Glacio-Geomorphological Observations in Cape Omega on the Prince Olav Coast, East Antarctica

Abstract

The reconnaissance geomorphological survey of Cape Omega was made by the author in January 1977. Cape Omega has glaciated features same as other ice-free areas in the vicinity of Syowa Station. The past ice sheet had covered Cape Omega completely. Abundant glacial striae are preserved on the bedrock, and they are classified into two grouos, i. e. SE-NW trending ones and ESE-WNW trending ones. The former group indicates the older direction of ice flow, and the latter indicates the younger. Judging from the degree of weathering of the bedrock, the northern part of Cape Omega was freed from the ice sheet earlier than the southern part. The moraine in the marginal part of the ice sheet close to the rocks is the biggest one among those in the vicinity of Syowa Station. Patterned ground develops well on the moraine bank and on the glacial deposits on the rocks. Measurement of earth temperature in the sorted polygon was made for 2 days. Measured minimum temperature did not fall below freezing point. It may be ascribed to some extent to the fact that the period of measuring was abnormally high temperature period near Syowa Station. In the summer season, meltwater streams occur in the marginal zone of the ice sheet. Several meltwater streams develop in a zone of 2.5 km in width in the Cape Omega area. Measurement of flow rate was made at one of those, and the amount of now of the meltwater stream was calculated to be over 6×10^3t/day.