Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Palaeoglaciology in the White Sea region  (PALWHITE)

Outline
Northwestern Eurasian Arctic, in the area around the White Sea, is a key area for deciphering Quaternary glaciation history. The main goal for this project is to link and extend recent advances in the understanding of the palaeoglaciology in the Archangelsk area across the White Sea to Kola Peninsula and northern Russian Karelia. The White Sea region has repeatedly been inundated by ice sheets from surrounding glaciations centres; from the Fennoscandian ice sheet, the Barents Sea ice sheet, The Kara ice sheet, and possibly from local glaciation centres, such as on Timan Ridge. Often, these ice masses appear to have acted out of phase (Larsen et al. in press). Although the recently concluded QUEEN programme led to considerable advances in the understanding of these ice sheets, there are still many unresolved issues, concerning maximum ice marginal positions during the Weichselian and Saalian glaciations and the extent of proglacial lakes. We aim to provide a glacial geomorphological data set that can be used in conjunction with both previously gained and new stratigraphical data to reconstruct the palaeoglaciological evolution in the White Sea region. We believe that our results will help to shed light on (i) the extent of maximum Quaternary and Weichselian glaciations, (ii) the role of ice streams in rapidly draining ice from the main ice masses, (iii) the deglaciation timing and pattern in the White Sea region. The knowledge gained from this project will be of direct relevance to several neighbouring projects and programmes that study other aspects of boundary conditions that constrain our understanding of the Arctic and it's role in global climate change (e.g., APEX, ICEHUS, NORPAST). Our planned research consists of satellite image based mapping techniques, recently used successfully on Kola Peninsula, to produce a comprehensive map of the glacial geomorphology over the glaciated regions on the northwestern Russian mainland. This mapping will provide a comprehensive and consistent geomorphological data set reaching from eastern Finland in the west to the Pechora basin in the east, and that will be used in linking glacial events on either sides of the White Sea basin. To enhance the chronological and stratigraphical control on these glacial events, which are presently known in more detail on the eastern side of the White Sea, we plan to conduct field work along river valley sections on eastern Kola Peninsula.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
A direct output from this project is that we will be able to draw conclusions about the ice sheets dynamics in the White Sea basin (Theme 2), and, because ice sheets are driven by climate, the results are directly relevant for reconstructions of past climates. The output also form a framework against which numerical modelling of ice sheets and climate, and their linkages, can be verified (Theme 3). Because much of the project involves new mapping and investigation of new stratigraphic sites, the project will also push the scientific frontier forward in this region (Theme 4).

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The project involves scientists from Sweden, Russia, Norway, and Denmark. This includes planning, fieldwork, data compilation, and paper writing cooperation. This project will also contribute to the proposed IPY program Arctic Palaeoclimate and its EXtremes (APEX).

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Field work will be concentrated to Eastern Kola Peninsula and land areas east of the White Sea.

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

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Helicopter support for field work on Eastern Kola peninsula. Boat transportation for field work the coastal regions and rivers east of the White Sea. Recourses for the latter can be shared with IPY project 995.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The project will mainly use existing facilities in northern Russia.

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

Logistics is required from Kola Science Centre. Additional (air) transportation will be covered by funds that will be applied for at the national science foundation.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
This letter of intent has been submitted to the Swedish IPY Committee. No formal endorsement yet exists

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?


This is a new project that will be integrated in the APEX framework.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be organised and managed by the PI Clas Hättestrand at Stockholm University. Vasili Kolka at Kola Science Centre will be responsible for logistics in field work activities.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
We anticipate that a number of MSc and PhD students will join the field work activities through Kola Science Centre. The resulting geomorphological map will be printed and made available in both Russian and English forums. A number of scientific papers will be produced as results become available.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
All mapping will be conducted in GIS environment and resulting maps will be made available with free public access through University of Stockholm and though the publishing journals (e.g., Journal of Maps).

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Finances will be applied for through the Swedish Research Council.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Ass. Prof. Clas Hättestrand
Department of Physical Geography and Quaternary Geology
Stockholm University
Stockholm
109 91
Sweden

Tel: +46-8-164952
Mobile: +46-70-2747770
Fax: +46-8-164818
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation