Submersible Investigation of Temperate Glacimarine Sedimentation, S.E. Alaska

这项建议寻求支持对阿拉斯加东南部潮水冰川接地线和三角洲系统的沉积过程进行为期三年的调查。这项研究是围绕一艘无人巡航潜水器设计的，目的是收集使用任何其他方法都极难获得的数据。这将是第一次尝试在具有如此活力的现代接地线上直接观察和量化过程。一个由四名研究人员组成的小组将研究退潮、缓慢前进和快速前进的潮水前缘，以及较老的接地线沉积物。潜水器还将用于评估海底质量移动过程和悬浮物中产生层状沉积物的颗粒的沉降。实地方案将重点收集侧扫声纳、地震反射剖面、录像带、立体静止摄影、CTD测量、海流计测量以及悬浮和海底沉积物样本所提供的数据。大多数数据将以能够对实地程序进行评估的方式记录，并在必要时加以修改。这项研究将为模拟冰川接地线的过程和沉积系统提供关键数据。这一结果将有助于目前海洋冰川准稳定和推进的模型。这些数据将增加沉积学模型解释地层序列和预测不同冰川沉积中心沉积物收支的可靠性。对不同冰川水系中沉积物重力流道的侵蚀能力进行评价。最后，这项研究将检验一个关于如何产生板层炎的新假说。这一过程被认为既适用于冰川海洋环境，也适用于非冰川海洋环境。

This proposal seeks support for a three-year investigation of sedimentation processes at grounding lines of tidewater glaciers, and at a deltaic system, in SE Alaska. The study is designed around an unmanned cruise-submersible to collect data that is extremely difficult to obtain using any other means. This will be the first attempt to directly observe and quantify processes at a modern grounding-line with such vigor. A group of four researchers will study retreating, slowly advancing, and rapidly advancing tidewater fronts, as well as older grounding-line deposits. The submersible will also be used to evaluate submarine mass movement processes and the settling of particles from suspension which produce laminate deposits. The field program will emphasize collection of data provided by side-scan sonar, seismic reflection profiling, video tapes, stereo still photography, CTD surveys, current meter measurements, and samples of suspended and bottom sediment. Most data will be recorded in a manner that will allow an evaluation of the field procedures, and modify them if necessary. The study will provide critical data for modelling the processes and depositional systems of glacial grounding lines. The results will contribute to current models of quasi-stability and advance of marine glaciers. The data will increase the reliability of sedimentological models for interpreting stratigraphic successions, and for predicting sediment budgets in different glacimarine depocenters. An evaluation of the ability of sediment gravity flow channels to be eroded in different glacimarine basinal systems will be made. Lastly, the research will test a new hypothesis on how laminitis can be produced. The process is thought to be applicable to both glacial and non-glacial marine environments.