A Scanning Electron Microscope Examination of Subglacial Quartz Grains from Camp Century Core, Greenland–A Preliminary Study

Abstract Surface textures and angularity–roundness characteristics of quartz sand grains of till from the base of the Greenland ice sheet at Camp Century were examined with a scanning electron microscope. Two basic populations are revealed; an angular component, which shows grains with edge abrasion...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Glaciology
Main Authors: Whalley, W. B., Langway, C. C.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1980
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000010340
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000010340
Description
Summary:Abstract Surface textures and angularity–roundness characteristics of quartz sand grains of till from the base of the Greenland ice sheet at Camp Century were examined with a scanning electron microscope. Two basic populations are revealed; an angular component, which shows grains with edge abrasion and attrition indicative of subglacial grinding, and a well-rounded component with the characteristics of aeolian transport. It is suggested that these two populations were mixed subglacially, the aeolian fraction having been produced at some stage before the ice sheet encroached over the area of their deposition.