problems

The primus issued with the NZARP kitchen box was not usable in the Coombs Hills. Although tested by us and apparently O.K. at Scott Base, at 2000 m the production of carbon monoxide was profuse, the indicator becoming black within minutes. The back-up stove (an Optimus from the VUWAE store) operated safely and well at all times.

F. RECOMMENDATIONS

Equipment

Brady and McKelvey were outfitted with cold weather gear by Antarctic Division D.S.I.R. for which VUWAE paid a rental. The new D.S.I.R. issue (green) quilted jackets and the new style windproofs were much appreciated under the weather conditions encountered in the Coombs Hills. The windproof trousers do need braces, however, as they work down particularly when the pockets contain equipment, etc. Ankle tapes are also needed as it's very easy to snag a crampon spike and, and while climbing, even a projecting rock.

Further work

Every effort should be made to extend for at least one more season the search for "old" pre-Pleistocene tills and tillites, and striated pavements north of the Mawson Glacier. Particularly, this should be done in the Trinity Nunatak, Schultz Peak - Mt Armytage, and Mount Murray regions. It is appreciated that the Coombs Hills-Allan Hills area is at the limit of helicopter range for a payload of 1650 lbs. However, we feel that by adopting a much more austere (but still adequate) field ration and by pruning equipment to essentials this load for a ten day trip could be reduced to under 1000 lbs. This could be done without jeopardizing in any way the safety of the field party. Given the refueling facility at Marble Point, could not the operational range be extended so as to reach these localities at the head of and on the north side of the Mawson Glacier.

page 42

Event 11c

A. TRANSPORT - not applicable

B. MAIN AREAS COVERED

Event 11c camped at Sigrid Pond during the period December 4-13 and mapped on foot moraines in the upper and lower Pearse Valley.

C. WEATHER

Event 11c was not supplied with meteorological instruments although records of the weather conditions in Pearse were made visually and with the use of a soil thermometer. These observations were relayed to Scott Base on the morning and evening radio scheds. and are summarised in Appendix III.

Event 11c experienced excellent weather conditioning during their stay (Dec. 8 - 13) in Pearse Valley. The wind was never greater than 25 knots and temperatures were warm enough to melt surface ice of Sigrid Pond.

D. COMMUNICATIONS

A Labgear radio was used and generally gave no problems in communications with Scott Base. On two separate days relay via Vanda Station was necessary due to poor radio conditions at Scott Base.

Two batteries were picked up together with a radio from the Scott Base Post Office. In the field, one battery was found to be dead even though the Post Office had given the assurance that both were fully charged. Problems could have been experienced without a spare battery if the planned field duration had been longer.

E. LOSS/DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT - not applicable

F. RECOMMENDATIONS

It is necessary for pre-field checks to be carried out on both the radio transmitter and spare batteries.

The supply of tent pegs at Scott Base was nonexistent when 11c was preparing to leave for the field. Makeshift pegs were prepared at Scott Base for use at the Sigrid Pond campsite where suitable rocks were known not to be available. A greater number of tent pegs and ice screws (for ice camps) should be held at Scott Base for tent pitching purposes.

Event 12

(Note: Event 12 was based on USCG icebreaker "Glacier". Field notes are therefore not presented as for other Scott Base supported field events.)

WEATHER AND SEA CONDITIONS

Fine weather and calm seas were experienced throughout the survey. Temperatures were rather low for the time of year (min. −15°C). The sea ice had broken out from most of the Sound except on the western side. The surveys were prevented in New Harbour and Granite Harbour by very close pack ice.

page 43

OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS

Icing of the pressurised air system of the airgun, and ship generated electrical noise, were the main problems. Despite siting the compressor in the wet lab. corridor for warmth, freezing of the airline between compressor and firing board, and also at the firing board itself regularly occurred. This problem was partially overcome by running an electrical heater near the firing board. Both the seismic arrays and the magnetometer were subject to electrical noise pickup, which in the case of the magnetometer resulted in the collection of very little useful data. Apart from 60 Hz noise, intermittent noise from motor drives and other sources, and radio transmissions caused interference problems at times. However, it will be possible to remove most of this noise from the seismic data on replay of the tapes.

Event 13

A. TRANSPORT

On Taylor Glacier 180 km of travel was completed with Snowtric toboggan 016 in the region between Finger Mountain and the vicinity of Lake Joyce. Generally travel was with a very lightly laden sledge except for the move from Camp I to Camp II where a 250 kg load was hauled.

The Briggs and Stratton motor started and ran well until a bearing in the centrifugal clutch seized near the end of projected glacier travel. A small disc to prevent direct air entry to the carburettor was lost and had to be replaced after the second day.

The tobaggan being designed to run on snow did not travel particularly well over the rough scalloped ice on the lower Taylor Glacier. On two occasions bolts were sheared in the front suspension and once the right rear axle came loose and was dragged by the track to jam against the front axle.

B. MAIN AREAS COVERED

A gravity survey was completed from the head of the Taylor Glacier near Northwest Mountain to the sea. Travel on the glacier was by tobaggan. Walking traverses were made down the Pearse Valley and in that part of the Taylor Valley below the glacier. Camps were made on the Taylor Glacier at the head of the Pearse Valley and near Lake Joyce. From Lake Joyce the party was moved to a camp at the snout of the Howard Glacier. The party was put in on 8.12.73 and taken out on 24.12.79.

C. WEATHER

Systematic weather observations were not made. No severe storms were experienced but about three of the seventeen days in the field were spent confined to the tent due to winds exceeding an estimated 30 knots.

D. COMMUNICATIONS

Morning and evening scheds were maintained with Scott Base except occasionally when the party was away from camp making surveys at the time of the 1830 sched. Communication from Scott Base was almost invariably excellent but on one occasion transmissions to Scott Base had to be relayed via Vanda.

E. LOSS/DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT

The radio aerial was broken near one end due to it becoming embedded in glacier ice but all was recovered, temporarily repaired and returned to the Post Office.

As mentioned above various mishaps befell the toboggan.

page 44

F. RECOMMENDATIONS

(i) A better selection of spare parts should be provided for the toboggans. A supply of nuts, bolts and locking washers is essential.

(ii) It appears that the roller bearing in the clutch should be lubricated occasionally. This was unknown to us and should be made known to future tobogganers.

page 45

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The 1979-80 Victoria University of Wellington Antarctic Expedition members would like to extend their gratitude and thanks to:

The University Grants Committee for shouldering the manor financial burden of the expedition.

The University Internal Research Committee for financial support and grants to expedition students.

Antarctic Division, DSIR, personnel for their continuous logistic, field and clerical assistance.

The U.S. National Science Foundation for providing generous air support by the US Navy VXE-6 Squadron.

The 1979-80 Scott Base staff and M.O.W. Drillers without whose help the drill project and later field events would not have been possible.

Also we wish to thank:
  • Heinz Miller for his considerable contribution to the gravity survey and tremendous companionship in the field.
  • The Engineering Workshop (VUW), especially Graham Hewitt for building our scientific equipment, in particular the underwater camera housings designed by Graham Rowe.
  • The Oceanographic Institute, particularly Dick Singleton for loaning and assistance with their camera equipment.
  • Jack Clark of the Wellington Gas Company for loaning the portable gas detector used at the MSSTS site.
  • Ted Hardy for printing MSSTS description forms.

We are especially grateful to the Trans-Antarctic Association for grants to support the participation of Dr B.C. McKelvey and Mr H. Brady.

page 46

VUWAE PUBLICATIONS - 1979

ANDERSON, J.M. 1979. The geology of the Taylor Group, Beacon Supergroup, Byrd Glacier area, Antarctica. N.Z. Antarctic Record, 2(1): 6-11.

BARRETT, P.J., 1979. Proposed drilling in McMurdo Sound. Memoirs of the National Institute of Polar Research Special Issue No.13, 231-239.

BARRETT, P.J. 1979. Antarctic riches - the search for wealth. N.Z. International Review, IV (6), 7-9.

BARRETT, P.J. 1979. The Non-marine Character of the Devonian Taylor Group (Beacon Supergroup) in South Victoria Land, Antarctica. In B. Laskar and C.S. Raja Rao (eds.), Fourth International Gondwana Symposium: Papers (Volume II): 478-80.

BURGESS, C.J. and LAMMERINK, W., 1979. Geology of the Shackleton Limestone (Cambrian) in the Byrd Glacier area. N.Z. Antarctic Record, 2(1): 12-16.

EGGERS, A.J. 1979. The Scallop Hill Formation, Brown Peninsula, McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. N.Z.J. Geol. Geophys. 22(3): 353-61.

KEYS, J.R. 1978. Victoria University of Wellington in Antarctica 1974-78. N.Z. Alpine Journal 31: 76-7.

KEYS, J.R. 1979. The Saline discharge at the terminus of Taylor Glacier. Antarctic J. of the United States. V.14(4).

KEYS, J.R., 1979. Distribution of salts in the McMurdo Region, with analyses from the saline discharge area at the terminus of Taylor Glacier. Antarctic Data Ser. No. 8 (Geol. Dept. Publ. No.14). Victoria Univ. of Wellington, 54 p.

ROBINSON, P. H., 1978. Stratigraphic Sections of the Glacial Drift, Taylor and Victoria Valleys, South Victoria Land. Antarctic Data Ser. No.6 (Geol. Dept. Publ. No.9), Victoria Univ. of Wellington, 39 p.

ROBINSON, P., 1979. Taylor Glacier glaciological and sedimentological data tables. Antarctic Data Ser. No. 7 (Geol. Dept. Publ. No.10), Victoria Univ. of Wellington, 33 p.

ROBINSON, P.H. 1979. Petrographic observations of ice samples at the snout of Taylor Glacier, Antarctica N.Z. Antarctic Record, 2(1), 17-19.

THESES

BENTLEY, P.N. 1979. Characteristics and Distribution of Windblown Sediment, Western McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. B.Sc. (Hons) thesis, Victoria Univ. of Wellington Library.

MROZCEK, C.R. 1979. Contact Metamorphism of some Triassic Sediments at Mt. Bastion, Antarctica. B.Sc. (Hons) thesis, Victoria Univ. of Wellington Library.

ROBINSON, P. H. 1979. Investigation into the entrainment, transport and deposition of debris by polar ice, with special reference to Taylor Glacier, Antarctica. Ph.D. thesis, Victoria Univ. of Wellington Library.

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APPENDIX I FLIGHT REQUIREMENTS VUWAE 24

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APPENDIX II ITINERARIES

Event 11a - Beacon Studies

Dec 2 Preparing field gear for field put in
3 Helo delay - not scheduled
3 Pyne, Ross and Walker put in by Helo (late afternoon) at Mt. Fleming
5 Reconnaissance to edge of icefalls overlooking the Wright Upper Glacier
6 Heavy falling snow, tent day and built igloo Latrine
7 Geological reconnaissance from camp site to the summit. Attempt to find reported occurrence of fossil bivalves was unsuccessful. Alan's birthday celebration.
8 Tent day
9-14 Worked on Weller Coal Measures outcrops - south ridge of Mt. Fleming
15 Prepatory food and fueld dump carried to Plateau level by Pyne, Ross and Walker for Horseshoe Mt. camp site
16 Tent day - marginal conditions for walk to Horseshoe Mt.
17 Pyne, Ross and Walker walk to Horseshoe Mt; single tent camp erected
18-20 Work at Horseshoe Mt.
21 Pyne, Ross and Walker return to Mt. Fleming camp. Equipment and rock samples left for later pick up by Helo
22 Pyne, Ross and Walker moved to Vanda Station by Helo (opportunity basis)
23 Acclimitisation at "Vanda Oasis"
24 Pyne, Ross and Walker accompanied by Tony Oliver (Event 1; M.O.W.) climb to Mt Jason to examine lower Beacon Supergroup exposures
25 Christmas Dinner
26 & 27 Waiting for Helo, return to Mt. Fleming
28 Pyne, Ross and Walker return to Mt. Fleming (late afternoon) and pick up Horseshoe Mt. equipment and samples
29 & 30 Remaining work on coal measures completed
31 Tent day
Jan 1 Examination of Aztec Siltstone exposures (north ridge) for fish fossils
2 Pyne, Ross and Walker to Shapeless Mt.
3-6 Work at Shapeless Mt.
7 Pyne, Ross and Walker to Scott Base
8-11 Packing field gear and remaining MSSTS equipment for shipment to Wellington
12 Ross and Walker to Christchurch
15 Pyne to Christchurch
Post MSSTS (after Dec 1)
Days at Scott Base 9
Days in field 34
Travel 8page 49
Tent days and Helo waits 9
Work 25
Days in Antarctica (includes MSSTS project)
Pyne 91
Ross 88
Walker 83

Event 11b - Cenozoic Studies (Itinerary: includes area covered)

Dec 5 Departed Scott Base 1640 hrs for Coombs Hills via Marble Point (refueling). Camp established at approximately 2000 m, 5 km northwest of Mt Brooke; overlooking the Odell Glacier. Before returning the helicopter briefly deposited the party (in perfect weather conditionw) on small terrace at western end of summit ridge of Mt Brooke. The helicopter altimeter suggests the peak to be well over 2800 m (cf. 1:250 000 Convoy Range map).
6 Traversed north and east from campsite and returned via Odell Glacier. Weather overcast.
7 Traversed west and south from campsite and then completed a circuit via the northern foot of Mt Brooke back to camp from the south southeast. Weather overcast.
8 Gale. Tent day.
9 Gale. Tent day.
10 Gale. Tent day.
11 Gale. Tent day.
12 Traversed eastern flank of Mt Brooke and 2 km along southern ridge. (The party was first lifted from campsite to the northeastern foot of Mt Brooke by helicopter returning to McMurdo Station from S.058 (Allen Hills)). Returning again along the eastern side of Mt Brooke the party then climbed the northern face up onto the terrace at the western end. Without the guiding of Woodford this climb would not have been completed. On the terrace Brady succeeded in excavating a fossil glacial striated pavement.
13 Rest day - a.m. Odell Glacier, north of camp - p.m.
14 Weather conditions marginal. Fine but with gale force winds exceeding 30 knots. Traversed west to the Plateau edge.
15 Moved by helicopter to new campsite on north side of Coombs Hills approximately 3.5 km west of Curreen Glacier. The campsite, on very rough moraine, was in a tributary cirque at the glacier edge (ca. 1600 m). Traversed (climbed) southeast through Coombs Hills and then turned northwest to ascend high country overlooking the Odell Glacier.
16 Gale. Tent day.
17 Stayed in vicinity of camp awaiting helicopter shift. Finally cancelled due to bad weather in McMurdo Sound region.
18 Weather fine but helicopter movements cancelled due to bad weather in McMurdo Sound region. Traversed along Odell Glacier side, around northeastern end of Coombs Hills onto the Curreen Glacier. Excellent exposure of pre-Pleistocene tills examined.page 50
19 Moved 1700 hrs to Bull Pass. Camp set up at twin tarns at 625 m. H. Brady returned to Scott Base.
20 Traversed southeastern ridge of Mt Jason (to approximately 1400 m) and then descended to floor of Wright Valley (to approximately 160 m) collecting specimens for fission track analysis. Returned to campsite.
21 Crossed via Bull Pass to southern shore of Lake Vida and then ascended northern face of Mt Cerberus to 1400 m collecting specimens for fission track analysis. Continued on through Olympus Range back to Bull Pass.
22 Returned by helicopter to Scott Base arriving approximately 1400 hrs.
Post MSSTS (After December 3)
Days at Scott Base appx.7
Days in the field 17
Travel 3
Tent days and helo waits 7
Work 7
Days in Antarctica (includes MSSTS project)
Brady 35
McKelvey 43

Event 11c - Slope Processes

Dec. 4-7 Preparing field gear, Scott Base
8 Waghorn and Wright to Pearse Valley by Helo.
8-12 Work in upper and lower Pearse Valley mapping moraines.
13 Waghorn and Wright to Scott Base
14 Waghorn and Wright to Christchurch.
Post MSSTS (after Dec. 3)
Days at Scott Base 4
Days in the field 6
Travel 3
Tent days etc. 0
Work 5
Days in Antarctica (includes MSSTS project)
Waghorn 59
Wright 59

Event 12 - Marine Seismic Survey

Feb. 5 K12 party Christchurch to Scott Base
7 Board USCG icebreaker "Glacier" at McMurdo Station
7-11 Seismic survey begun in McMurdo Sound
11-20 Return to Wellington onboard "Glacier"page 51
Days at Scott Base 2
Work days onboard 4
Travel days onboard 10
Days onboard "Glacier" (in Antarctica and return to Wgtn) 14

Event 13 - Dry Valleys Gravity Survey

Dec. 7 Scott Base preparing equipment.
8 Sissons, Miller by helo to Camp I on Taylor G1. at head of Pearse Valley.
9 Camp I to Northwest Mountain and return by motor toboggan, 7 gravity stations.
10 Camp I to Arena Valley and return by motor toboggan, 1 gravity station.
11 Camp I down Pearse Valley to moraine overlooking Lake Joyce and return on foot, 8 gravity stations.
12 At Camp I weather fine but windy.
13 Camp I to Trig 1267 in Friis Hills and return on foot, 1 gravity station.
14 Camp I to Finger Mountain and return by motor toboggan, 1 gravity station. Camp I to Camp II on the Taylor Glacier near Lake Joyce by motor toboggan with 1 sledge.
15 Camp II to lowest altitude gravity station in Pearse Valley and return on foot.
16 At Camp II, fine but windy.
17 Camp II to true right of Taylor G1. near Knob head by toboggan, 1 Gravity station toboggan break, return to Camp II on foot.
18 At Camp II to true left of Taylor G1. 3 km upstream and return, on foot, 1 gravity station.
20 At Camp II awaiting move by helo.
21 Camp II to Camp III at snout of Howard G1. by helo, 7 gravity stations observed en route.
22 Camp III to New Harbour and return on foot, 6 gravity stations.
23 Camp III to 3 km upstream in Taylor Valley and return, on foot, 1 gravity station. Camp III to Lake Fryxell and return, on foot, 1 barometric height observation.
24 Helo to Scott Base.
25 to 29 At Scott Base.
30 Scott Base, New Harbour, Bernacchi Bay, Cape Chocolate, Scott Base by Helo. Gravity tie far end stations of sea ice gravity survey.
31 Scott Base Blue Glacier Daley Is. Scott Base by helo. 9 gravity station.
Jan. 1-2 At Scott Base.
3 Scott Base, Taylor Valley, lower Ferrar Valley Scott Base, gravity tie by Helo.
4 Sissons to Christchurch.
5-8 Miller at Scott Base.
9 Miller by helo Scott Base, Daley Is, Cape Chocolate, Brown Penn, Black Is, Scott Base, 5 gravity stations.page 52
10 At Scott Base.
11 By helo. Scott Base, Cape Reyds, Cape Bind, Cape Evans, Scott Base, Windless Bight, Cape Evans, Scott Base, 9 gravity stations.
12 By helo to Vanda. Small scale gravity survey in Wright Valley.
13-15 At Vanda.
16 Vanda to Scott Base.
Post MSSTS (after Dec. 3)
Sissons Miller
Days at Scott Base 16 24
Days in field 16 19
Travel 3 5
Tent days and helo waits 4 4
Work 18 22
Days in Antarctica (includes MSSTS project)
Miller 65
Sissons 128
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APPENDIX III - WEATHER OBSERVATIONS

Event 11a Beacon Studies, Mt. Fleming

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Event 11a Beacon Studies Horseshoe Mt and Mt Fleming

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Event 11a Beacon Studies Shapeless Mt

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Event 11b Cenozoic Studies Coombs Hills (3.5 miles NW of Mt Brooke)

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PLATE I. MSSTS Drilling rig (left) and campsite. Ferrar Valley in the background (right).

PLATE I. MSSTS Drilling rig (left) and campsite. Ferrar Valley in the background (right).

PLATE II. MSSTS camp. Mess Jamesway on the left.

PLATE II. MSSTS camp. Mess Jamesway on the left.

PLATE III. Construction of the drilling rig. D4 doxer was used to pull motor on to the drilling platform.

PLATE III. Construction of the drilling rig. D4 doxer was used to pull motor on to the drilling platform.

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PLATE IV. Guy Holmes (driller) and Gerry Haugh (off-sider) join a new section of rod to the drill string.

PLATE IV. Guy Holmes (driller) and Gerry Haugh (off-sider) join a new section of rod to the drill string.

PLATE V. Inside the Science Hut, showing core bench and core in splits.

PLATE V. Inside the Science Hut, showing core bench and core in splits.

PLATE IV. BQ core from ca. 220 m below the sea floor.

PLATE IV. BQ core from ca. 220 m below the sea floor.

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PLATE VII. Steve Bressler (USGS) coring samples for paleomagnetic studies, using a drill press in the carpenter′s workshop at Scott Base.

PLATE VII. Steve Bressler (USGS) coring samples for paleomagnetic studies, using a drill press in the carpenter′s workshop at Scott Base.

PLATE VIII. Barry Walker (VUW) using a petrographic microscope for smear slide analysis of core. Biolab. (Scott Base)

PLATE VIII. Barry Walker (VUW) using a petrographic microscope for smear slide analysis of core. Biolab. (Scott Base)

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PLATE XI. Diamictite (d), interbedded with carbonaceous shale (sh) and sandstone lenses (st) are lithologies of the Metschel Tillite Formation at Mt. Fleming.

PLATE XI. Diamictite (d), interbedded with carbonaceous shale (sh) and sandstone lenses (st) are lithologies of the Metschel Tillite Formation at Mt. Fleming.

PLATE X. Symmetrical ripples are formed in a thin calcareous bed in the Weller Coal Measures at Mt. Fleming.

PLATE X. Symmetrical ripples are formed in a thin calcareous bed in the Weller Coal Measures at Mt. Fleming.

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PLATE XI. Blue Plateau ice encompasses the near-horizontal Beacon strata of Horseshoe Mountain immediately west of Mt. Fleming. Location of Plate XII arrowed.

PLATE XI. Blue Plateau ice encompasses the near-horizontal Beacon strata of Horseshoe Mountain immediately west of Mt. Fleming. Location of Plate XII arrowed.

PLATE XIII. Extensive planar cross beds are preserved in hastily sandstone (member B) which forms which forms an extensive platform at Horseshoe Mtn. (Plate XI arrowed)

PLATE XIII. Extensive planar cross beds are preserved in hastily sandstone (member B) which forms which forms an extensive platform at Horseshoe Mtn. (Plate XI arrowed)

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PLATE XIII. Intrepid VUWAE geologists measuring with the aid of the Jacob staff after a recent snow fall (Horseshoe Mtn.).

PLATE XIII. Intrepid VUWAE geologists measuring with the aid of the Jacob staff after a recent snow fall (Horseshoe Mtn.).

PLATE XIV. Hummocky alpine moraines are preserved near ice covered Lake Sigrid in the Pearce Valley.

PLATE XIV. Hummocky alpine moraines are preserved near ice covered Lake Sigrid in the Pearce Valley.