The Reedy Glacier () is a major

glacier A glacier (; or ) is a persistent body of dense ice, a form of rock, that is constantly moving downhill under its own weight. A glacier forms where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation over many years, often centuries. It acquires ...

Antarctica Antarctica () is Earth's southernmost and least-populated continent. Situated almost entirely south of the Antarctic Circle and surrounded by the Southern Ocean (also known as the Antarctic Ocean), it contains the geographic South Pole. ...

, over long and wide, descending from the polar plateau to the

Ross Ice Shelf The Ross Ice Shelf is the largest ice shelf of Antarctica (, an area of roughly and about across: about the size of France). It is several hundred metres thick. The nearly vertical ice front to the open sea is more than long, and between high ...

between the Michigan Plateau and Wisconsin Range in the

Transantarctic Mountains The Transantarctic Mountains (abbreviated TAM) comprise a mountain range of uplifted rock (primarily sedimentary) in Antarctica which extends, with some interruptions, across the continent from Cape Adare in northern Victoria Land to Coats L ...

. It marks the limits of the

Queen Maud Mountains The Queen Maud Mountains () are a major group of mountains, ranges and subordinate features of the Transantarctic Mountains, lying between the Beardmore Glacier, Beardmore and Reedy Glaciers and including the area from the head of the Ross Ice Sh ...

on the west and the

Horlick Mountains The Horlick Mountains () are a mountain group in the Transantarctic Mountains of Antarctica, lying eastward of Reedy Glacier and including the Wisconsin Range, Long Hills and Ohio Range. Discovery and naming The mountains were discovered in ...

on the east.

Naming

The Reedy Glacier was mapped by

United States Geological Survey The United States Geological Survey (USGS), founded as the Geological Survey, is an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior whose work spans the disciplines of biology, geography, geology, and hydrology. The agency was founded on Mar ...

(USGS) from surveys and

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the naval warfare, maritime military branch, service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is the world's most powerful navy with the largest Displacement (ship), displacement, at 4.5 millio ...

(USN) air photos, 1960–64. It was named by the

Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names The Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (ACAN or US-ACAN) is an advisory committee of the United States Board on Geographic Names responsible for recommending commemorative names for features in Antarctica. History The committee was established ...

(US-ACAN) for Rear Admiral James R. Reedy, USN, Commander, U.S. Naval Support Force, Antarctica, from November 1962 until April 1965.

Topography and ice flow

The Reedy Glacier is the most southern large glacier that drains ice through the Transantarctic mountains from the

Antarctic Plateau The Antarctic Plateau, Polar Plateau or King Haakon VII Plateau is a large area of East Antarctica that extends over a diameter of about , and includes the region of the geographic South Pole and the Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station. Thi ...

. It drains about of the polar plateau, with its catchment extending from south of the South Pole. It flows from the edge of the polar plateau at to become the

Mercer Ice Stream Mercer Ice Stream (), formerly Ice Stream A, flows west to Gould Coast to the south of Whillans Ice Stream, Antarctica. It is the southernmost of several major ice streams draining from Marie Byrd Land into the Ross Ice Shelf. The ice streams we ...

at in the southeast corner of the

Ross Sea The Ross Sea is a deep bay of the Southern Ocean in Antarctica, between Victoria Land and Marie Byrd Land and within the Ross Embayment, and is the southernmost sea on Earth. It derives its name from the British explorer James Clark Ross who ...

embayment. It is the only large glacier that flows from the Transantarctic mountains into grounded ice in the

, although during the

Last Glacial Maximum The Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), also referred to as the Last Glacial Coldest Period, was the most recent time during the Last Glacial Period where ice sheets were at their greatest extent between 26,000 and 20,000 years ago. Ice sheets covered m ...

other glaciers also flowed into grounded ice. The Reedy Glacier is almost wide at its head and its mouth. It narrows to in the central section, where for it flows past cliffs that rise above the glacier surface. The Wisconsin Range to the east and the

to the west holds peaks that rise over above sea level. At the head of the glacier the ice surface is almost above sea level, while at its mouth it is above sea level. Ice thickness is up to . At the Quartz Hills the center-line velocity is per year. Elsewhere center-line velocities range from per year. Kansas Glacier is the largest tributary, joining the Reedy Glacier from its head. Other tributaries contribute little to the volume of ice flow. After entering the

the Reedy Glacier becomes the Mercer Ice Stream. In the past it has been at least thicker than at present. During the last 290 Ma the glacier has expanded at least six times, each time less than before, with the last expansion during the Last Glacial Maximum, when the ice sheet was up to thicker than today. The glacier flows into the ice sheet about behind the Ross Sea grounding line, so the flow and thickness of the glacier are, at least in part, controlled by the damming effest of the

West Antarctic Ice Sheet The West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) is the segment of the Antarctic ice sheet, continental ice sheet that covers West Antarctica, the portion of Antarctica on the side of the Transantarctic Mountains that lies in the Western Hemisphere. It is cla ...

. Reedy Glacier was considerably thicker than it is today at several times in the mid to late

Cenozoic The Cenozoic Era ( ; ) is Earth's current geological era, representing the last 66million years of Earth's history. It is characterized by the dominance of mammals, insects, birds and angiosperms (flowering plants). It is the latest of three g ...

. For at least five million years the changes of thickness correlate with changes in thickness of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.

Course

From the polar plateau the Reedy Glacier flows north past the Spear Nunatak, Strickland Nunatak and Savage Nunatak. It passes the

Metavolcanic Mountain Metavolcanic Mountain () is a large flat-topped mountain, high, located north of the Hatcher Bluffs on the east side of Reedy Glacier, Antarctica. Discovery and naming Metavolcanic Mountain was mapped by the United States Geological Survey (US ...

to the east and the

Watson Escarpment Watson Escarpment () is a major escarpment in the Queen Maud Mountains, trending northward along the east margin of Scott Glacier (Transantarctic Mountains), Scott Glacier, then eastward to Reedy Glacier where it turns southward along the glacier' ...

to the west. Past the Gratton Nunatak it is joined from the east by the McCarthy Glacier and the Olentangy Glacier. It is joined from the west by the Wotkyns Glacier and the Gardiner Glacier flowing from the

. It flows northwest past the Wisconsin Range to the east, from which it receives the Norfolk Glacier and the Hueneme Glacier. Past the Quartz Hills to the west it receives the Colorado Glacier. Below Blubaugh Nunatak the Reedy Glacier is joined from the west by the large Kansas Glacier. The Kansas Glacier originates on the

Stanford Plateau Watson Escarpment () is a major escarpment in the Queen Maud Mountains, trending northward along the east margin of Scott Glacier, then eastward to Reedy Glacier where it turns southward along the glacier's west side. Somewhat arcuate, the escarp ...

and is fed by the Johns Glacier from the south and Alaska Canyon from the north. The Reedy Glacier continues north past the

Ford Nunataks The Wisconsin Range () is a major mountain range of the Horlick Mountains in Antarctica, comprising the Wisconsin Plateau and numerous glaciers, ridges and peaks bounded by the Reedy Glacier, Shimizu Ice Stream, Horlick Ice Stream and the interior ...

to the east and Abbey Nunatak and Penrod Nunatak to the west. Near its termination it is joined from the east by the Horlick Ice Stream just after that has joined the Davisville Glacier, which has been joined by the Quonset Glacier from the east further upstream. The Reedy Glacier glacier flows northwest past Racine Nunatak and Cohen Nunatak to the west before entering the Ross Ice Shelf. Except where otherwise stated, the features of the Reedy Glacier glacier region, described below, were mapped by the

(USGS) from surveys and

air photos, 1960–64.

Left tributaries

Left (west) tributaries are, from south to north:

Wotkyns Glacier

, A glacier flowing north from Michigan Plateau along the west side of

Caloplaca Hills The Caloplaca Hills () are a distinctive group of rock hills including Mount Carmer and Heathcock Peak, lying east of the Watson Escarpment on the west side of Reedy Glacier. Exploration and naming The Caloplaca Hills were mapped by the United ...

to enter the Reedy Glacier. Named by US-ACAN for Grosenvar S. Wotkyns, hospital corpsman at Byrd Station in 1962.

Gardiner Glacier

. A glacier at the south side of Quartz Hills, flowing east from Watson Escarpment into Reedy Glacier. Named by US-ACAN for Richard D. Gardiner, construction electrician at Byrd Station in 1962.

Colorado Glacier

. A tributary glacier, long, draining northeast from Michigan Plateau to enter Reedy Glacier between the Quartz Hills and

Eblen Hills The Eblen Hills () are a cluster of precipitous rock hills in Antarctica, rising to just north of the mouth of Colorado Glacier where the latter enters the west side of Reedy Glacier. They were mapped by the United States Geological Survey from s ...

. Named by US-ACAN for the

University of Colorado Boulder The University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder, CU, or Colorado) is a public research university in Boulder, Colorado, United States. Founded in 1876, five months before Colorado became a state, it is the flagship university of the University o ...

, which has sent a number of research personnel to Antarctica.

Kansas Glacier

. A steep glacier, long, draining northeast from

to enter Reedy Glacier just north of Blubaugh Nunatak. Named by US-ACAN for the

University of Kansas The University of Kansas (KU) is a public research university with its main campus in Lawrence, Kansas, United States. Two branch campuses are in the Kansas City metropolitan area on the Kansas side: the university's medical school and hospital ...

, Lawrence, KS, which has sent a number of research personnel to Antarctica.

Johns Glacier

. An arc-shaped glacier long in the northern part of

. It drains eastward around the northern side of

Mount Doumani Watson Escarpment () is a major escarpment in the Queen Maud Mountains, trending northward along the east margin of Scott Glacier (Transantarctic Mountains), Scott Glacier, then eastward to Reedy Glacier where it turns southward along the glacier' ...

to join the Kansas Glacier. Named by US-ACAN for Lt. Ernest H. Johns, USN, a participant in several deployments of Operation Deep Freeze, 1955-68.

Right tributaries

Right (east) tributaries are, from south to north:

McCarthy Glacier

. A broad glacier at the south side of

Wisconsin Plateau The Wisconsin Range () is a major mountain range of the Horlick Mountains in Antarctica, comprising the Wisconsin Plateau and numerous glaciers, ridges and peaks bounded by the Reedy Glacier, Shimizu Ice Stream, Horlick Ice Stream and the interior ...

, flowing west to merge with the lower part of Olentangy Glacier before entering Reedy Glacier just southwest of Mount McNaughton. Named by US-ACAN for Lt. Robert J. McCarthy, USN, pilot on flights to the general area during Operation Highjump, 1946-47.

Olentangy Glacier

. A glacier draining that portion of the Wisconsin Plateau of the Horlick Mountains that stands east-north-east of Sisco Mesa, flowing south to merge into McCarthy Glacier and the larger Reedy Glacier to the southwest of Mount McNaughton. The name was proposed by the

Ohio State University The Ohio State University (Ohio State or OSU) is a public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Columbus, Ohio, United States. A member of the University System of Ohio, it was founded in 1870. It is one ...

geological party to the

, 1964-65. The

Olentangy River The Olentangy River is a tributary of the Scioto River in Ohio, United States. History It was originally called ''keenhongsheconsepung'', a Delaware word literally translated as "sharp tool river", based on the shale found along its shores ...

flows through the University campus.

Norfolk Glacier

. A glacier, long, draining westward from Wisconsin Range to enter Reedy Glacier between Mount Soyat and Mount Bolton. Named by US-ACAN after Norfolk, VA, location of Detachment Three, the Meteorological Support Unit of the U.S. Naval Support Force, Antarctica.

Hueneme Glacier

. A glacier, long, draining westward from Wisconsin Range to enter Reedy Glacier between

Griffith Peak Griffith Peak is located in the Spring Mountains in Clark County of southern Nevada. It is approximately northwest of the Las Vegas Strip and southeast of Mount Charleston. Griffith Peak is Nevada's 43rd highest peak, and the third highest ...

and Mickler Spur. Named by US-ACAN for Port Hueneme, CA, location of the Construction Battalion Center which handles west coast cargo for USN Deep Freeze Operations.

Horlick Ice Stream

. A large ice stream on the featureless ice surface to the north of the main mass of the

, draining west-southwestward, paralleling these mountains, to enter the lower portion of the Reedy Glacier. Named by US-ACAN in association with Horlick Mountains.

Davisville Glacier

. A glacier about long which drains the north slopes of the Wisconsin Range, between Lentz Buttress and Moran Buttress, and trends northwestward to merge with the lower portion of the Horlick Ice Stream. Named by US-ACAN for Davisville, Rhode Island, location of the Construction Battalion Center responsible for cargo matters for USN Operation Deep Freeze on the east coast.

Quonset Glacier

. A glacier about long which drains the north slopes of Wisconsin Range between

Mount LeSchack The Wisconsin Range () is a major mountain range of the Horlick Mountains in Antarctica, comprising the Wisconsin Plateau and numerous glaciers, ridges and peaks bounded by the Reedy Glacier, Shimizu Ice Stream, Horlick Ice Stream and the interior ...

and Ruseski Buttress and trends west-northwest to enter the north side of Davisville Glacier. Named by US-ACAN after the Naval Air Station, Quonset Point, Rhode Island, home base of Antarctic Development Squadron Six (VXE-6).

Features

Nunatak A nunatak (from Inuit language, Inuit ) is the summit or ridge of a mountain that protrudes from an ice field or glacier that otherwise covers most of the mountain or ridge. They often form natural pyramidal peaks. Isolated nunataks are also cal ...

s and other isolated features along the course of the glacier were mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1960–64. They include, from south to north:

Spear Nunatak

. A nunatak lying south of Strickland Nunatak; apparently being the farthest south outcrop along the east side of the head of Reedy Glacier. Named by US-ACAN for Milton B. Spear, construction electrician, a member of the wintering party at Byrd Station in 1962.

Strickland Nunatak

. A large nunatak between Savage Nunatak and Spear Nunatak at the head of Reedy Glacier. Named by US-ACAN for Ernest E. Strickland, utilitiesman at Byrd Station in 1962.

Savage Nunatak

. A nunatak located southeast of Hatcher Bluffs, along the east margin of upper Reedy Glacier. Named by US-ACAN for Henry C. Savage, builder at Byrd Station in 1962.

Hatcher Bluffs

. A line of bluffs facing northwest, located south of Metavolcanic Mountain, at the east side of Reedy Glacier. Named by US-ACAN for Julius O. Hatcher, construction mechanic at Byrd Station in 1962.

Morales Peak

. A peak which rises from the south part of Metavolcanic Mountain, just east of Reedy Glacier. Named by US-ACAN for Tommy S. Morales, radioman at Byrd Station in 1962.

Metavolcanic Mountain

A large flat-topped mountain, high located north of Hatcher Bluffs on the east side of Reedy Glacier. Composed of dark metavolcanic rock, this mountain contrasts with lighter-colored granites elsewhere along the glacier. The name was suggested by geologist J.H. Mercer, Institute of Polar Studies, Ohio State University, following field work in the vicinity.

Mount Pool

. A peak, high, standing at the northwest side of Metavolcanic Mountain, at the east flank of Reedy Glacier. Named by US-ACAN for Douglas A. Pool, construction electrician at Byrd Station in 1962.

Gratton Nunatak

. A bare, linear nunatak lying at the south side of the mouth of McCarthy Glacier, where the latter enters Reedy Glacier. Named by US-ACAN for John W. Gratton, construction mechanic at Byrd Station in 1962.

Blubaugh Nunatak

. A ridge-like nunatak located just south of the mouth of Kansas Glacier where it enters Reedy Glacier. Named by US-ACAN for Donald D. Blubaugh, construction mechanic, Byrd Station winter party, 1957.

Abbey Nunatak

. A nunatak southeast of Penrod Nunatak, lying at the west side of Reedy Glacier just north of the mouth of Kansas Glacier. Mapped by USGS from surveys and USN air photos, 1960-64. Named by US-ACAN for Gordon Abbey, radioman with the Byrd Station winter party, 1957.

Penrod Nunatak

. A nunatak northwest of Abbey Nunatak, lying at the west side of Reedy Glacier just north of the mouth of Kansas Glacier. Named by US-ACAN for Jack R. Penrod, builder with the Byrd Station winter party, 1957.

Langford Peak

. An isolated peak west of the lower part of Reedy Glacier and northwest of Abbey Nunatak. Named by US-ACAN for Lawrence G. Langford, Jr., a builder with the Byrd Station winter party, 1958.

Racine Nunatak

. Nunatak, , located west of the lower part of Reedy Glacier and ESE of

Berry Peaks The Bender Mountains () are a small group of mountains southwest of the Berry Peaks, between the southeast edge of the Ross Ice Shelf and the Watson Escarpment. Exploration and naming The Bender Mountains were mapped by the United States Geol ...

. Named by US-ACAN for Edward J. Racine, a member of the crew of the icebreaker Eastwind in Operation Deep Freeze 1967.

Cohen Nunatak

. A nunatak lying west of the lower part of Reedy Glacier and east of Berry Peaks. Named by US-ACAN for Lt. (jg) Harvey A. Cohen, USNR, public affairs officer on the staff of the Commander, U.S. Naval Support Force, Antarctica, in Operation Deep Freeze 1966 and 1967.

References

Sources

* * * * * * * * {{Glaciers of Marie Byrd Land Glaciers of Marie Byrd Land Glaciers of the Ross Dependency Transantarctic Mountains Queen Maud Mountains Gould Coast