Micromorphology analysis of sediment samples from the Taylor Glacier snout to determine information on the microstructures and the process of formation of a moraine linear ridge

Three spatially variable micromorphology samples were taken from a discontinuous moraine linear ridge at the Taylor glacier snout to provide unknown information on the microstructures of this deposition feature and help resolve the processes behind its formation and hence identity. Additional samples were removed from the compact debris-laden basal layer of the Taylor glacier to allow in situ textural and structural analysis, by micromorphology, of this subglacial environment. Descriptions were made of both the debris laden basal layer of the Tyalor glacier and Suess glacier to provide a context setting for the micromorphological samples taken. Analysis of these samples found preliminary study of the thin sections to show that sublimation origin of the sediments was unlikely. Further samples were acquired from the Blood Falls region of the Taylor Glacier and were pre-impregnated to achieve artificial lithification before analysis.