Monday, 27 August 2007 - 2:30 PM
1.P1.D-4
Glacial and permafrost exploration in the Dry Valleys during the 1957/58 IGY: The personal records of Troy L. Péwé
Brian F. Gootee, School of Geographical Sciences, Arizona State University, P.O. Box 870104, Tempe, AZ 85287
The Dry Valleys of Antarctica were studied in detail for the first time by Troy L. Péwé (Glaciologist – University of Alaska) during the 1957-1958 summer field season of the International Geophysical Year (IGY). The goals of that expedition were to characterize the geomorphology and glacial history of the Dry Valleys and Ross Sea Region. Glacier movement and deposits, lake sediments, permafrost, and weathering features were studied and recorded. From this research, a unique and impressive collection of photographs, movies, rock and soil samples, and additional Antarctic archives remain in the personal collection of Troy L. Péwé (1918 to 1999). Péwé also reoccupied 20 photographic stations set up by Griffith T. Taylor in 1911, and included an additional 42 photographic stations in 1957. These archives are a unique historical record for assessing recent glacial and geomorphic change, future scientific investigations, and education during and following the International Polar Year (IPY).