The microclimate of Mawson's Hut based on snow and ice core analysis

ABSTRACT We report the oxygen isotope ratio (δ 18 O) and structural analysis of four 2m long firn cores collected in 1997 from inside Mawson's Hut (consisting of a Main Hut and a Workshop), Commonwealth Bay, Antarctica, and 25 snow samples collected in 2001 in the vicinity of the huts. Our aim...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polar Record
Main Authors: Donoghue, Shavawn, Jacka, Tim H., Morgan, Vin, Lazer, Estelle
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 2012
Subjects:
General Earth and Planetary Sciences
Ecology
Geography, Planning and Development
Commonwealth Bay
Denison
Cape Denison
Antarc*
Antarctica
ice core
Polar Record
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0032247412000423
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0032247412000423
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Summary:ABSTRACT We report the oxygen isotope ratio (δ 18 O) and structural analysis of four 2m long firn cores collected in 1997 from inside Mawson's Hut (consisting of a Main Hut and a Workshop), Commonwealth Bay, Antarctica, and 25 snow samples collected in 2001 in the vicinity of the huts. Our aim is to examine the microclimate within the huts. Structural analyses of the cores and snow samples indicate there were no significant melt and refreeze events, however there is evidence of water seepage into the huts from the roof. Oxygen isotope data from the two cores from the Main Hut indicate that the hut filled slowly after being abandoned in 1914. Two cores adjacent to the Workshop suggest comparatively rapid snow filling after it was cleared of snow in 1978. Oxygen isotope analysis of individual samples collected outside Mawson's Hut suggests snow, accumulated south of Cape Denison, is deposited by katabatic winds.

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