Other formats

    Adobe Portable Document Format file (facsimile images)   TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

Immediate Report of Victoria University Of Wellington Antarctic Expedition 1987-88: VUWAE 32

Introduction

Introduction

This programme involved a five-person party working from the fast ice in the southwestern Ross Sea. Sea floor samples were taken along eight shore-normal transects from Blue Glacier to Tripp Bay and at Cape Armitage (Figure 1). The transects represent a range of coastal types (exposed to embayed) with a variety of substrates, including bedrock, gravel, sand, mud and sponge mat.

We travelled on the fast sea ice by D-3 tractor pulling three Cantago sledges and used a Grizzly toboggan for bathymetry surveys and route finding. The first sledge was set up as a sea ice drilling platform, with hydrographic winch, drill and drill mast, grab, fuel and tools. The second sledge carried the NZ-1 wannigan, which is fitted with bunks, table, desk and small kitchen. This was used as a laboratory for mixing preservative for the sediment samples, as a dry lab for the IBM PC, used for programming and interrogating the S4 current meter, and as a kitchen and working area. The third sledge carried the remaining cargo, such as tents, personal baggage, the Grizzly when not in use, further fuel and miscellaneous cargo. A VUW ski trailer for use with the Grizzly was towed last.

page 4
Figure 1. Map showing the eight nearshore seafloor sampling transects.

Figure 1. Map showing the eight nearshore seafloor sampling transects.

  1. Explorers Cove New Harbour
  2. Cape Bernacchi
  3. Cape Roberts
  4. Tripp Island
  5. Gregory Island
  6. Dunlop Island
  7. Blue Glacier
  8. Cape Armitage