Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Geotectonic and palaeogeographic evolution of Franz Joseph Land Archipelago - Russian Arctic.  (PALMAG)

Outline
The geotectonic reconstruction of the Svalbard – Franz Joseph Land Archipelago provinces has an essential importance for understanding geotectonic evolution of the Barents Sea shelf, The North Atlantic Ocean and the Arctic Ocean Basins. The project is focused on a better understanding of the Late Palaeozoic and the Mesozoic paleogeography of the Franz Joseph Land (FJL) Archipelago – the most north-eastern part of the European plate. Palaeogeographic reconstruction of the FJL Archipelago will be based on the palaeomagnetic method, supported by detailed tectonic, petrochemical, mineralogical, sedimentological and biostratigraphical studies. It should be noticed that no comprehensive investigation of this kind has been performed in FJL Archipelago so far. The palaeomagnetic results will be compared with existing palaeomagnetic database, as well as with the current results from southern part of Spitsbergen, obtained by the Polish team from the Palaeomagnetic Lab. of the Institute of Geophysics PAN. The investigations of the FJL will be focused on the following geotectonic problems of the Arctic: I. The Late Palaeozoic evolution of the north – eastern part of the Barents Sea Shelf – comparison of palaeomagnetic Carboniferous directions from Svalbard and FJL (as the Late Palaeozoic strata of FJL are poorly exposed and can be met only in a few, scattered places on FJL Archipelago, we are also interested in examining samples from Nagurskaya borehole, which can give us important information about the Palaeozoic palaeomagnetic inclination). II. The evolution of the Arctic Ocean - comparison of the Mesozoic palaeomagnetic directions from the margins of the Arctic Ocean (the European part of the task): · determination of the Early, Middle and Late Jurassic palaeopoles and palaeolatitudes for FJL under strict biostratigraphical control. Investigations of Jurassic ammonite’s faunas of Boreal Province. Definition of Jurassic palaeoenvironments using stable isotopes and assemblages of microfossils. · palaeomagnetic investigation of Cretaceous basaltic lava flows and dolerite dikes well dated by isotope methods. Determining of the Cretaceous palaeopole for FJL. Petrochemical studies on the assemblage of basic igneous rocks of FJL Archipelago should shed more light on a genetic sequence of igneous events of the region. The results should make it possible to reveal an enigmatic genesis of the Svalbard – FJL basalt province. q1_4_T3 : yes q1_5_NatSoc : yes q1_6_Advances : A significant advantage of the palaeomagnetic method stems from the fact that it offers an unique quantitative resolution for relative movements of the crustal blocks. The comprehensive palaeomagnetic study of the FJL has never been done before. FJL is the key region for observation of the plate reorganization related to the opening of the Arctic Ocean. Comparing the palaeomagnetic data from FJL and Svalbard we will be able to resolve the problem of the Late Palaeozoic - Mesozoic tectonic stability of the most north – eastern part of the Barents Shelf. The new palaeomagnetic data from the most north eastern part of the European plate, will significantly improve the Late Palaeozoic and Mesozoic Apparent Polar Wander Path for Baltica.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
A significant advantage of the palaeomagnetic method stems from the fact that it offers an unique quantitative resolution for relative movements of the crustal blocks. The comprehensive palaeomagnetic study of the FJL has never been done before.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Collaborating institutions involved in this project: Poland 1. Institute of Geophysics - Polish Academy of Sciences (IGF PAN), Warsaw 2. University of Warsaw, Department of Geology, Warsaw Russia Ministry of Natural Resources of Russian Federation, Russian Academy of Sciences FGUP all – Russia Research Institute for Geology and Mineral Resources of the World Ocean "VNIIOKEANGEOLOGIA", St. - Petersburg q2_1_Location : Franz Joseph Land Archipelago – Russian Arctic. We are not able to present the detailed locations of the sampling sites (the names of the FJL islands), before the re-examination of rocks collected earlier in the FJL by Russian scientists, and selecting the best rocks for palaeomagnetic study. The palaeomagnetic study of the Russian FJL collection, and visit of Polish scientists in Russia is planned for 2005.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Franz Joseph Land Archipelago – Russian Arctic. We are not able to present the detailed locations of the sampling sites (the names of the FJL islands), before the re-examination of rocks collected earlier in the FJL by Russian scientists.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 07/2007- 09/2007            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
There are two options of organizing the FJL field investigations: 1. Using Russian ice-breaker and helicopters to get to and to operate within different regions of FJL – in this case the Polish – Russian PALMAG project crew is only a small part of Russian expedition, annually organized to FJL. 2. Using the Polish 15 - m long commercial ship "Eltanin" – in this case the PALMAG project crew operate more independently from Russian national polar agencies.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Yes. The PALMAG project will improve the scientific data exchange board between Russian and European – North American Arctic.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The "PALMAG" project is the continuation of palaeomagnetic study of Spitsbergen conducted by Polish scientific team from Lab of Palaeomagnetism IGF PAN in years 2003 – 2005 sponsored by Polish State Committee for Scientific Research – KBN – project no. 3

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

The "PALMAG" project is new however it is the natural continuation of the Svalbardian palaeomagnetic project for years 2003-2005: "Geotectonic and palaeogeographic evolution of the Southern Spitsbergen based on the palaeomagnetic investigations of Palaeozoic and Triassic rocks from the Hornsund region." realized in the Lab of Palaeomagnetism IGF PAN.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be managed by two institutions – Polish (IGF PAN - WARSAW) and Russian (VNIIOKEANGEOLOGIA – ST. PETERSBURG) which have a wide experience in conducting research in polar regions. The plan of cooperation: I. 2005 – 2006 – preparation of application for financial support of scientific expedition to Franz Joseph Land and analyzing of collected material (also exchange of Polish – Russian scientists): programs: INTAS, KBN/KBP. II. 2005 – the visit of Polish scientists in Russia organized to discuss logistic problems of doing research in Franz Joseph Land, choosing the best sites of collecting palaeomagnetic material and to review the earlier collected rock samples from Franz Joseph Land Archipelago. III. Summer 2007 – expedition to Franz Joseph Land. IV. 2008-2009 – analyzing of collected material. Exchange of Russian - Polish scientists for discussion of obtained results. Share publication of revealed data.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
One of the main aims of the PALMAG project is comparing the FJL and Svalbardian palaeomagnetic data. We will closely cooperate with the UNIS High Education Centre in Svalbard – the educational institution which is potent to present the results of our investigation on the national and international level. The special interactive PALMAG web site will be prepared where the basic geotectonic processes will be explain as well as geotectonic model of the Arctic in the Palaeozoic and Mesozoic and the logistical aspects of the FJL expeditions will be presented. The members of the FJL expeditions crew will organise slideshows and lectures for young people from schools and universities.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
PALMAG project crew will closely collaborate with Svalbardian Science Information Centre which prepares the database for all IPY scientific fields. After the quality control the data will be submitted to IAGA Global Paleomagnetic Database.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
INTAS – EU programs for collaboration of EU countries with the new independent states of the former Soviet Union KBN - Polish State Committee for Scientific Research UE - scientific programs

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
No

PROPOSER DETAILS

Pro Marek Lewandowski
Institute of Geophysics
Polish Academy of Sciences
ul. Ksiecia Janusza 64,
01-452
Poland

Tel: + 48-22-6915712
Mobile: +48605332712
Fax: + 48–22-6915915
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation