This two-year award supports U.S.-France cooperative research in glacial geochronology involving Mark D. Kurz and Edward J. Brook of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and Grant Raisbeck of the Center for Nuclear Spectrometry, Orsay. The principal objective of this research is to take collaborative measurements of cosmogenic isotopes - beryllium, aluminum and helium in order to define the chronology of Antarctic glaciations. These isotope measurements are particularly suited for dating glacial deposits in Antarctica where erosion is slow and the surface exposures are excellent. Dr. Kurz is a specialist in helium isotopes. He and Mr. Brook will work together on the measurements. This is complemented by Dr. Raisbeck's pioneering work in radionuclides and collaboration with the AMS (Accelerator Mass Spectrometry) group at Orsay and their expertise in the analyses of beryllium and aluminum. Inclusion of these two isotopes will provide useful chronological information and strengthen this technique for dating and detecting potential analytical problems. Exposure age dating, using cosmogenic isotopes, is an important technique in the reconstruction of paleoclimate. This collaboration is part of a worldwide effort to establish this technique. Results will contribute to our understanding of historical climate change and the chronology of Antarctic glaciations.
