Dynamics of Aeolian Processes in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica

该项目描述了南极麦克默多干旱河谷冬季和夏季风力驱动的沉积物迁移。风是该地区地形的主要雕刻者，冬季测量对于确定交通事件的频率和强度至关重要，而冬季测量从未进行过。该项目的目标是确定现有地貌是过去气候制度的遗迹还是当代过程的遗迹。该项目涉及两个主要活动：(1)对沙粒输送进行动态和时间综合测量，以表征四个地点的季节性行为、频率和强度；(2)详细调查在莱特山谷发现的异常风形成的地表地貌--砾石巨石。除了解释干旱河谷的地貌，这些数据还将对风辅助营养物质、植物和动物在整个干旱山谷陆地和水生生态系统中的分布进行更定量的评估。这项研究还将提供有关极端寒冷和低湿度对运输阈值和速率的影响的定量信息，这些信息可应用于北极、南极和火星寒冷的沙漠环境。

This project characterizes wind-driven sediment transport in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica during both winter and summer periods. Wind is the primary sculptor ofterrain in this region and winter measurements, which have never been undertaken, areessential for determining the frequency and magnitude of transport events. The projectsgoal is to determine if the existing landforms represent relics from past climate regimesor contemporary processes. The project involves two major activities: (1) dynamic andtime-integrated measurements of sand transport to characterize the seasonal behavior,frequency, and magnitude at four sites and (2) detailed surveying of an unusualwind-formed surface feature, the gravel megaripples found in the Wright Valley. Inaddition to interpreting Dry Valleys geomorphology, these data will provide a morequantitative assessment of wind-aided distribution of nutrients, plants, and animals toterrestrial and aquatic ecosystems throughout the Dry Valleys. This research will alsoprovide quantitative information on the effects of extreme cold and low humidity ontransport thresholds and rates, which can be applied to cold desert environments of theArctic, Antarctic, and Mars.