Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Gondwana evolution and Dispersal: A perspective from Antarctica  (Gondwana Evolution from Antarctica)

Outline
This program aims to reveal the dynamic history of the Earth from the age of the initial crustal formation to the time of the Gondwana dispersal. This study provides any geological fundamental information to understand and to predict the future of the Earth. The East Antarctica where we can observe the long history for 3800 million years is the best field for this study.This program consists of two field activities at the different regions: Enderby Land and the Sor Rondane Mountains. The study in Enderby Land aims to reveal the early stage of the development of the continental crust on the earth and that in the Sor Rondane Mountains will reveal the process of the formation and dispersal of Gondwana supercontinent. These areas have been studied by geoscientists from Japan, Russia, Australia, USA and Belgium for long years. The present proposal aims to integrate the past results and concentrate to study the main points in perspective by the international teams. The geological field survey and sampling in Enderby Land where outcrops are scattering are supported by the helicopters based on one of the coastal outcrops.Those in the Sor Rondane Mountains are supported by the new international station established by Belgium and are conducted by snow-vehicles and ski-doos. The results of this study will be combined with geophysical data obtained by marine and on-shore geophysical mapping. This will enable the discrimination of distinct crustal domains and major crustal and lithospheric structures, and so define the locations of past amalgamation sites in Antarctica.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
In recent years, it has been clearly shown that the East Antarctica is a key area to reveal the evolution of the Gondwana Supercontinent. However the information from the East Antarctica is still insufficient because of its remoteness and thick ice cover.It is too difficult to conduct the survey by single country, therefore the international collaboration is essential.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
This project, including the field work and laboratory analytical work will be conducted by international geologists' collaboration.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Enderby Land and the Sor Rondane Mountains, eastern Dronning Maud Land

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: 11/2007 – 02/2008      11/2008 – 02/2009      11/2009 – 02/2010

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Sor Rondane Mountains : Dronning Maud Land Air Network(DROMLAN), the new Belgian international station, snow-vehicles, ski-doos. These facilities will be shared by other field activities such as the meteorite search in Nansen Ice Field.Enderby Land: Ship transportation, Helicopters

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The new Belgian international station is the main legacy of infrastructure in the Sor Rondane Mountains. Some facilities of the former Japanese station “Asuka” will be used for the new Belgian station.In Enderby Land, the helicopter base will be used for future activities such as unmanned station and further field studies,

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Further details – This project will be endorsed by Japanese National IPY Committee and the Antarctic geology planning committee of the Geological Society of Japan.The activity in the Sor Rondane will be proposed to the science committee for the new Belgian station.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
yes
This project has been discussed internationally and nationally among the geologists. Particularly the Enderby Land program has been proposed as a part of the next five-year term plan of JARE.

How will the project be organised and managed?
This project will be organized and managed by the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition. Logistics support will be provided by National Institute of Polar Research.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
All the data obtained by this project are adequately managed by the National Institute of Polar Research where is the Japanese data center for the Antarctic activities.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The main part of the fund will be provided by Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition and National Institute of Polar Research. We will also propose to the Japanese Society for Promotion of Science.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
The main difficulty of this project is transportation support by ship during the planned periods, because the Japanese ship will be retired. In the case of no supply ship, we will concentrate the study in the Sor Rondane Mountains using DROMLAN and its feeder service.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Yoichi Motoyoshi
National Institute of Polar Research
1-9-10 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo
173-8515
Japan

Tel: 81-3-3962-4871
Mobile:
Fax: 81-3-3962-5741
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information