The Reason for the trip

The purpose of this trip is to use samples from the Deer Bay formation to derive paleoclimate information. By matching up the pattern of magnetic reversals recorded in the rock with the known magnetic reversal timescale, a very detailed stratigraphy can be developed. Then, the slight changes in climate recorded in the rocks can be correlated with the time scale and possibly the global sea level curve. Samples are taken as drill cores, and are drilled with a portable, gasoline powered drill.

Who went on the trip

Dr. John Tarduno, a paleomag researcher at th U of R took 1 graduate TA, Karrie Weaver, and 3 undergraduate students:Chris Butzer, Doug Laity and Peter Lippert. The undergraduates used this experience to fufill the 6 credit EES 299Field Study Credit, by making geologic maps of the regions that were visited during the expedition. See more about what the students thought about the trip .

Where the trip went this year

Starts in rochester, drive to Ottowa, fly to Resolute Bay. Use twin otter to reach island.

This year, the weather was great so camp was actually relocated by helicopter 4 times.

Locations were on both Axel Heiberg and Ellesmere islands.Click on each of the locations to see views around each camp.

Starting location: Resolute Bay Camp 1: Glacier Fiord Camp 2: Expedition Fiord Camp 3: Dragon Creek Camp 4: Blackwelder Mountains On the way home: Eureka Sound

Life in the field

Camp consists of 4 tents and the kitchen area. This is our kitchen. The boxes contain all of the food that we need to survive for 4 weeks (plus a little extra) and also serve as our kitchen and dining area. Once the food is eaten, the boxes are used to carry home the rock samples that were collected.

Arctic weather

Sunlight all the time, pretty cool. see what the weather is like now in Resolute Bay