Research Objectives:
This project is a three-week field and laboratory event involving 20 to 25 researchers who will investigate the fundamental mechanics and development of magmatic systems in the most general sense. The event is a working conference with sessions split between discussions, laboratory work in the Crary Laboratory, and field-work in the Dry Valleys. Four major magmatic processes will be considered:
1. Magma transport and differentiation in a mush column (East Bull Pass)
2. Crystal transport and sorting in ponding magma (East Dais)
3. Solidification front instability in sills (Pandora’s Spire/Solitary Rocks)
4. Mechanics of sill emplacement (Victoria Valley and East Wright Valley)
The McMurdo sessions will involve discussion, map work, modeling (both analytical and simple experimental), calculations (with a cadre of versatile software), rock cutting, and making thin sections so that the bulk of the discussion can center on essentially real time field observations. To provide the broadest possible impact, both in real-time and in the long-term, the ideal mix of participants will include those who have experience, expertise, and a passionate interest:
+ Researchers working on other parts of the Ferrar system;
+ Senior researchers of layered intrusions and basaltic sills;
+ Researchers of ocean ridge magma chambers and melt sheets;
+ Young researchers studying magmatic processes;
+ Graduate students in igneous petrology
The chief aim of this meeting is to identify the fundamental features and processes common to all magmatic systems, to understand the regional dynamics of the Ferrar-TAM (Trans-Antarctic Mountains) magmatic province, and to expose strong scientists to the unique and world-class field area that Antarctica provides.
Twenty participants and an additional five scientific team members will be split into two groups. At all times one group will be camping in Bull Pass while the other remains in McMurdo. At various times the two groups will switch locations. Activities include day trips to Victoria Valley, the Dais intrusion in the Dry Valleys, and aerial field trips for each group.
