Comparative studies of pebble and sediments from known sedimentary environments (Taylor Glacier, Table Mountain and Crary Ice Rise) with those found in a DVDP core

Pebble and sediment sampling from known sedimentary environments was needed to get 'baseline' data to help interpret data from the drill core samples. The areas visited included the Taylor Glacier, Table Mountain and the Crary Ice Rise.

At the Crary Ice Rise, a patch of dirty ice was discovered and investigated to understand the character of sediment trapped in the ice of the Ross Ice Shelf. About 120 samples were taken from a core drilled by the Dry Valley Drilling Project and a further 100 were taken from around Table Mountain, Taylor Glacier and New Harbour for comparative study. Two layers of ground moraine separated by river gravels at 1800m on Table Mountain were found and indicate two distinct periods of temperate glaciation separated by a warm period.