SANAE on January 3rd

01-14-2018

Category: Scientific Work

We had our best day yet collecting samples and seeing evidence of past, higher levels of the east Antarctic Ice Sheet. We returned to Grunehogna, a nunatak that we had visited a few days ago for reconnaissance work. We found good evidence that the ice sheet had formerly been much thicker and covering much of this nunatak. The evidence included glacial striations (elongate scratches on bedrock surfaces, made when rocks at the base of the ice are dragged over the underlying bedrock) and erratics (rocks carried by the ice and deposited on a different type of bedrock, so we know the rocks had to have been moved). We found both isolated erratic rocks at the tops of nunataks, and one large area with a mix of erratic rock types in a low area between two peaks. By the end of the day we had collected eight samples for laboratory analysis.

Both photos provided by Jon Harbor.

The weather on Jan 3rd was very good (most of the day there was little wind and bright sunshine), and the views from the peaks were exceptional (photos mountain top Sarah and Robin, Glunch with Calle and Andreas, and Fredrik posing on the Mountain top). Although it took quite a lot of work to clamber up to the high points to collect samples, it was well worth the effort. At the end of the day we returned to SANAE base and celebrated team doctor Fredrik’s birthday with a special Swiss Roll cake baked as a joint effort between Jenny and the base cook.

(Sarah and Robin, provided by Jon Harbor)

(Glunch, Calle and Andreas, provided by Jon Harbor)

(Fredrik, provided by Jon Harbor)

(Happy Birthday Fredrik! Provided by Jon Harbor)

#SANAE #FieldWork #Nunatak