Allan Hills

Research objectives that are of interest to the University of Amsterdam are three fold. Firstly, description and quantification of glacio-tectonised bedrock from 'Sirius' related glaciations. Research of these features further understanding into the character and form of previous glacial overriding in the Allan Hills nunatak, as well as provides indicators for paleo ice flow direction. Secondly, the collection of Sirius diamict samples for analysis using the technique micromorphology. Micromorphology has proved to be a useful tool in distinguishing between glacial diamicts of different origins world-wide. It is envisaged that micromorphology analysis of these Sirius samples will contribute towards understanding the character and regime of the Sirius glaciation(s). A bulk texture analysis sample was also taken in concert with every micromorphology sample. Thirdly, an objective that was only realised once in the field is the description and quantification of glacio-tectonised bedrock from a recent (non-Sirius) advance of the local Manhaul glacier. Furthermore, a diamict associated with these glacio-tectonised bedrock features was collected for micromorphology (and bulk texture) analysis so to provide an in situ investigation of the only non-Sirius glacial diamict found in the Allan Hills thus far.