Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

BEDMAP2  (BEDMAP2)

Outline
We propose to produce a new, updated and continuous map of bed elevation and ice thickness for Antarctica and the southern ocean from 60 to 90 degrees South. We will use all of the data from the original BEDMAP with approximately 265 000 km of newly acquired airborne radio-echo-sounding lines over the ice, plus many thousands of kilometres of new bathymetric survey data. We will include ice sheet elevation and ice shelf thickness mapping that have benefited greatly from the accumulation of a very large dataset of satellite altimetry since the first BEDMAP. For this SCAR-approved and BAS-funded project (within SCAR-ACE-RES), we will assemble already-collected ice-sheet data from an international consortium of Antarctic researchers and we will combine these with bathymetric data that is currently being assembled by another SCAR project, SOGIS (Southern Ocean Geographic Information System). The main tasks will be to assemble the many datasets, format them consistently and interpolate the measurements using a set of tools that will cope with the varied data distribution and the variety of terrain complexity. We will make our products of seamless grids of bedrock topography and ice thickness freely available to all, along with the latest ice-sheet surface elevation and snow accumulation grids supplied by members of the consortium. BEDMAP products have for the last decade been key components of ice sheet models, geological models, tectonics and crustal seismics analyses, gravity and magnetic analyses and ice core interpretation. BEDMAP2 will continue and enhance this tradition.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Our project will provide datasets that are fundamental to ice sheet modelling and hence for predicting the future of the Antarctic Ice Sheet and global sea level. It brings together an international consortium to generate a product that is greater than the sum of its parts. It will serve a range of fields within the international Earth Science community. The maps produced will help the wider public to understand and appreciate the Antarctic.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The BEDMAP2 consortium is likely to include members from Australia, the USA, the UK, Russia, Italy, Spain, Chile, Germany, Japan, China, Sweden, Belgium, New Zealand, Norway, France and Argentina.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
No fieldwork.

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

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
None needed.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Not physical infrastructure.

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

No logistics required.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Yes - It is endorsed by SCAR and the British Antarctic Survey.

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

The project has existed as a concept within the SCAR-ACE programme. It is new in the sense that it now (2007) has resources and is now under way.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be managed and organised by Hamish Pritchard and David Vaughan, British Antarctic Survey. We are contacting consortium members and the SCAR-SOGIS project, who will provide us with their data. We will process the data to create the desired products and we will manage their distribution.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
We will distribute the products freely through the Antarctic Digital Database, SOGIS and through other online data archives. We will have a website to publicise the project and it is likely that we will publish paper maps of the products. We may hold a workshop for the consortium members.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The data will be managed primarily within the British Antarctic Survey’s Antarctic Digital Database.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The only major cost is for staff time. This will be met from British Antarctic Survey core funds. We will seek additional funds from SCAR to cover printing and meeting costs, though these are optional expenses.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Hamish Pritchard
British Antarctic Survey
High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge
CB3 0ET
UK

Tel: +44 1223 221293
Mobile: no
Fax: no
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation