Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Interdisciplinary Ross Ice Shelf Studies  (ROSETTA - the ROSs Embayment Aerogeophysics: Tectonics/ Trend Analysis)

Outline
The Ross Ice Shelf, an area the size of Texas, is a key to understanding the geodynamics of West Antarctica, continental scale atmospheric dynamics and the formation of cold bottom water. Although crucial to large scale tectonic, atmospheric and oceanographic processes, this region has not been the focus of a targeted study since the RIGGS/RISP project (Ross Ice Shelf Geophysical and Glaciological Survey) in the 1970’s. We are developing an interdisciplinary study of the Ross Ice Shelf as a major contribution to the International Polar Year 2007/8 to improve our understanding of the West Antarctic rift system, the stability of the West Antarctic ice sheet, the atmospheric dynamics of Antarctic and the formation of Antarctic Bottom Water. Our team proposes to link ground based studies in the interior, and marine studies in the Ross Sea, to conduct an interdisciplinary study of the Ross Ice Shelf, ROSETTA, the ROSs Embayment Aerogeophysics: Tectonics/ Climatic Trend Analysis. The tectonic goals of the project are to improve our understanding of the orientation and amount of extension during late Mesozoic extension, to determine the areal extent and magnitude of Cenozoic reactivation, and to evaluate the distribution of Cenozoic volcanism in West Antarctica. The climatic goals are to determine the distribution of snow accumulation and basal melting over the Ross Ice Shelf to better understand the role the large region plays in the Antarctic climate system. The proposed program will include: • Acquisition of a synoptic aerogeophysical data set over the Ross Ice Shelf to determine tectonic fabric, ice shelf accumulation and basal processes and basic atmospheric dynamics. • Imaging of the grounding line to detect change As the Rosetta Stone provided the means to decipher Egyptian hieroglyphics, this new Ross Ice Shelf aerogeophysical project will serve to unify geophysical airborne and marine studies, reflection seismics, drilling data sets acquired over the past three decades such as the CIROS, Cape Roberts and ANDRILL project and various widely distributed aerogeophysical surveys.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Theme 1: • The grounding lines of the Ross Embayment Ice Streams and the outlet major glacier which feed East Antarctic ice into the Ross Ice Shelf will be imaged as a part of this program. These data will form a crucial baseline of evaluating future change in fluxes and ultimately ice sheet mass balance. Theme 2: • The imaging of the Ross Ice Shelf and the mapping of the shallow stratigraphy will provide new insights into the accumulation and basal melting processes of this major ice shelf. Theme 3 • Both as a source for deep cold water and as a keystone in Antarctic tectonics the Ross Ice Shelf region is crucial to reconstructing global tectonic and oceanographic processes. Theme 4: • Although close to many nations base of Antarctic operations, the Ross Ice Shelf remain poorly understood.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
To date we are developing a collaborative effort with Angelika Humbert, Darmstadt University of Technology, Germany.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The locus of operations will be the Ross Ice Shelf with McMurdo providing the main base of operations with refuelling either along the South Pole traverse route or at Siple Dome.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: 11/06-03/07      11/07-03/08      11/08-03/09

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Fixed wing geophysical aircraft including long range survey aircraft

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Yes. New capabilities for aerogeophysical surveying the deep interior of the Antarctic. We will be using UHF radars developed for fine-resolution mapping of near-surface internal layers, and VHF radars for measuring ice thickness and basal conditions.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
This concept has been endorsed at a national level through a series of planning workshops including the REVEAL workshop

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?
New

How will the project be organised and managed?
A steering committee would be set up over the next few months to draw the various components together and to compile a full project proposal. The goal will be to build an international interdisciplinary team.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The Rosetta program will be closely linked with the emerging education and outreach programs under development by Pfirman et al. [2004]. It will also leverage resources and infrastructure developed as a part of ongoing research project— A Mobile Sensor Web for Polar Ice Sheet Measurements— which is supported NSF and NASA.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
Data would be managed within existing mechanisms and made available to appropriate international agencies. The goal, where possible, will be to provide free and open access to the data sets as early as possible.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The project has been proposed to the National Science Foundation within the US.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr  Robin Bell
61 Route 9W
PO Box 1000
Palisades, NY
10964
USA

Tel: (1 845) 365-8827
Mobile:
Fax: (1 845) 365-8179
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information