Case Study: Effects of Erosion in Extreme Weather Conditions
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Erosion is a constant process occurring across the world. We have been able to learn a lot about the world studying erosion and decay patterns, such as dating historical artifacts and studying climate patterns, but there is still a lot that we have yet to uncover.
A team of researchers from Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory is currently tasked with studying erosion and weathering in the landscape of Antarctica. This research was funded by the Office of Polar Programs subdivision of the National Science Foundation (NSF). The highly qualified team of four scientists consists of Primary Investigator Jennifer Lamp, Co-Private Investigator Joerg Schaefer, Co-Private Investigator Martha-Cary Eppes, and Collaborator/Consultant Kate Swanger.
The purpose of this research is to study the erosion and weathering patterns of rocks in a cold, hyper-arid environment. The team will be assessing surface erosion on Antarctica’s ice-free areas. This will enable researchers to study the landscape without interference.
The test site has been designated as Beacon Valley, an ice-free valley located in the most western part of the McMurdo Dry Valleys. This site was chosen because its unique surroundings and distance introduce a drier and colder climate relative to the surrounding areas. This will enable the researchers to study erosion caused by chemical and mechanical disturbances of the environment. Additionally, rock decaying processes such as weathering can be studied in depth.
The site is home to some of the most extreme weather conditions on earth. Along with the dry, cold, and arid atmosphere of the Beacon Valley, there are also winds from the Polar Plateau blowing through the valley constantly. These conditions provide the perfect landscape for studying erosion in harsh environments.
However, these same conditions will prove challenging for the research team. As noted by previous researchers in the area, Beacon Valley can provide harsh and unbearable working conditions. The team will have to camp and work on site, facing subzero temperatures, uneven terrain, landscape hazards, and cold blowing winds.
It is hoped that this research will yield some informative and interesting results. These outcomes may just give us the key to understanding the past, present, and future of our environment.