Totten iceberg
“We are truly exploring new territory,” wrote Kara Vadman ’14 and Mikhaila Redovian ’15 after the research vessel they boarded in January headed into uncharted waters near Totten Glacier, Antarctica.
A truly interdisciplinary approach: Kara Vadman ’14 (far left), Mikhaila Redovian ’15 (second from right), geologic oceanography professor Amelia Shevenell from the University of South Florida, and cook Mike Bowen tackle a Kasten core together.
Vadman, Redovian, and geology professor Amy Leventer are among the researchers currently on board the Palmer as it navigates the icy shelves of the Antarctic as part of the Totten Project. The team is a multinational group composed of undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral students, as well as technicians and faculty members from various institutions.
Processing the dredge contents
The Totten Project is a ship-based marine geologic and geophysical survey of the Totten Glacier region in Antarctica. The researchers will evaluate both the recent and long-term behavior of the glacier system and its relationship to the adjacent oceanographic system.
Although Totten Glacier is located across the globe, we’re in luck: as Vadman and Redovian sail through the Antarctic, they are updating a blog with their experiences and findings.
The two geology majors have been busy with everything from battening hatches and keeping a ship log to taking core samples and collecting and analyzing sediment.
Among their research, there is also the pure excitement of travel and the beauty of Antarctica in store for the students.
After the ship was steered toward a small area of previously unchartered waters near Totten Glacier, the students reflected that, “It was an exciting and humbling experience viewing the glacier from the bow and knowing we were the first people to admire this particular view.”
To tag along with Vadman and Redovian as they continue to explore and research aboard the Palmer, check out the blog.