GLACIER SURVEY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 21 April 1934, Page 2

GLACIER SURVEY

movements noticed FRANZ JOSEF AND FOX One of New Zealand’s finest scenic attractions ,the Franz Josef Glacier, famous all over the world as an ice river, is again attracting the attention of geologists. Periodically the glacier lias been under observation with a view to ascertaining whether it is advancing or retreating. Recently observations were made by Professor'Speight, of Christchurch, who believes that since 1926 the glacier has advanced periodically, although the movement is probably not over its whole area (reports the “Times”). In some parts it appears to be stationary. Professor Speight said that observations had been made on the glacier at varying intervals since 1894, but before definite conclusions could be arrived at regarding movement and giving a comparison with the Fox Glacier, which had also been under observation, calculations would have to be made more regularly and over a lengthy period. EARLY CALCULATIONS The first observations on the Franz Josef Glacier were made by Messrs Douglas and Harper in 1894, when, Professor Speight believes, the face was further forward than it has ever been since. In 1909, when the face of the glacier was observed by a geological survey under Dr. Mclntosh Bell, there were definite signs of retreat. In the year when these observations were made, a number of iron pegs were driven into tho rocks to mark the position of the face. These pegs have been used for subsequent observations in 1912 and 1914 by Mr A. Graham, in 1931 by Professor Speight, in 1924 by Mr Harper, in 1926 ancl again this year by Professor Speight. In 1921 it was found that the face of the glacier had retreated considerably, and was further back than it had ever been. Since 1926 there have been periods of retreat and advance over certain parts of the glacier, while some portions have remained stationary. CONDITION OF FOX GLACIER This year, Professor Speight also made observations of the position of the Fox Glacier, and found that the face was much the same as it was when Messrs Harper and Domrlas saw it in 1894. In some parts it had retreated and in others there had been a corresponding movement forward. The condition of both glaciers was much tho same. Professor Speight. visited the two glaciers in 1905, finding the Fox Glacier in a state of great retreat, but the Franz Josef in a healthy condition. Professor Speight added that in his observations this year lie had been impressed by the small amount of debris coming down . with tho Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers as compared with the Tasman.