Report on the geomorphological, geological, geodetic, and glaciological fieldwork in the Sor Rondane Mountains, 1990/91 summer (JARE-32)

Abstract

The Sør Rondane field party as part of the summer party of the 32nd Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE-32) carried out geomorphological, geological, geodetic, and glaciological fieldworks in the central area of the Sør Rondane Mountains for 45 days from December 24,1990 to February 7,1991. The field trip was conducted by two parties, consisting of 9 persons, traveling from mountains to mountains to shift tented camps using 4 snow vehicles towing their equipments on sledges behind. Nine snowmobiles (motor toboggans) were used for their field researches on glaciers. Geomorphologists carried out measurements in the periglacial field experimental sites, observations of rock weathering, and mapping of chronological sequence of tills and moraines. Geologists studied chronological sequence of rock formation and collected rock specimens for structural, petrological, and chemical analyses. A surveyor set up geodetic control stations using GPS satellite positioning system and made gravity surveys on glaciers as well as at some control stations. Two Belgian glaciologists took part in the fieldwork as exchange scientists and studied dynamics of glacier movement and ice thickness.