Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-tf8b9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-25T17:14:14.688Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Origin, structure and geochemistry of a rock glacier near Don Juan Pond, Wright Valley, Antarctica

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 March 2020

Kelsey Winsor ,
Kate M. Swanger Open the ORCID record for Kate M. Swanger [Opens in a new window] ,
Esther L. Babcock ,
James L. Dickson ,
Rachel D. Valletta  and
Daniel F. Schmidt
Kelsey Winsor
Affiliation:
School of Earth and Sustainability, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ86005, USA
Kate M. Swanger*
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA01854, USA
Esther L. Babcock
Affiliation:
Logic Geophysics & Analytics LLC, Anchorage, AK99508, USA
James L. Dickson
Affiliation:
Division of Geological & Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA91125, USA
Rachel D. Valletta
Affiliation:
Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, PA19103, USA
Daniel F. Schmidt
Affiliation:
Department of Plastics Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA01854, USA
*
[email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The South Fork of Wright Valley contains one of the largest rock glaciers in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica, stretching 7 km from the eastern boundary of the Labyrinth and terminating at Don Juan Pond (DJP). Here, we use results from ground-penetrating radar (GPR), qualitative field observations, soil leaching analyses and X-ray diffraction analyses to investigate rock glacier development. The absence of significant clean ice in GPR data, paired with observations of talus and interstitial ice influx from the valley walls, support rock glacier formation via talus accumulation. A quartz-dominated subsurface composition and discontinuous, well-developed desert pavements suggest initial rock glacier formation occurred before the late Quaternary. Major ion data from soil leaching analyses show higher salt concentrations in the rock glacier and talus samples that are close to hypersaline DJP. These observations suggest that DJP acts as a local salt source to the rock glacier, as well as the surrounding talus slopes that host water track systems that deliver solutes back into the lake, suggesting a local feedback system. Finally, the lack of lacustrine sedimentation on the rock glacier is inconsistent with the advance of a glacially dammed lake into South Fork during the Last Glacial Maximum.

Keywords

ground-penetrating radarmajor ion geochemistryMcMurdo Dry Valleyspermafrostwater tracksX-ray diffraction
Type
Earth Sciences
Information
Antarctic Science , Volume 32 , Issue 4 , August 2020 , pp. 273 - 287
Check for updates
Copyright
Copyright © Antarctic Science Ltd 2020

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Annan, A.P. 2005. GPR methods for hydrogeological studies. In Rubin, Y. & Hubbard, S.S. eds. Hydrogeophysics. Berlin: Springer, 185–213.10.1007/1-4020-3102-5_7CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bisson, A.K.M., Welch, K.A., Welch, S.A., Sheets, J.M., Lyons, W.B. & Levy, J.S. 2015. Patterns and processes of salt efflorescences in the McMurdo region, Antarctica. Arctic, Antarctic and Alpine Research, 47, 10.1657/AAAR0014-024.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bockheim, J.G. 2014. Distribution, properties and origin of viscous-flow features in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. Geomorphology, 204, 10.1016/j.geomorph.2013.07.032.10.1016/j.geomorph.2013.07.032CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bockheim, J.G. & McLeod, M. 2006. Soil formation in Wright Valley, Antarctica since the late Neogene. Geoderma, 137, 10.1016/j.geoderma.2006.08.028.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brough, S., Hubbard, B. & Hubbard, A. 2019. Area and volume of mid-latitude glacier-like forms on Mars. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 507, 10.1016j.epsl.2018.11.031.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cartwright, K. & Harris, H.J.H. 1981. Hydrogeology of the Dry Valley Region, Antarctica. Dry Valley Drilling Project, Antarctic Research Series, 33, 10.1029/AR033p0193.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dickson, J.L., Head, J.W., Levy, J.S. & Marchant, D.R. 2013. Don Juan Pond, Antarctica: near-surface CaCl2-brine feeding Earth’s most saline lake and implications for Mars. Scientific Reports, 3, 10.1038/srep01166.Google Scholar
Dickson, J.L., Head, J.W., Levy, J.S., Morgan, G.A. & Marchant, D.R. 2019. Gully formation in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica: multiple sources of water, temporal sequence and relative importance in gully erosion and deposition processes. Special Publication of the Geological Society of London, No. 467, 289–314.10.1144/SP467.4CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Doran, P.T., McKay, C.P., Clow, G.D., Dana, G.L., Fountain, A.G., Nylen, T., et al. 2002. Valley floor climate observations from the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica, 1986–2000. Journal of Geophysical Research, 107, 10.1029/2001JD002045.10.1029/2001JD002045CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Farbrot, H., Isaksen, K., Eiken, T., Kääb, A. & Sollid, J.L. 2005. Composition and internal structures of a rock glacier on the strandflat of western Spitsbergen, Svalbard. Norsk Geografisk Tidsskrift, 59, 10.1080/00291950510020619.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Faure, G. & Jones, L.M. 1973. Isotopic compositions of strontium and geologic history of the basement rocks of Wright Valley, southern Victoria Land, Antarctica. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, 17, 10.1080/00288306.1973.10421585.Google Scholar
Fountain, A.G., Nylen, T.H., Monaghan, A., Basagic, H.J. & Bromwich, D.H. 2010. Snow in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. International Journal of Climatology, 30, 10.1002/joc.1933.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fountain, A.G., Fernandez-Diaz, J.C., Obryk, M., Levy, J., Gooseff, M., van Horn, D.J., et al. 2017. High-resolution elevation mapping of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica, and surrounding regions. Earth System Science Data, 9, 10.5069/G9D50JX3.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fukui, K., Sone, T., Strelin, J.A., Torielli, C.A., Mori, J. & Fujii, Y. 2008. Dynamics and GPR stratigraphy of a polar rock glacier on James Ross Island, Antarctic Peninsula. Journal of Glaciology, 54, 10.3189/002214308785836940.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gough, R.V., Wong, J., Dickson, J.L., Levy, J.S., Head, J.W., Marchant, D.R., et al. 2017. Brine formation via deliquescence by salts found near Don Juan Pond, Antarctica: laboratory experiments and field observational results. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 476, 10.1016/j.epsl.2017.08.003.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Haeberli, W., Hallet, B., Arenson, L., Elconin, R., Humlum, O., Kaab, A., et al. 2006. Permafrost creep and rock glacier dynamics. Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, 17, 10.1002/ppp.561.10.1002/ppp.561CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hall, B.L. & Denton, G.H. 2005. Surficial geology and geomorphology of eastern and central Wright Valley, Antarctica. Geomorphology, 64, 10.1016/j.geomorph.2004.05.002.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hall, B.L., Denton, G.H. & Overturf, B. 2001. Glacial Lake Wright, a high-level Antarctic lake during the LGM and early Holocene. Antarctic Science, 13, 10.1017/S0954102001000086.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hassinger, J.M. & Mayewski, P.A. 1983. Morphology and dynamics of the rock glaciers in southern Victoria Land, Antarctica. Arctic and Alpine Research, 15, 10.1080/00040851.1983.12004361.10.2307/1550831CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jol, H. 2009. Ground penetrating radar theory and applications. Eau Clair, WI: Elsevier Science & Technology, 545 pp.Google Scholar
Keys, J.R. & Williams, K. 1981. Origin of crystalline, cold desert salts in the McMurdo region, Antarctica. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 45, 10.1016/j.limno.2013.04.005.Google Scholar
Lacelle, D., Davila, A.F, Fisher, D., Pollard, W.H., DeWitt, R., Heldmann, J., et al. 2013. Excess ground ice of condensation-diffusion origin in University Valley, Dry Valleys of Antarctica: evidence from isotope geochemistry and numerical modeling. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 120, 10.1016/j.gca.2013.06.032.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Levy, J. 2013. How big are the McMurdo Dry Valleys? Estimating ice-free area using Landsat image data. Antarctic Science, 25, 10.1017/S0954102012000727.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Levy, J.S., Fountain, A.G., Gooseff, M.N., Welch, K.A. & Lyons, W.B. 2011. Water tracks and permafrost in Taylor Valley, Antarctica: extensive and shallow groundwater connectivity in a cold desert ecosystem. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 123, 10.1130/B30436.1.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lewis, A.R., Marchant, D.R., Kowalewski, D.E., Baldwin, S.L. & Webb, L.E. 2006. The age and origin of the Labyrinth, western Dry Valleys, Antarctica: evidence for extensive middle Miocene subglacial floods and freshwater discharge to the Southern Ocean. Geology, 34, 10.1130/G22145.1.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mackay, S.L., Marchant, D.R., Lamp, J.L. & Head, J.W. 2014. Cold-based debris-covered glaciers: evaluating their potential as climate archives through studies of ground-penetrating radar and surface morphology. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, 119, 10.1002/2014JF003178.Google Scholar
Marchant, D.R. & Head, J.W. 2007. Antarctic dry valleys: microclimate zonation, variable geomorphic processes, and implications for assessing climate change on Mars. Icarus, 192, 10.1016/j.icarus.2007.06.018.10.1016/j.icarus.2007.06.018CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McAdam, A.C., Leshin, L.A., Sharp, T.G., Harvey, R.P. & Hoffman, E.J. 2005. Investigation of weathering products of Martian meteorite analog materials and implications for the formation of Martian surface fines. Lunar and Planetary Science Conference XXXVI, Abstract no. 2041.Google Scholar
McKay, C.P. 2009. Snow recurrence sets the depth of dry permafrost at high elevations in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica. Antarctic Science, 21, 10.1017/S0954102008001508.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McKelvey, B.C. & Webb, P.N. 1962. Geological investigations in southern Victoria Land, Antarctica. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, 5, 10.1080/00288306.1962.10420116.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McLeod, M., Bockheim, J., Balks, M. & Aislabie, J. 2009. Soils of western Wright Valley, Antarctica. Antarctic Science, 21, 10.1017/S0954102009001965.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Melluso, L., Hergt, J.M. & Zanetti, A. 2014. The late crystallization stages of low-Ti, low-Fe tholeiitic magmas: insights from evolved Antarctic and Tasmanian rocks. Lithos, 188, 10.1016/j.lithos.2013.10.032.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Petersen, E.I., Holt, J.W. & Levy, J.S. 2018. High ice purity of Martian lobate debris aprons at the regional scale: evidence from an orbital radar sounding survey in Deuteronilus and Protonilus Mensae. Geophysical Research Letters, 45, 10.1029/2018GL079759.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sandmeier, K.J. 2008. ReflexW Version 5.0. Windows 9x. NT/2000/XP-program for the processing of seismic, acoustic or electromagnetic reflection, refraction and transmission data. Karlsruhe: Sandmeier Geophysical Research, 476 pp.Google Scholar
Sonmez, S., Buyuktas, D., Okturen, F. & Citak, S. 2008. Assessment of different soil to water ratios (1:1, 1:2.5, 1:5) in soil salinity studies. Geoderma, 144, 10.1016/j.geoderma.2007.12.005.10.1016/j.geoderma.2007.12.005CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Swanger, K.M., Babcock, E., Winsor, K. & Valletta, R.D. 2019. Rock glaciers in Pearse Valley, Antarctica record outlet and alpine glacier advance from MIS 5 through the Holocene. Geomorphology, 336, 10.1016/j.geomorph.2019.03.019.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Swanger, K.M., Marchant, D.R., Kowalewski, D.E. & Head, J.W. 2010. Viscous flow lobes in central Taylor Valley, Antarctica: origin as remnant buried glacial ice. Geomorphology, 120, 10.1016/j.geomorph.2010.03.024.10.1016/j.geomorph.2010.03.024CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Toner, J.D., Catling, D.C. & Sletten, R.S. 2017. The geochemistry of Don Juan Pond: evidence for a deep groundwater flow system in Wright Valley, Antarctica. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 474, 10.1016/j.epsl.2017.06.039.10.1016/j.epsl.2017.06.039CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Torii, T., Murata, S. & Yamagata, N. 1981. Geochemistry of the Dry Valley lakes. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 11, 10.1080/03036758.1981.10423329.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Torii, T., Yamagata, N., Ossaka, J. & Murata, S. 1977. Salt balance in the Don Juan Basin. Antarctic Record (NIPR), 58, 116–130.Google Scholar
Supplementary material: PDF

Winsor et al. supplementary material

Figure S1 and Tables S1-S2

Download Winsor et al. supplementary material(PDF)
PDF 2 MB