CLIMATIC CONDITIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 241, 8 October 1920, Page 4

CLIMATIC CONDITIONS.

FRANZ JOSEF OBSERVATIONS. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. Observations have been made for =ome years of record changes in the position of the terminal face of the Franz Josef glacier. Dr. Macintosh Bell, formerly Director of New Zealand Geological Survey, had pegs placed in front of the face, and by these changes may be measured fairly easily. Observations have been made by Mr. Graham (Government guide). Mr. Speight reported to the Philosophical Institute last night that observations show that during the years 1009 to 1914 the glacier has retreated to a surprising extent. The whole face on an average has retreated 170 feet, and at present is further back than had ever been noted previously. He said this did not show that the glacier was permanently contracting. There was distinct evidence of pulses, which showed a forward movement of ice. The pulses probably were caused in periods many years ago, when the snowfall that feeds the glacier was much heavier than at present, and the snowfall now at the head of the glacier will make its appearance at the terminal face in years to come. Franz Josef glacier is being used for these observations because it is very free from moraine, and its terminal face is very distinct. It is hoped that observations of the pulses and of changes in the position of the terminal face will supply some idea of climatic cycles in the South Island during the nineteenth century, and enable the presence or observance of regular climatic period to be definitely determined.