Immediate report of Victoria University of Wellington Antarctic Expedition 1989-90: VUWAE 34
VUWAE 34 SUMMARY
VUWAE 34 SUMMARY
Antarctic Bottom Currents
The purpose of this project is to investigate mud-carrying bottom currents in Granite Harbour. Such currents have been suggested as an explanation for the extensive mud deposits in basins of the western Ross Sea.
Mount Erebus Eruption Mechanism Study
This year's programme will concentrate on the classification of volcanic earthquakes into closely similar types or families. Scientists will work in Antarctica from mid-November to mid-December with the experiments being monitored from Scott Base year-round.
Contempary Processes in Miers Valley
This study will collect information to quantify the mass balance of the glacier-river-lake system of the valley such as the relationship between incoming solar radiation and glacier melt and stream flows. The nature of the sediment being transported within the system will also be studied.
Roes Sea Region During Beacon Times
The purpose of this project is to develop a model for the changing geography of the Ross Sea region from about 400 to about 180 million years ago, during the deposition of Beacon strata. This is the second year of a three year programme.
West Antarctic Volcano Exploration
This programme is part of an international project which is examining the tectonic evolution of the Antarctic sector of the Pacific Margin. The field programme will concentrate on the collection of mantle and lower crustal xenothiths.
Optical Properties of Sea Ice
This is a joint project between the Physics and Engineering Laboratory of the DSIR and Victoria University of Wellington. This seasons work will investigate depth dependant factors controlling the interaction of light with sea ice.