Coordinating teacher Mrs Ioana Stoica Deleanu Roxana Iordache

Coordinating teacher: Mrs Ioana Stoica • Deleanu Roxana • Iordache Radu • Dorobantu Ramona • Lupu Sorina • Farcasanu Ciprian • Munteanu Catalin • Ferariu Ioana • Stan Adrian • Iliesiu Luca • Stefan Iulia • Ion Cristina • Vilceanu Patricia • Ion Cosmin • Vladoiu Anda

1. The name and/or description of your chosen ice feature We chose the nunatak as our ice feature. A nunatak is an exposed, often rocky element of a ridge, mountain, or peak not covered with ice or snow within (or at the edge of an ice field or glacier. The term is typically used in areas where a permanent ice sheet is present.

2. This is the image that we chose to be more explored.

3. The location of your selected feature in terms of its longitude and latitude as well as the region of Antarctica in which it exists. The image is located at 77. 8 °S, 161°E in the Antarctica’s map. It is approximately 9 km across.

4. A paragraph explaining why your chosen ice feature is scientifically interesting. We consider that the chosen image (Middle section of Taylor Glacier) is the most interesting because of the spectacular “nunatak”, which is surrounded by an ice formation. The image is rewarding because of the complexity of the forms of relief: we can observe ice dunes, the mountain peak and other important details from the picture. The valley determines the direction of the ice flow, and so illustrating its movement. The ice is surrounding the peak of the mountain, isolating it, and so revealing a rock saddle.

5. A paragraph hypothesizing what geologic processes you think are occurring to create this ice feature. A glacier is a large, slow moving river of ice, formed from compacted layers of snow that slowly deforms and flows in response to gravity. The Taylor glacier is an ice feature whose formation corresponds to the process described above. The nunatak of Taylor Glacier might have been formed as a result of a repeated process of ice melting and freezing after it glided across the surface of the peak it had originally covered.

6. A paragraph asserting why you and your team should be funded to further investigate this area of Antarctica. (In other words, what are the potential benefits of exploring this feature? ) Situated at 77. 8 °S, 161°E, the Taylor Glacier presents some interesting formations called nunataks. It is well known that nunataks represent some areas isolated by the surrounding ice or glaciers, creating some habitats that can't be found anywhere on Earth. The term is frequently used in areas where a permanent ice sheet is present. We consider that if this areas can be studied in detail it would help us for better understanding of the world and the environment, and might lead to the discovery of some new species.