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

该提案寻求对阿拉斯加东南部潮汐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的支持。这项研究是围绕无人巡航潜水器设计的，用于收集使用其他任何方式都难以获得的数据。这将是第一次以如此活力直接观察和量化现代接地线的过程的尝试。一个由四名研究人员组成的小组将研究后退、缓慢推进和快速推进的潮汐锋，以及更古老的地层沉积物。该潜水器还将用于评估海底质量运动过程以及产生层压沉积物的悬浮颗粒的沉降。现场项目将重点收集侧面扫描声纳、地震反射剖面、录像带、立体静止摄影、CTD调查、流速计测量以及悬浮和底部沉积物样本提供的数据。大多数数据的记录方式将允许对实地程序进行评价，并在必要时对其进行修改。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。研究结果将有助于建立当前的海洋冰川准稳定和推进模式。这些数据将提高解释地层演替和预测不同冰湖沉积中心沉积物收支的沉积学模型的可靠性。对不同冰海盆地体系中泥沙重力流通道的侵蚀能力进行了评价。最后，该研究将测试一个关于板膜炎如何产生的新假设。这一过程被认为适用于冰川和非冰川海洋环境。

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.