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Victoria University Antarctic Research Expedition Science and Logistics Reports 1999-2000: VUWAE 44

ANTARCTICA NEW ZEALAND REPORT NO 2: LOGISTIC REPORT

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LOGISTICS REPORT

Event K042 Glacial History of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet at Allan Hills

Antarctica New Zealand 1999/2000

ANTARCTICA NEW ZEALAND REPORT NO 2: LOGISTIC REPORT

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Note: this document reports on the activities of two coincident studies conducted under the K042 event. Where necessary for clarity, details and comments for the two studies will be presented separately.

1 Aims

VUW

This project is a detailed study of ancient glacial deposits termed the Sinus Group at Allan Hills, Southern Victoria Land, Antarctica. The Sirius Group is a collection of Neogene deposits that crop out at high elevations (mostly >1500 m) throughout the Transantarctic Mountains (TAM). Allan Hills occupies a low point in the TAM, making the site more susceptible to overriding by the EAIS during minor ice volume fluctuations. The aim of this project is to show whether the Sirius Group was deposited by valley glacier or continental ice sheet, by wet- or dry-based glacial ice, by a single depositional event or several overriding events and to determine paleoflow direction.

This past field season ran from mid-November 1999 to mid-January 2000 at Allan Hills during which time field mapping of early glacial deposits was continued from last season. The Sirius Group takes the form of seven patches of thin debris with a total area of 2 km2. From these, eight outcrops were selected for detailed description and sampling. The collected data include: orientations of 300 stones, 270 linear glacial abrasions and 90 planar deformational structures. In addition, 37 rock samples were collected for laboratory analysis. Sample processing has not yet begun but evidence indicates wet-based glacial deposition. Although the number of advances is not yet known, the work thus far suggests flow from the southwest and west. The presence of a cirque incised into a surface capped with Sirius deposits on the south side of Trudge Valley reveals a later phase of local temperate ice before the present cold ice sheet formed.

Univ. of Amsterdam

1)Build upon research carried out by Hiemstra and van der Meer (1999) in their field report for the Netherlands Centre for Geo-ecological research titled: Neogene Glacial History of the Allan Hills, South Victoria Land, Antarctica. This would include quantification of Sirius related glacio-tectonic bedrock deformation structures and further descriptions and sketches.
2)Collect spatially and stratigraphically variable Sirius diamict samples for analyses by micromorphology. Wherever these micromorphology samples are taken, a small sample will also be taken for bulk texture analysis. Determine whether this is possible with a University of Amsterdam hand held drill or by simply removing a block of diamict using a chisel and geological hammer.
3)Describe, sketch and quantify glacio-tectonic deformation of bedrock related to a recent advance of the Manhaul glacier. Collect spatially variable samples of Manhaul glacial diamict associated with the glacio-tectonic deformed bedrock for analysis by micromorphology. Wherever these micromorphology samples are taken, a small sample will also be taken for bulk texture analysis.
4)Collect samples of 'sublimation till' from the snout of Taylor glacier and Suess glacier, Taylor Valley for analysis by micromorphology.
5)Collect samples from the debris-laden basal layer of Taylor glacier itself for micromorphology analysis.
6)Determine the practicality of undertaking pre-impregnation of unconsolidated sediments in the Antarctic field, with daily temperatures considerably below zero.

2 Planning

Discuss the New Zealand pre-Antarctic planning phase of your expedition, detailing any suggestions for improvements: page break
i

With the application process;

No suggestions for improvements.

ii

With Antarctica New Zealand staff;

The efforts of Paul Woodgate in helping us during the preparatory stages of our expedition are greatly appreciated.

iii

Provision of maps and aerial photographs;

All maps and aerial photographs were obtained the previous season from outside sources. However, the material obtained is rather lacking. Given the increase in activity in and around Allan Hills we feel that there should be good quality maps of all of Allan Hills at a scale of 1:10 000.

iv

To the Preseason Information.

No suggestions for improvements.

v

To Medicals, documentation and flights to Antarctica.

Medicals were conducted at an on-campus clinic by a general practitioner. No suggestions for improvements. Our flight south from Christchurch was delayed two days because of poor weather at McMurdo. We were nicely looked after at the Rusley Inn and enjoyed our stay there. The three hour delay notices for the flights were frustrating but that can't be helped. We were grateful to receive the use of a van for an afternoon to allow us to explore the outer environs of Christchurch.

3 Cargo

VUW

We transported one kerosene heater and one large wooden box containing: four empty wooden rock boxes and one 10 kg box of paper readings, maps and airphotos.

Univ. of Amsterdam

A hand held drill and handle bars were transported by air to Antarctica New Zealand, Christchurch from the University of Amsterdam. They were labelled for the attention of Paul Woodgate. There were no problems transporting the cargo and it arrived at Scott Base in ample time for the field season.

Excellent support provided by 'Cargo Chris' in shipping field samples from Scott Base to Christchurch, New Zealand.

We did not experience any problems related to packaging, transport of chemicals, compressed gases, excess hand baggage etc.

4 Personnel

Prof. Peter Barrett (supervisor for Holme and Atkins - Victoria University of Wellington)
Philip Holme (PhD student, principal investigator (for P. Barrett) - Victoria University of Wellington)
Jeremy Mitchell (MSc student, field assistant to Holme - Victoria University of Wellington)
Cliff Atkins (PhD student - Victoria University of Wellington)
Dr. Stephen Hicock (co-supervisor for Holme - University of Western Ontario)
Prof. Jaap van der Meer (supervisor to Lloyd-Davies - University of Amsterdam)
Mark Lloyd-Davies (PhD student - University of Amsterdam)
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5 Preparations for the Field

As applicable discuss your initial period at Scott Base relating to:
i

Reception, planning for your event and liaison where appropriate;

When we first got off the plane upon arriving in Antarctica we were quickly rushed into vehicles and not permitted more than two minutes to look around and absorb the environment. This was regrettable because for three of us it was our first time and it is a significant moment for any new arrival. Other than that everything was acceptable.

ii

Availability and condition of equipment received by your event Any work required by your party to make the equipment serviceable should be noted;

All equipment supplied by Antarctica New Zealand was received in good working order.

ii

Field training and field party equipment 'shakedown' journey (if applicable);

Field training (AFT) was very applicable to our event and most members benefited considerably from the training. One of our members was highly skilled in outdoor survival craft so the training was nothing new to him. No equipment 'shakedown' was required.

iv

Delays at Scott Base, whatever the cause.

There were no delays at Scott Base prior to our being transported to the field. Our flight south from Christchurch was delayed two days due to poor weather at McMurdo.

If you feel that any service was poorly carried out by support staff at Scott Base, please make a note but include a positive recommendation for improvement of this service.

Services carried out by support staff at Scott Base were fully satisfactory. The staff at Scott Base were always helpful and would often work beyond the scope of their job to see us right.

6 Field Transport

As applicable report on the following:
i

Vehicles

No vehicles were used.

ii

Aircraft Operations

Discuss the success or otherwise of all aircraft, helicopter or other operations supporting your event

VUW

Most helicopter operations conducted in support of our event were completely satisfactory. The only exception to this was the delay caused by the crash of the 3-Squadron helicopter. This unfortunate event resulted in a one week delay in transporting two event members to our field site and the relocation of another member to a different event.

Univ. of Amsterdam

The helicopter crash which took place nearly jeopardised my field season at Taylor Valley, which, if that had been the case, would have been both frustrating and potentially detrimental to my PhD. Regardless the crash had it's hidden benefits, as I needed to page break work very hard for three days so to produce a week's worth of research (as I originally planned to do). Having achieved this in three days, I had an unexpected two days in Taylor Valley owed to poor weather. This provided me the opportunity to visit and sample from Suess glacier.

All other helicopter operations were fine. I would like Antarctica New Zealand to encourage pilots who are dropping off events at a field site for the first time to shut down whilst the members orientate themselves and test the radio equipment. K042 were fine, but I hear it is not always consistent practise.

Describe the containerisation of cargo, total flight weights, special handling of dangerous cargo, (eg motor toboggan, fuel tanks) and pre-planning meetings.

Cargo for our helo flights was largely contained in individual boxes and packs. No special handling of cargo was necessary because the only dangerous cargo we had was fuel which was stored in the tail section of the helo except for 60 L drums. Total flight weights (estimated from weights given in the ANZ field manual and probably accurate to within 150 lbs.) are as follows: (Note: this list does not include a flight which came in after Helo 4 to supply cargo which was mistakenly not included on Helo 4.)

  • Helo 1 (20/11/99 - Insertion), aircraft - Bell 212, approx. weight 1600 lbs.
  • Helo 2 (06/12/99 - resupply 1), aircraft - Bell 212, approx. weight 1300 lbs.
  • Helo 3 (14/12/99 - resupply 2), aircraft - Bell 212, approx. weight 1470 lbs.
  • Helo 4 (18/12/99 - resupply 3), aircraft - Bell 212, approx. weight 1200 lbs.
  • Helo 5 (20/01/00 - partial pullout), aircraft - Bell 212, approx. weight 1600 lbs.
  • Helo 6 (21/01/00 - final pullout), aircraft - Bell 212, approx. weight 1600 lbs.

As appropriate, detail the suitability of any skiways used. Clearly mark these on your report map and provide GPS coordinates where possible.

No skiways were used.

iiiShip Operations.

No ships were used except to transport rock samples to New Zealand at the close of the season.

7 Event Diary

Describe your field activities and movements in a concise day-by-day diary form, including main activities, where the party stayed (hut, description of camp site) and if members are at different locations. (Note this and numbers at each location) Record general comments relating to weather, route finding problems, dangerous icefalls or crevasse fields (mark on map also), suitable camp sites, surface conditions encountered etc. Briefly outline your efforts to accomplish the aims of your science programme.

Allan Hills 1999/2000 Events log for P. Holme

Note: event diaries for other event members were not available at this time. Every night, all event members stayed at the Main Camp except where noted. No icefalls or crevasse fields were encountered because our event was based on a nunatak and our research was geological so we travelled on rock almost the whole time.

Day Date Location Activity
01 20/11/99 camp insertion and camp setup
02 21/11/99 camp camp setup
03 22/11/99 Triangle recce south to the Triangle area
04 23/11/99 Northwest Platform recce west across Northwest Platform and up onto west edge of Allan Hills. Found section with good stratigraphic contactspage break
05 24/11/99 Boulder Ridge recce east to Boulder Ridge
06 25/11/99 Echo Gully looked for Hiemstra's sections and found excellent section
07 26/11/99 helped Mark look for Hiemstra's sections
08 27/11/99 did write-up summary of preceding events
09 28/11/99 Sec 01 worked on Section 01
10 29/11/99 Sec 01 worked on Section 01
11 30/11/99 Sec 01 worked on Section 01
12 01/12/99 Manhaul snout to northeast platform recce along Manhaul snout and out to northeast platform
13 02/12/99 just south of the Northwest Platform recce – found potential section
14 03/12/99 Northwest Platform recce, outcrop investigation
15 04/12/99 camp sore knee – did paperwork
16 05/12/99 Northwest Platform section 03
17 06/12/99 Northwest Platform section 03
18 07/12/99 Northwest Platform recce
19 08/12/99 Triangle, Boulder Ridge recce
20 09/12/99 ? recce
21 10/12/99 ? recce
22 11/12/99 Lake valley, Trudge valley recce
23 12/12/99 south to the Rim recce – looking for Sirius Group
24 13/12/99 camp paperwork
25 14/12/99 along Manhaul snout to Lake valley recce
26 15/12/99 central Allan Hills south of the central dyke GPS measurements of the southern limit of the Beacon butter
27 16/12/99 Echo gully, Trudge valley recce and GPS measurements of outcrops and striated surfaces
28 17/12/99 South limb recce, looking for Sirius Group deposits
29 18/12/99 camp rest
30 19/12/99 Camp valley section 03
31 20/12/99 Camp valley section 03
32 21/12/99 Camp valley section 03
33 22/12/99 Camp valley section 03
34 23/12/99 Camp valley section 03
35 24/12/99 Camp valley and contra ridge recce
36 25/12/99 camp Christmas
37 26/12/99 camp Christmas
38 27/12/99 Northwest Platform, Camp valley, contra ridge outcrop tour
39 28/12/99 contra ridge recce
40 29/12/99 contra ridge section 04
41 30/12/99 central and southern Allan Hills (north of the Rim) recce and sampling
42 31/12/99 contra ridge section 04
43 01/01/00 camp New Year's Day
44 02/01/00 contra ridge section 05
45 03/01/00 contra ridge outcrop investigation
46 04/01/00 Trudge valley Beta camp setup
47 05/01/00 north flank of Trudge valley mapping
48 06/01/00 Beta camp rest
49 07/01/00 floor and south ridge of Trudge valley recce
50 08/01/00 south ridge of Trudge valley recce
51 09/01/00 south ridge of Trudge valley recce
52 10/01/00 south rim of gully (SE gully) in southeast corner of Trudge valley section 06page break
53 11/01/00 gully (Echo gully) In southwest corner of Trudge valley section 07, outcrop investigation
54 12/01/00 Echo gully section 07, outcrop investigation
55 13/01/00 Echo gully section 07, outcrop investigation
56 14/01/00 SE gully section 06, outcrop investigation
57 15/01/00 north flank of Trudge valley recce and section 08 outcrop investigation
58 16/01/00
59 17/01/00 north flank of Trudge valley mapping and section 08 outcrop description
60 18/01/00 north flank of Trudge valley mapping and section 08 outcrop description
61 19/01/00 Echo gully section 07 outcrop description
62 20/01/00 Echo gully/Beta camp section 07 and breakdown/pullout of Beta camp
63 21/01/00 camp/Scott Base pullout of Alpha camp and return to Scott Base
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8 Event Map

Append a detailed sketch map to show vehicle routes, aircraft landing sites, dangerous areas, depots and camp sites etc. Highlight any inaccuracies on existing topographical maps and provide GPS coordinates where possible.

Figure 1. General geology of central Allan Hills highlighting distribution of Sirius Group deposits.

Figure 1. General geology of central Allan Hills highlighting distribution of Sirius Group deposits.

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9 Weather

1999-2000 Field season Allan Hills Weather Reports. (See note below.)

Note: Weather measurements were taken only on those days when helo visits were expected. Regular records were not kept.

Date Time (24h) Te mp °C Wind Spd (Kts) Wind Dir. Cloud Cover Cloud Ht. (m) Visibility (m) Sfc Def'n Horiz Def'n Weather
30/12/99 0830 −16 10 gust 20 S 2/8 high 6000 good good
01/12/99 0830 −17 15 gust 30 S 0/8 unlim. >10000 good good
01/12/99 2030 −18 10 gust 25 S 0/8 unlim. >10000 fair good
06/12/99 ? −12 3 gust 4 ESE 8/8 >2000 >10000 good good
12/12/99 ? −14 8 N 8/8 1700 500 poor poor light snow
13/12/99 0745 −14 4 gust 5 S 8/8 1000 1000 poor poor
13/12/99 1200 −11 2 E 5/8 2000 5000 fair fair
13/12/99 2030 −12 0 ... 5/8 1800 2000 good good
14/12/99 0700 −14 4 gust 7 NW 2/8 4000 8000 good good
14/12/99 0900 −14 10 gust 12 W 1/8 >4000 8000 good good
27/12/99 0700 −11 1 gust 4 NW 6/8 >2000 8000 good good
27/12/99 0900 −10 3 gust 5 NW 7/8 2000 >10000 fair good
28/12/99 0700 −12 8 gust 12 SW 2/8 >3000 8000 good good
28/12/99 1000 −10 10 gust 12 SW 3/8 >2000 8000 good good

The weather at Allan Hills during the 1999-2000 season did not overly hinder our party movements and decisions. Given the geological nature of our work, the only significant restricting weather condition was wind. The average wind speed over the entire field season was approximately 8-12 knots, but daily conditions fluctuated considerably about this mean, with the strongest winds exceeding 50 knots (the maximum limit readable by our anemometer). On windy days (25 knots gusting 30 knots) it became quite uncomfortable to remain standing at an outcrop for more than an hour even when wearing full ECW gear because our hands got cold. Nosewiper mitts were not useful because they were too cumbersome. During extreme weather conditions event members simply pursued tasks which were less susceptible. For the first couple of weeks the temperature was commonly −21 to −17°C. It gradually warmed to daily averages in the −12 to −8 °C range around Christmas and New Year's before slowly decreasing to −16 to −12°C by the time we left on January 21, 2000.

Particular note should be made here about weather conditions in Trudge Valley. It is windier there than Camp Valley and in its eastern half, the dominant wind direction is easterly, not southerly as it is in the rest of Allan Hills. This had a significant impact on the activities of the inhabitant(s) of Beta Camp, located there from Jan 4 − 20, 2000. This information should be passed on to subsequent parties that intend to camp in Trudge Valley.

10 Accidents, incidents or hazards

No accidents or incidents occurred to K042 event members during the 1999-2000 field season.

11 Field Equipment

Comment (if appropriate) on any of the following: page break
i

The quality, suitability and performance of field clothing issued to you by Antarctica New Zealand;

In general the suitability and performance of the field clothing issued to us by ANZ were excellent. Our fieldsite is at 1600 m elevation and experiences high winds. The clothing supplied to us enabled us work well in the field despite these conditions.

One nosewiper mitt was lost during high winds, and one leather glove was misplaced (P. Cleary was notified of these losses upon our return to Scott Base). The clothing we returned endured reasonable wear and tear during our field season and will be useable again next season.

One recommendation would be that 'wind stopper' gloves (not nose wipers, but ones which allow dexterity) are made available for those persons working on or near the polar plateau.

ii

The performance and design of tents, technical climbing equipment, kitchen gear and sledges,

We were issued Polar tents, Olympus tents and an Endura tent. The Polar tents were excellent (and quite new). I would not be content to live at our fieldsite in any other tent. One of our event members slept in an Olympus tent and found it to be a very noisy due to it flapping in the wind even though it was oriented correctly with respect to the prevailing wind direction and dug down 40 cm into the snow with a snow wall built to protect it. We had the Endura tent for only a few days, but really appreciated its roominess compared to Polar tents. It is not an easy tent to erect.

Of all of this gear, only one crampon and two rubber seals for the thermoses failed during the field season.

iii

The 20 person day ration box system; detail suggestions to improve the packaging of items or improve palatability and calorific value. Comment on Scott Base diet;

The 20 person day ration box system provides good food and good nutrition and we do not have any major problems with it. It should be noted however that many of the Bumper Bars were up to two years over their expiry dates and did not taste very good. In addition, we suggest the following changes: increase the number of Raro packages in each box by 50%, decrease the amount of margarine in each box – we used about 10% of what was given to us, decrease the number of soup packages in each box.

With regard to Scott Base, the diet there was great. Andrew was a fantastic chef and I hope he's there again next year. Chris was a pretty good cook too.

In all cases fully explain any modification made by you to this equipment during the season. Indicate the general condition of items returned to Scott Base and report any lost equipment

Positive suggestions are encouraged for improvement to all equipment

12 Radio Communications

iReport on the suitability and effectiveness of the radio equipment issued to you at Scott Base. Comment on battery power, condition of aerials and utilisation of solar panels.

We had two separate radio setups: an HF unit to communicate with Scott Base and two handheld VHF units for communicating line-of-sight amongst ourselves. We were supplied with a double 12 V battery to power the HF radio and we found the 'B' battery to be much more reliable than the 'A' battery. When using the 'A' battery our radio would often cut out (lose all power) during a radio sked and we would have to quickly switch to page break battery 'B'. The VHF units worked quite well. The solar panels kept the batteries well charged. During the last couple of weeks a wind storm broke the wire part of our HF aerial (without snapping the plastic casing) causing increased difficulty in contacting Scott Base. We didn't know the aerial was broken until we dismantled the camp at the end of the season.

We feel that a very useful addition to the radio kit would be an inexpensive voltmeter so that we can tell how well our batteries are charged. This would be especially useful for the VHF batteries because their charges last for such a short time.

iiReport on reception/transmission conditions and suitability of radio sked timing. Note particularly any periods during your field trip, or regions you visited, where radio reception was especially bad or unexpectedly good. Comment on conditions where repeater stations were used.

In general our communications with Scott Base were loud and clear. We feel that it is not necessary to sked with Scott Base every 12 hours and feel that a sked every 24 hours would suffice.

iiiComment on Scott Base's general efficiency during radio skeds in providing details of forthcoming field movements (eg helicopters), weather forecasts, resupply, or news service.

Scott Base's general efficiency in providing information during skeds was fine. We very much appreciated the relaxed and chatty approach of two radio operators, Matt and Stephen. We were in the field for quite a while and it was really nice to be able to talk to someone on the radio and have them read the headlines and the sports news to us. We also thought it was great that they would read jokes to us as well. It put us in good spirits.

We found that there were some considerable miscommunications between us and the Operations Manager, Peter Cleary, with regard to helo lift capabilities and cargo. An example was when four of our event members were returned to Scott Base. We had previously confirmed with Peter that while the helo was at our field site we would use it to fly to the top of a nearby peak (Mt. Brooke) to investigate findings from a previous group. Peter advised us that the helo could only take four persons and no cargo to the peak because of the elevation. Once the helo arrived, the pilots assured us that they could take the four persons and the full amount of retro cargo (approx. 800 lbs) to the top of the peak and then continue on to Scott Base without a problem. Had we known this we could have left the cargo and taken six persons up instead. We realise the position of Antarctica New Zealand and the Operations Manager in dealing with field party safety, but feel that Peter is overly and restrictively cautious in allowing the movements of persons in the field with regard to air transport.

ivRemember that you are strongly encouraged to keep a detailed radio log while in the field, in particular if you are a deep field party. The log is to be given to the Operations Manager when returning your radio at Scott Base. Such a log can become a vital and lifesaving source of information in the event of a Search & Rescue operation and can become an important LEGAL document.

We wish to point out that at no point during our orientation at Scott Base were we recommended to keep a detailed radio log while in the field.

We feel that as part of the orientation it would be very beneficial to have a briefing from the Comms Operators to orient all event members with proper radio procedure. Although we did not experience any significant difficulties during our field season, all our knowledge relating to this came from the field manual. The meeting would also serve the purpose of allowing field event members to get to know the Comms Ops since they are the only outside people that we will have any contact with for the next couple of months.

13 Scott Base and Arrival Heights Laboratory Facilities

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We did not use any of the Scott Base or Arrival Heights laboratory facilities.

14 Refuge and Research Huts

We did not occupy any United States or New Zealand (or any other) refuge or research huts.

15 Environmental Impact

Information from this section helps us to assess the environmental (including cumulative) impacts and overall environmental performance of New Zealand's activities each year. This reporting is a requirement of the legislation which implements the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty in New Zealand. It also forms the basis for annual input into Antarctica New Zealand's environmental database. Please be as specific as possible. For locations occupied, provide the site or protected area name, and GPS coordinates or map references where appropriate.

i.From your event diary, please summarise for each site visit made:
  • Location (for field camps please give coordinates)
  • Dates occupied
  • Total days (or part days) spent at site
  • Maximum number of people at site
  • Total person-days spent at site (e.g. 5 people on site for 3 days = 15 person days)
  • Main activity undertaken (e.g. soil sampling, penguin census, hut maintenance)

If possible, please provide a map of the sites visited, particularly for any rarely visited sites which may not be in the database. For field camps, indicate whether an existing campsite was used.

1)Site 1: location - Camp Valley (76°41′42″ S, 159°39′36″ E); occupied -20/11/99 to 21/01/00; total days – 63; maximum personnel – 7; total person-days - 217; activities - geological mapping, outcrop description and rock sampling.
2)Site 2: location - Trudge Valley (Beta camp) (approx. 76°42′18″ S, 159°47′24″ E); occupied - 4/01/00 – 20/01/00; total days – 17; maximum personnel – 2; total person-days – 20; activities - geological mapping, outcrop description and rock sampling.
ii.

For any protected areas visited (including historic huts), provide details of:

No protected areas were visited.

iii.

Detail any interference with terrestrial, freshwater or marine plants or animals or animal parts (e.g. shells, bones, feathers etc). For each site and/or species sampled or disturbed, provide:

No animals or animal parts were sampled or disturbed.

iv.Detail any collection of geological material (including meteorites, ventifacts, fossils or sub-fossils) or soil. For each sample (or group of samples) taken describe the location, specimen type and quantity in kg.

VUW

40 samples in total were taken.

Location # of samples Type Total mass (kg)page break
outcrop in Camp valley 3 rock 8
outcrop on platform northwest of Camp valley 2 rock 5
outcrop on platform west of Camp valley 2 rock 5
outcrop in Camp valley 2 rock 5
outcrop on ridge on west side of central Allan Hills 1 rock 3
outcrops in south central Allan Hills 4 rock 10
outcrop on ridge on west side of central Allan Hills 4 rock 10
outcrop on lower north flank of Trudge valley 1 rock 3
south end of Trudge valley floor 1 rock 3
floor of valley at edge of ice cliff imm. south of Trudge valley 3 rock 8
outcrop on rim of gully in southeast corner of Trudge valley 3 rock 8
outcrop in gully in southwest corner of Trudge valley 2 rock 5
outcrop on rim of gully in southeast corner of Trudge valley 4 rock 10
outcrop on north flank of Trudge valley 4 rock 10
small outcrop in cirque on south flank of Trudge valley 1 rock 3
outcrop in gully in southwest corner of Trudge valley 3 rock 8

Univ. of Amsterdam

All samples taken, both from the Allan Hills and Taylor Valley, were thought to be glacial diamicts. The combined weight was 259 lbs. The table below lists the majority of samples taken in the Allan Hills only and their respective triangulation (an in some cases GPS) result. Cairns were placed at all these sights. A more complete table will be available upon request.

[Allan Hills and Taylor Valley Samples]

[Allan Hills and Taylor Valley Samples]

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[Allan Hills and Taylor Valley Samples Continued]

[Allan Hills and Taylor Valley Samples Continued]

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[Allan Hills and Taylor Valley Samples Continued]

[Allan Hills and Taylor Valley Samples Continued]

v.For each chemical (including radionucleides) taken to Antarctica, provide details of the chemical form and quantity and locations of use. Include details of use of fuel, paints, solvents etc in the field. If unused chemicals were not returned to New Zealand, provide details of location and quantities of material released or stored.

No chemicals or radionucleides were taken to Antarctica.

vi.Detail any use of explosives in Antarctica, including:
Date
Locations of use
Explosive type
Size of charge (kg)
Number exploded

No explosives were used in Antarctica.

vii.

Detail importation to Antarctica of any animals, plants (including any seeds), micro-organisms or soil, including any inadvertent introductions. Note the name and quantity of the species or substance(s), all the locations they were taken to, and whether they have been returned to New Zealand.

No animals, plants, micro-organisms or soil were imported into Antarctica.

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viii.

List any equipment markers, stakes or cairns installed in the field during your visit If any remain in the field, provide details of the location, size and number of items. Note any plans for their retrieval, including the date they will be removed.

After receiving permission over the radio from Antarctica New Zealand (Emma Waterhouse), we left two 60 L drums of kerosene at our main camp in Camp valley. The drums were strapped together and placed upright in a spill-tray. Neither drum had been opened. The kerosene will be used by our party next year.

Lloyd-Davies erected cairns as he outlined in his sample list above. These cairns will be dismantled at the end of the 2000/2001 season.

ix.

Provide details of any other environmental impacts of your activities including disturbance by trampling, sampling, use of vehicles (including aircraft), camp operations (including waste disposal), installation of equipment and buildings and/or cumulative impacts.

Note any incidents which occurred or were observed (e.g. fuel spills, wildlife disturbance, inappropriate vehicle or aircraft use) and what reports or records have been made. If unreported, detail the date, time, location and nature of incident, and any action taken.

We did not experience any fuel spills or any other event which would produce an environmental impact. We pitched our tents on snow patches and removed all equipment with the exception noted above.

x.If the activities described above differ from the Preliminary Environmental Evaluation (PEE) completed for this event (and any approved changes), or from the Environmental Authorisation issued to it, explain how and why they differed.

None.

16 Historic Sites

Detail any visit to a designated 'historic site' in the Ross Dependency and include any general observations about the condition of the site, in particular, note any damage.

We did not have the opportunity to visit any historic sites.

17 Management of Science in the Ross Dependency

Comment on the forward planning of your Antarctic science programme, especially relating to your field of research. Comment on Antarctica New Zealand's ability to cater for your type of work both at Scott Base and in the field.

Our future plans are to return to Allan Hills for the 2000/2001 field season and continue outcrop investigation. We are also hoping to drill and retrieve core of patches of Sirius Group that are not well exposed. We were fully satisfied with the support we received from Antarctica New Zealand both at Scott Base and in the field. Again, we benefited greatly from the willingness of the Scott Base staff to help us far beyond the scope of their specific jobs. We feel it is important for Antarctica New Zealand to fully appreciate this when assessing the success of the New Zealand Antarctic program.

Comment on the involvement of any overseas scientists or students in your event, including the benefits and contribution gained by their participation in your programme.

This event exists because of international cooperation, initially between Swiss and New Zealand researchers, and then later between Holland and New Zealand. With the introduction of Hicock as Holme's Canadian co-supervisor, the international scope of the program was broadened further. This cooperation has brought different and complementary expertise together, greatly enhancing the depth and scope of the science conducted as part of the K042 Event.

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Finally, identify any areas where management is required to protect areas of outstanding scientific, environmental, aesthetic or wilderness values. Note that you are able to propose any such area for protection under the Environmental Protocol.

During our stay at Allan Hills, we discovered an equipment cache at the east end of Trudge Valley which we believe to have been left behind by a 1972 expedition. We notified Scott Base (Peter Geary) and asked what should be done with it, but no decision was made before we returned to Scott Base in January. The cache consists of three or four wooden boxes (at least one of which contains food), three metal fuel canisters and an old, tatty pair of mountaineering boots. In addition there are many (perhaps twenty) rusty tin cans and other bits of trash tucked under nearby rocks. We suggest that the tin cans and other garbage be cleaned up but that the main cache be left for its historical significance. The site does not detract from the surrounding landscape and is in fact very difficult to spot. We only discovered it when one of our members happened to walk within about 10 m of it. We do not feel that there is any environmental danger from the site either because the fuel containers appeared empty.

18 Antarctic Geographic Place Names

Jaap van der Meer of the University of Amsterdam wishes to propose names for two features at Allan Hills. He will be preparing this proposal himself.