Thesis Title: Reconstructing past Antarctic ice flow paths using detrital zircon provenance

Graduate Dept: Department of Earth Sciences

Degree Sought: M.S. Geological Science

Research Advisor: Dr. Kathy Licht

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Research Goal

My main research goal is to use detrital zircons in an attempt to help define the area of convergence between the East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS) and the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) at the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), thus providing additional information on the past extent of WA ice streams and the size of the WAIS relative to the EAIS at the LGM.

Description of Your Research

My research will focus on collecting detrital zircon geochronology data from samples under West Antarctic ice streams, East Antarctic outlet glaciers, and along a transect in the Ross Sea. The detrital age distributions will be used to identify distinct signatures from the sample sites which will then give more constraints on the past ice flow paths of the region. Constraining the behavior and extent of Antarctica during the Last Glacial Maximum (~17,000 yrs ago) is essential in developing accurate models of ice sheet behavior. Provenance of detrital zircons is one method for constraining such models.

Examples Of How My Research Is Integrated Into My GK-12 Experience

My research will be integrated into an experimental, inquiry-based, outdoor laboratory for the Discovering the Science of the Environment program.

Currently, My GK-12 Classroom Is Investigating

Currently, the DSE program is performing oudoor labratories focused on physical, biological, and chemical water quality.