Antarctic Sediment Cores and Bathymetry from Prydz Bay, 1993

Fifteen gravity cores and grab samples were collected from Prydz Bay and the Mac. Robertson Shelf during the 1992/93 Antarctic shipping season. The data, managed by the Australian Ocean Data Network, aims to study Quaternary environmental change and sedimentation processes. Sampling targets the Lambert Glacier-Amery Ice Shelf system, the largest ice stream draining the East Antarctic Ice Sheet.

Use Cases

• Modeling past behavior of the Lambert Glacier-Amery Ice Shelf system based on sediment core records.
• Studying Quaternary environmental change based on sediment cores from the Antarctic shelf and slope.
• Interpreting sedimentation processes and iceberg gouging based on bathymetry and 3.5kHz echo sounder data.
• Comparing glacial history between Prydz Bay and the adjacent Mac. Robertson Shelf based on contrasting sediment types.

Strengths

• Data collection targeted a specific, scientifically important site: the Lambert Glacier-Amery Ice Shelf system.
• The program collected fifteen gravity cores and additional grab samples for analysis.
• Includes complementary geophysical data like bathymetry and 3.5kHz echo sounder records.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data freshness should be verified; the last metadata update is 2026-06-05.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Marine sampling program (gravity coring, grab sampling) and geophysical surveying during Voyage 7 of the R.V. Aurora Australis.

Time Range

January-March 1993

Geography

Prydz Bay and Mac. Robertson Shelf, Antarctica; BANZARE Bank, Kerguelen Plateau