K001-7172
Event
Event NameNZARP| Hydrological/glacial programme| Southern Vicotria Land - Dry valleys Region| 1970-1971AbstractOnyx River: Investigation into the source of the Onyx River revealed a much larger contribution of flow runoff from the Asgard Range Glaciers than last summer. It was estimated that at times up to 25% of the Onyx River flow could be attributed to the meltwater from these glaciers. When in this state the Onyx was considerably discoloured as the river suspended sediment concentration id governed mainly by the flow from these glacier melt streams. Gauging’s were also carried out in the Lower Wright when no water was being contributed from the valley glaciers. AS the river was in a steady state at the time it is hoped to calculate evaporation figures for the onyx during time of travel.
Water Levels: Lake Vanda: A total lake rise of 0.6m was recorded. Towards the end of the summer this level began to drop even though the Onyx River was still flowing at the rate of approximately three cusecs into the lake. This indicates the phenomenal amount of water the lake loses by evaporation.
Ice Ablation: Lake Vanda: Due to melting problems| the previous season’s ablation markers were not considered reliable enough to re-measure for a winters ice balance.
Core Samples of Sedimentary Deposits: Lake Vanda: A number of undisturbed core samples were taken from the Onyx delta at the bottom of the lake.
Water Levels: Lake Vida: Lake levels were measured several times during the summer to monitor variation in rise and fall.
Ice Levels: Lake Vashka: Lake Vashka was visited and a benchmark established on 29/12/71. As Lake Vashka is completely frozen the ice level was measured to the benchmark.
Water Levels: Lake Webb: The water level of Lake Webb rose by 0.02 ft from 7/12/71 (benchmark established) to 18/1/72.
Water Levels: Lake Fryxell: Lake Fryxell rose 0.12 ft from 7/12/71 to 18/1/72
Water Levels: Lake Chad: A rise of 0.17 ft from 7/12/71 (benchmark installed) to 18/1/72 was recorded
Water Levels: Lake Bonney: A rise of 0.94ft was recorded from 8/12/71 to 18/1/72 (benchmark installed)
Glaciology
Jeremy Sykes Glacier: The stake network installed during the 1969-1970 season was remeasured| both at the start and the finish of the summer for glacier mass balance figures.
Alberich Glacier: Sufficient data for winter| summer and annual nett mass balances were obtained from measurements taken during the season.
Heimdall Glacier: All stakes established during the previous season were remeasured twice during the season.
Glacier Margin Studies: Studies of the three sets of glacial margin poles were continued.
Glacier Photo-theodolite Mapping: As an aid to detecting glacier margin fluctuations| photo-theodolite work on the Heimdall and Upper Wright Glaciers was repeated.
McMurdo Ice Shelf Movement Survey: Selected points if the network established during the 1962 season (Heine) were resurveyed this summer.
Climate Studies
Lower Wright: A standard meteorological climate screen was erected.
Lake Vida: Maximum and minimum temperatures were recorded.
Lake Bonney: A small climate screen was set up beside the USARP hut to record maximum and minimum temperatures.
Wright Valley – Bay of Sails Levelling: A levelling traverse was successfully closed from BM15 in the Lower Wright across the Wilson Piedmont Glacier to Gneiss Point at the Bay of Sails.PersonnelJulian Hawes (Glaciologist/hydrologist) Lawrie Cairns (Surveyor)Warren Thompson (Hydrologist)Russel Thornton (Field Assistant)LocationsLake BonneyLake ChadLake FryxellLake VidaLake VictoriaLake WebbSykes GlacierAlberich GlacierHeimdall GlacierUpper Wright GlacierBay of SailsGeolocation[1] Position[2] Position[3] Position[4] Position[5] Position[6] Position[7] Position[8] PositionSeason1971-1972
Water Levels: Lake Vanda: A total lake rise of 0.6m was recorded. Towards the end of the summer this level began to drop even though the Onyx River was still flowing at the rate of approximately three cusecs into the lake. This indicates the phenomenal amount of water the lake loses by evaporation.
Ice Ablation: Lake Vanda: Due to melting problems| the previous season’s ablation markers were not considered reliable enough to re-measure for a winters ice balance.
Core Samples of Sedimentary Deposits: Lake Vanda: A number of undisturbed core samples were taken from the Onyx delta at the bottom of the lake.
Water Levels: Lake Vida: Lake levels were measured several times during the summer to monitor variation in rise and fall.
Ice Levels: Lake Vashka: Lake Vashka was visited and a benchmark established on 29/12/71. As Lake Vashka is completely frozen the ice level was measured to the benchmark.
Water Levels: Lake Webb: The water level of Lake Webb rose by 0.02 ft from 7/12/71 (benchmark established) to 18/1/72.
Water Levels: Lake Fryxell: Lake Fryxell rose 0.12 ft from 7/12/71 to 18/1/72
Water Levels: Lake Chad: A rise of 0.17 ft from 7/12/71 (benchmark installed) to 18/1/72 was recorded
Water Levels: Lake Bonney: A rise of 0.94ft was recorded from 8/12/71 to 18/1/72 (benchmark installed)
Glaciology
Jeremy Sykes Glacier: The stake network installed during the 1969-1970 season was remeasured| both at the start and the finish of the summer for glacier mass balance figures.
Alberich Glacier: Sufficient data for winter| summer and annual nett mass balances were obtained from measurements taken during the season.
Heimdall Glacier: All stakes established during the previous season were remeasured twice during the season.
Glacier Margin Studies: Studies of the three sets of glacial margin poles were continued.
Glacier Photo-theodolite Mapping: As an aid to detecting glacier margin fluctuations| photo-theodolite work on the Heimdall and Upper Wright Glaciers was repeated.
McMurdo Ice Shelf Movement Survey: Selected points if the network established during the 1962 season (Heine) were resurveyed this summer.
Climate Studies
Lower Wright: A standard meteorological climate screen was erected.
Lake Vida: Maximum and minimum temperatures were recorded.
Lake Bonney: A small climate screen was set up beside the USARP hut to record maximum and minimum temperatures.
Wright Valley – Bay of Sails Levelling: A levelling traverse was successfully closed from BM15 in the Lower Wright across the Wilson Piedmont Glacier to Gneiss Point at the Bay of Sails.PersonnelJulian Hawes (Glaciologist/hydrologist) Lawrie Cairns (Surveyor)Warren Thompson (Hydrologist)Russel Thornton (Field Assistant)LocationsLake BonneyLake ChadLake FryxellLake VidaLake VictoriaLake WebbSykes GlacierAlberich GlacierHeimdall GlacierUpper Wright GlacierBay of SailsGeolocation[1] Position[2] Position[3] Position[4] Position[5] Position[6] Position[7] Position[8] PositionSeason1971-1972
K001-7172. Antarctica NZ, accessed 14/07/2025, https://adam.antarcticanz.govt.nz/nodes/view/38322