The structural glaciology and movement of the Taylor Glacier, Taylor Valley, Antarctica

The structural glaciology and movement of the Taylor Glacier, was investigated over several seasons (98-01) by excavating a tunnel in the right side of the Taylor Glacier, 1.5km upstream of the terminus, to provide access to basal ice and the glacier substrate. Basal ice was sampled and analysed for concentration of base cations and chlorides present. Strain arrays and precision dial gauges were installed to monitor movement and deformation of the tunnel and ice velocity. In situ samples of clean and debris bearing glacier ice shear samples were taken from the basal ice to test in a laboratory. The tunnel was re-cut 1.3km upstream of the terminus in the 99-00 season as the other had closed in, with strain arrays and plumb lines installed and basal ice re-sampled. Ice cores were sampled for mechanical tests from the tunnel and the glacier surface. Ice cores were taken from the ice margin of Lake Bonny. Strain arrays and plumb lines were resurveyed and the deformation of the tunnel measured.