Blood Falls is a iron-rich bring that discharges from the surface of Taylor Glacier, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica.  Within this interdisciplinary project, we are studying the physical processes that bring the brine to the surface as an artesian spring.

Is the source old subglacial marine sediments up valley?

How does the brine at -7C flow through ice at -17C?

What provides the pressure to bring the brine to the surface?

Why do these glaciers terminate in ice cliffs?


Collaborators Blood Falls and MIDGE Project

Dr. Jill Mikucki, University of Tenessee Knoxville

Dr. Slawek Tulaczyk, Univ. of California Santa Cruz

Dr. Berry Lyons, The Ohio State University

Collaborators Ice Cliffs Project

Dr. Andrew Fountain, Portland State University

Dr. Bernard Hallet, University of Washington


Funding Sources

National Science Foundation

Alaska Space Grant