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Victoria University Antarctic Research Expedition Science and Logistics Reports 1964-65: VUWAE 9

SUMMARY

SUMMARY

The ninth Victoria University of Wellington Antarctic Expedition, led by Mr W.K. Prebble, carried out geological, geophysical and biological studies in selected ice free areas South and West of McMurdo Sound. Dr P. Vella was scientific leader for the first phase of the expedition's programme and was succeeded by Professor J. Bradley in the second phese. A 7-man party was maintained in the field, but altogether 12 men were involved including geologists, physicists, a biologist and technicians. The large number of men was required to cope with the many specialised problems investigated. After 11 weeks in the field, the expedition was satisfied that its achievements exceeded the most optimistic expectations.

The most important scientific discoveries made by VUWE9 include:-
1.
(a)Definite identification of fossiliferous marine deposits on Black Island and Brown Peninsula as being laid down in water - not dragged up by ice; the deposits represent a higher sea. level than today.
(b)Happing on Black Island and Brown Peninsula now enables formulation of a sequence representing several glacial advances and intervals between them.
(c)Ice movement in the region was probably southward, not northward as previously thought.
2.Comprehensive capping with the establishment of a series of different volcanic eruptions on Black Island and Brown Peninsula.
3.Assessment of mineralisation in the Koettlitz - Blue Glacier region and Taylor Valley. Probable Ferrar Dolerite feeder dykes were discovered and also new localities of the rare orbicular granites.
4.Study of the algal ecology of 2 Antarctic lakes and extensive collection of algae, lichens and mosses including an alga species probably new to science.
5.
(a)The first investigation of Miers Lake with probable marked differences from the saline lakes of the right and Taylor Valleys.
(b)Discovery of a hitherto unreported fine structure in Lake Bonney.
6.Evidence of post glacial uplift in the dry valley areas, with important implications on the structure of the Ross Sea region.