Ice Formation and Ice Structure on Law Dome, Antarctica
Snow stratigraphical studies, together with crystallographic and oxygen isotope analyses, have affirmed the existence of a complete range of ice formation zones on the Law Dome, Antarctica. Asymmetric distribution of these zones and changes in the types of ice formation with depth in snow pits dug near the boundaries of the zones show an asymmetry in accumulation and thermal conditions in different sites on Law Dome, and a climatic change in past years. Crystallographic studies of ice from two boreholes near Cape Forger (BHC i and BHC 2) show change of microtexture and fabric of the ice crystals with depth. Six different layers of ice can be identified: 1) a deposition layer with polygonal shaped crystals, an ice fabric which is dependent on the ice formation process; 2) a transition layer with porphyrblastic crystals and a girdle fabric pattern developing toward a two-pole fabric; 3) a fine grained layer with cataclastic crystals and strong, nearly vertical single pole c-axis fabric; 4) a coarse grained layer with large, interlocking, branched crystals and a diamond pattern of fabric; 5) a second fine grained layer with single maximum fabric; 6) a second coarse grained layer with multi-maxima fabric. The origin of the second fine grained layer, found in the ice of the last glaciation is discussed. The author suggests that this ice results from conditions during the last glaciation.