Detailed description, mapping and sampling (for sedimentology, paleontology and chronology studies) of Cenozoic bedded polymicton-type sediments within the Taylor Valley

These sediments are considered as having their origin within a fiord and in a similar manner to those names as basal silts in the Upper Wright Valley. A minimum age for the formation of the Taylor fiord may be determined from radiometric ages of the few tuff beds recognised and also from secondarily transported basalt scoria. A detailed study was also conducted on present day glacial drift deposition from the Taylor Glacier.

Beds of till are ubiquitous throughout the Upper Taylor Valley, although exposure is poor except around the snout of the Taylor Glacier. Here meltwater streams from the Rhone and Calkin Glaciers have cut through till sequences on both sides of the valley. These till outcrops were described, sampled and measured for pebble fabrics.

Correlation of till deposits throughout the upper valley was attempted, using grain size analysis, pebble orientation, mineralogy, sedimentary structures, etc. Processes of entrainment, transport and deposition of debris were analysed in an attempt to set up the Taylor Glacier as a model for glacial drift deposition. This model was extended to include proglacial, glaciofluvial, glaciolacustrine and aeolian environments by observation of recent sediment deposition in the Wright Valley and at Cape Chocolate.