49 meters of core drilling at 12 Antarctic sites recovered 42 meters of Sirius Group tillite for stratigraphic and petrographical analysis. The dataset, collected by SCIOPS, includes ground temperature profiles and stable isotope ratios of ice to investigate East Antarctic Ice Sheet stability over millions of years. Data was last updated in December 1996.
Use Cases
- Model mineral diagenesis timing by comparing stratigraphy and petrographical analysis across core samples.
- Calibrate oxygen isotope temperatures using closely spaced ground temperature measurements from 4 holes.
- Assess periglacial activity potential by analyzing ground temperature data recorded from surface to 4m depth.
- Reconstruct depositional history from core stratigraphy where surface exposures are insufficient.
Strengths
- Core drilling achieved an 87% recovery rate across 49 meters drilled.
- Data includes detailed mapping of a 4 square kilometer area on Table Mountain.
- Analysis covers 12 distinct sites at Table Mountain and Mt Feather.
Limitations
- Temperature measurements were limited, lasting only one to five days at different holes.
- The dataset's temporal coverage is static, with no updates since 1996.
- Sample size for core analysis is constrained to the recovered 42 meters of material.
Provenance
- Source
- SCIOPS via NASA Earthdata
- Collection Method
- Field collection via core drilling, aerial photography from ~3000m altitude, and ground temperature logging.
- Time Range
- Data reflects conditions at time of collection, circa 1996.
- Freshness
- 1996-12-19
- Geography
- Dry Valleys area, Antarctica, specifically Table Mountain and Mt Feather.