The Ward Hunt Ice Shelf, Spring 1982

Abstract

In order to improve the understanding of arctic ice shelf evolution, ice coring and water sampling were undertaken and observations made on the Ward Hunt Ice Shelf and surrounding area during spring 1982. A total of 74 m of 7.6 cm diameter ice core was obtained from seven locations including Ward Hunt Ice Shelf, Ayles Fiord and Milne Ice Shelf. Water sampling of Lake 'A' and Disraeli Fiord indicated that these water bodies remain stratified. Observations of ice conditions between Ward Hunt Island and Cape Evans revealed the following: accretion of multi-year ice along the front of Ward Hunt and Milne Ice Shelf; grounding and/or loss of approximately 40 square km of ice shelf near Cape Discovery; possible development of rolls in multi-year ice in Ayles Fiord; and evidence of former ice tongues in Milne Fiord.