Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Ice sheet / ocean interaction in the Svalbard region during past periods with abrupt climate change.  

Outline
Studies of the Late Quaternary palaeoenvironments will be carried out along a land-ocean transect across the Kongsfjorden/Forlandsundet region of western Svalbard and correlated to marine studies in the adjacent ocean. The studies will contribute to a better climate system understanding with respect to ice sheet / ocean interaction during periods of abrupt climatic changes, as well as the effect of past climate change on the physical environment. The terrestrial studies will reconstruct and date the ice sheet growth, extent, and decay during selected phases of the last glaciation. The studies will utilize focused and selected studies of documented stratigraphies in western Svalbard, as well as continue and refine ongoing Late Weichselian ice sheet geometry reconstructions by use of exposure age dating. Improved chronologies will be reconstructed based on recent development in analytical approach and dating techniques. The marine component will be carried out as a separate project (parts of EoI #786) and will focus on the North Atlantic palaeoceanographic changes. Both land and ocean activities will be coordinated under APEX (Arctic palaeoclimate and its Extremes, EoI # 183). Correlation between the land and ocean records will unravel leads and lags in marine and terrestrial climate variability, and improve the understanding of forcing factors for glacier and ocean circulation variations. North-south gradients will be investigated.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
•Establish timing for, and correlation between, the Weichselian deglacial phases on land, continental shelf and adjacent ocean off Svalbard. •Improve reconstructions of the Late Weichselian ice sheet over Svalbard and the Barents Sea to better understand the glacier dynamics and past ice sheet/ocean interaction. •Explore the relationship and possible correlation between oceanic climate and build-up and disintegration of the Svalbard/Barents Sea ice sheets. •Explore N-S climatic gradients and compare mid to high latitude responses to abrupt climate change. •Contribute to develop the APEX-network for Arctic palaeoclimatic research.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
This project directly involves scientists from Norway and the US, and will be scientifically integrated with APEX (IPY EoI # 183)

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Western Svalbard (78º - 79º N 10º - 13º E)

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

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The terrestrial field work needs transportation by ship, helicopter and light boats either from Longyearbyen or Ny Ålesund, Svalbard.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Own national polar operator
Another national polar operator
National agency
Commercial operator
Own support

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The project is an integrated part of APEX (Arctic Palaeoclimate and its Extremes, IPY EoI # 183).

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

New project building on long term research addressing the Late Cenozoic history of the region.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The research will be coordinated by J. Landvik (Norwegian University of Life Sciences), and scientifically integrated wit the APEX network.

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

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
See APEX proposal

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Components of the project will be funded from different sources.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Professor Jon Landvik
Norwegian University of Life Sciences
Dept of Plant and Environmental Sciences
PO Box 5003
N-1432 Ås
Norway

Tel: +47 64 96 55 90
Mobile: no
Fax: +47 64 94 82 11
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation