Cave Ice Data Recovery and Analysis at Lava Beds National Monument

Project ID: P20AC00742

Federal Agency: National Park Service

Partner Institution: Oregon State University

Fiscal Year: 2020

Initial Funding: $10,000

Total Funding: $10,000

Project Type: Research

Project Disciplines: Biological

Principal Investigator: Brook, Edward

Agreement Technical Representative: Sutton, Angela

Abstract: Investigators from OSU and NPS staff will collaborate to accomplish the following specific objectives.

1. Collect ice cores and organic material found melting out of the ice column from five previously unsurveyed LABE caves.
2. Describe physical appearance of ice cores and document with photography.
3. Submit up to 15 core samples for radiometric dating, tritium analysis, and pollen analysis, where applicable.
4. Develop a final project report with estimated ice age for each sample successfully analyzed.
5. Develop science communication materials with key findings, such as website material, photos, or videos, to be shared publicly with NPS staff and visitors.