It is widely recognized that the earth's climate is dynamic and that significant changes have occurred in the past. Paleoenvironmental records from ice cores are an important tool for understanding the processes responsible for previous climate changes. This award supports the measurement of the electrical conductivity of an ice core that will be drilled at McMurdo Dome, Antarctica in 1992-1993. Specific objectives of this proposal are: (1) to assist in determining the age/depth relation for the McMurdo Dome core and to provide the location of stratigraphic marker horizons; (2) to identify segments of the core that have anomalous chemical characteristics so that other research groups can direct their efforts to significant, short duration features and; (3) provide a record of the volcanic activity that has affected the area.
