Determining the geochronology of the Taylor Valley from the study of the geomorphology, lake levels, sediments and climatic events during the past 400,000 years

The longitudinal profile and elevations of well preserved deltas were measured on two streams draining into Lake Fryxell. Carbonate was sampled from several in situ locations and subjected to geochemical analysis.The geochronology of the Taylor Valley was investigated from dating samples from sediments recovered from Lake Bonney, aragonite lake beds exposed to the East of Lake Bonney and occurring as part of the desert lag both to the west and the east of Lake Bonney.

Numerous samples were collected from around Lake Chad, the Canada Glacier and Lake Fryxell. In situ carbonate right on the well marked 900ft strandline that runs the entire length of the Tyalor Valley from New Harbour to beyond the Rhone Glacier was sampled and subjected to both 14C and U-Th dating. Several carbonate samples relating to advances of the Canada Glacier in the Lake Hoare area were also sampled and dated.

Samples of carbonate were collected from the northeastern shoreline of Mt Discovery and Cape Royds to correlate the Quaternary events with those recognised in the Taylor Valley.