Surveys and detailed investigations of Holocene raised beaches on the Victoria Land coast from Spike Cape to Depot Island

The Holocene raised beaches along the Victoria Land coast from Spike Cape north to Depot Island were investigated. Raised beach ridge suites contain records of relative sea level change that can provide both an important input to and verification of ice sheet reconstruction models. The aim of this study was to obtain detailed information from the sites which were visited, to describe the new sites north of Granite Harbour and to assess the potential for dating the deposits. This data can be used to test models of predicted relative sea level change, Antarctic ice sheet reconstructions and McMurdo Sound deglaciations. In addition, a potential campsite was assessed at Dunlop Island for the CIROS project. Sites visited included Spike Cape, Dunlop Island, Cape Roberts, Granite Harbour, Gregory Island, Cape Ross and Depot Island. At each site, detailed descriptions were made of the number and height of raised beach ridges. Surveys were carried out using a Sokkisha TM10E theodolite. Observations of the glacial geology were also made where till sheets were preserved. Snow covered prevented detailed analysis of the marine and glacial deposits. A small quantity of seal bone was collected for 14C dating from Cape Evans.