Glaciology Photos

Sastrugi formations near the IGY Little America Station. Sastrugi is produced when soft snow is moved across hard snow by Antarctic winds.

IGY glaciologist holding a snow core obtained from the hand auger dismantled beside him. The core was used for stratographic and crystalographic study, and chemical and radio-isotopic analysis. Examination of such cores, obtained at depths of up to 1000 feet, revealed much concerning the past climate, vegetation, amount of snowfall, and other features of the region.

Auger set consisting of the auger, extensions, connecting pins and Harley pins, a brace and adapter, and a guide. This set was used to obtain cylindrically shaped samples, or "cores," of snow for stratographic, petrofabric, and isotopic analyses, as well as for density measurements.

Glaciologist employing a rammsonde penetrometer to determine snow hardness. A weight on the rod is raised and dropped while a linear scale records the instrument's depth of penetration into the snow.

Glaciologist examining the interior of a snow cave at Kainan Bay, Antarctica. Such caves are formed by the wind and the movement of the ice.