Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Ice sheet dynamics: the influence of scaling and temperature upon sub-critical crack growth in ice  (Ice sheet dynamics)

Outline
Global warming is the most severe threat we are facing today. Of the many consequences of global warming is the possibility that water contained in bodies of polar ice may melt, leading to dramatic rises in sea-level; it is estimated that a global sea level rise of several metres were the polar ice caps to completely melt. Although this general conclusion is not in doubt, many mechanisms leading up to this point are not fully understood. A number of ice loss mechanisms are known, such as melting and evaporation; however, ice flows which ultimately arrive at the leading edge of an ice-sheet and calve icebergs into the ocean are by far the most active, discharging an estimated 1250 cubic km of ice into the ocean, 78% of the total ice loss in the polar regions. Of the many processes acting, knowledge of the fracture properties of ice is becoming increasingly important, with a number of significant break-ups of large ice shelves in both the Antarctic and the Arctic. For example, the Larsen B ice shelf in Antarctica disintegrated in a mere 35 days: an area of 3250 square km of ice. A diverse array of mechanisms is potentially involved during such phenomena, from temperature dependent fracture mechanics, to melt-water propagation/movement, to tidal forces and ocean currents. These mechanisms, as applied to the fracture and calving of icebergs from the leading edges of glaciers and ice shelves, are of key importance in global climate study. This research will investigate the crucial first-order scientific issue of sub critical fracture in Ice, and its dependency upon the scale of investigation and temperature by conducting a novel suite of experimental studies from millimetre to metre scale in order to evaluate the strength dependence (fracture toughness), sub critical crack growth, and first order material properties of freshwater ice upon temperature. We will use advanced micro-seismic acoustic emission methods to locate and analyze the fracturing process in 3-D due to an accurately applied stress in a temperature-controlled laboratory environment. By comparing this knowledge to other field scale and modelling data published in the literature, this project will produce data which will contribute to improved methods for assessing the strength and stability of ice bodies based on environment, and the complex and poorly understood nature of the ice-ocean interaction.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
There are three objectives to this project: (a) to address the key, unexplored, dependency of sub-critical ice fracture upon scale by conducting an experimental programme from millimetre scales to metre scales via a facility that we will construct at the University of Toronto, (b) to explore the dependencies of ice physical properties (e.g. fracture toughness) on temperature, and finally; (c) to apply our well-constrained data to ice-ocean models and fracture mechanics models. Thus, this work will address first order scientific problems relating ice-sheet dynamics and fracture to the poorly understood relationship between these processes and global climate change.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
International collaborations are planned with the Mineral, Ice and Rock Physics (MIRP) laboratory, University College London (mm scale SEM and true triaxial ice tomography) and the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory (coupled ocean-ice modelling). Extensive prior contact between the MIRP and POL groups and Lassonde Institute is well established.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
No Field activities are needed. This project will be laboratory based. However, we do envisage that other groups will apply our well-constrained experimental data to observational and other field data in the future.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Most of the infrastructure is ready, with the exception of a cold room for ice-beam tests at the University of Toronto. This will be used with existing test apparatus; one of only three or four such examples in the world. Construction of this facility is expected to take 2-3 months.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Yes. The cold-room facility will facilitate research in to cold regions engineering testing and key scientific issues for many years. It is also anticipated that this facility will become a tool for graduate student teaching and research.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
No - Not at present. However, the PIs attached to this proposal are currently actively seeking support from the Government of Canada IPY 206 grant round, of which this LoI form a key aspect and requirement for securing that funding.

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 proposal directly resulted from the announcement by the Government of Canada of an call for Proposals for IPY science and research projects. Details are available at www.ipy-api.gc.ca

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be managed and organised by Prof. Paul Young and Dr. Philip Benson at the Lassonde Institute, University of Toronto. An excellent team of researchers is already in place to carry out the research. The addition of a dedicated post-doctoral research assistant will give the project clarity and perform experiments on a day-to-day basis, and liaise with collaborators as needed in conjunction with the PIs. Technical support, computing facilities, instrumentation, and the majority of infrastructure is in place ready for the programme.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Although this proposal takes place wholly within an academic laboratory environment, the Lassonde Institute has a broad remit for knowledge transfer and community participation. This includes undergraduate teaching and workshops, public Institute Seminars (internal and external), and colloquia attended by industry. The institute is cross-disciplinary between Geology, Physics and Civil Engineering Departments.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The geophysical data collected from the project will be made internationally available through research reports and through publication in the international scientific media in the usual manner. In addition, a website will provide public access to research data, which will be maintained and operated through the department of Civil engineering.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The PIs are currently in the process of applying for funding from the Government of Canada 2006 call for Proposals for IPY science and research projects, as stated earlier.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof Paul Young
Lassonde Institute, University of Toronto
Mining building, Room 108, 170 College Street
Ontario
M5S 3E3
Canada

Tel: +1 416 978 3096
Mobile: no
Fax: +1 416 978 6813
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation