Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Aerogeophysical investigation of subglacial environment and lithosphere of East Antarctica  (AeroGeo)

Outline
Employing “flying laboratory” on board fixed-wing aircraft in order to perform regular aerogeophysical survey with line spacing 5-10 km and map the surface relief, thickness and bedrock topography of part of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS), measure magnetic and gravity anomalies. Processing and interpretation of the acquired data with the purpose to (1) characterize the potential fields, general configuration and internal structure of the Earth crust and the likely geological nature of sub-ice bedrock, trace the boundaries of major tectonic provinces and individual terranes; (2) outline the areas of ice sheet bottom melting and/or freezing, the parameters of distribution of modern geothermal flow and the key features of structure and dynamics of the ice sheet; (3) identify subglacial lakes and assess probable geologic environments of their formation.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Improving understanding of fundamental features of structure and evolution of the Antarctic crust and the glacial history of the continent; identifying the peculiarities of EAIS and sub-ice environment and correlating them with global change processes; acquisition of new data relevant to digital modeling of climate variations.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Collaboration with Federal Institute for Geoscience and Resources of Germany (BGR) and University of Bergen (UoB) in gaining access to, and installation on the aircraft of state-of-the-art equipment and instrumentation for precision aerogeophysical measurements. Coordination of planning and implementation of the proposed activities with other IPY initiatives and national projects envisaging aerogeophysical surveys in East Antarctica.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
East Antarctica in the sector between 75? W and 90? W (Princess Elizabeth Land, Wilhelm II Land)

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 01/2006 – 02/2006      01/2007 – 02/2007      01/2008 – 02/2008
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
“Flying laboratory” installed on fixed-wing aircraft DC-3 and capable of simultaneous gravity, magnetics, radar and laser altimetry measurements (subject to agreement with BASLER Co. through ALCI, Ltd.) The laboratory can be used in a number of other Antarctic projects requiring complex airborne geophysical observations.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
A long-range DC-3 aircraft equipped for complex aerogeophysical surveys will present a significant contribution to infrastructure for earth science research in Antarctica.

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

Availability of DC-3 aircraft and the possibilities for installation of required instrumentation must be clarified with the commercial owner and operating air company.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
National endorsement: IPY working group of Russian Academy of Sciences; Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation (MNR); IPY Organizing Committee of the Russian Federation International endorsement: Support of SALE (Subglacial Antarctic Lake Exploration) program in SCAR Advisory Committee paper on IPY and in other SCAR documents

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 falls within Russian long-term Antarctic earth science program providing for its implementation during 52nd, 53rd and 54th Russian Antarctic Expeditions (2006-2008). It is closely linked with related IPY initiatives “GigaGap” (Australia & Germany), GAMBIT (USA), ICECAP (USA) and may also be logistically integrated with a separate Russian IPY proposal “Prydz-Kerguelen Geotransect”.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Aerogeophysical surveys during 52nd – 54th RAE will be planned, prepared and managed by responsible Russian authorities in continuous coordination with plans for the aforementioned international and national IPY projects and other programs (“Polar Gates”, “GigaGap”, “ICECAP”, “Prydz-Kerguelen Geotransect”, “GAMBIT”, “SALE”, etc.)

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The project results will be published in national and international journals and may be used for educational purposes as examples of up-to-date factual evidence and the consequent modern concepts bearing on geological structure and tectonic history of the East Antarctica interior, with particular emphasis on interrelations between Cenozoic intraplate geodynamic and glacial-climatic processes. Digital processing of raw data, selection and systematization of earlier knowledge and creating a comprehensive project database will involve active participation of students and young scientists as means of their training in regional geology, tectonics, marine and polar studies.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Upon completion of processing and publication of principal results, and subject to coordination with related projects, all new data acquired in the course of the project, including the digital database and the conclusions emerging from the study, will be made available in public domain through international data centers and/or other mechanisms provided by ongoing (or established in the future) programs, such as ADMAP, BEDMAP, SALE, etc.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The financial support for project activities will be sought form national budget allocated via Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation for geological-geophysical investigations during 52nd, 53rd and 54th Russian Antarctic Expeditions (2006-2008).

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Senior research scientist Alexander V. Golynsky
Gramberg Research Institute for Geology and Mineral Resources of the World Ocean (VNIIOkeangeologia), Antarctic Department
1 Angliisky Ave., St. Petersburg
190121
Russia

Tel: 7-812-318-5145
Mobile: no
Fax: 7-812-114-1470
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation