Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Study of the boundary layer during the Second Scientific Expedition from Patriot Hills to South Pole  (Boundary layer from Patriot to South Pole)

Outline
One month campaign that includes radiosonde launched every 12 hours is proposed for monitoring the boundary layer (BL) behaviour during a scientific expedition (II) between Patriot Hills (around 80ºS, 80ºW) and South Pole. Along with this, an automatic weather station (AWS) is expected to be installed in Patriot Hills for a year-round measurement of near-surface atmospheric parameters which will be complemented with the permanent South Pole AWS. It is expected that radiosonde launches will also be carried out at Patriot Hills during the traverse which will be complemented with the permanent vertical observations at South Pole. Temperature and wind vertical profiles are expected to be obtained and therefore, structure of the BL will be analyzed for air temperature and wind behaviour as well as in the free atmosphere. Additional information like reanalysis data will be used for studying the synoptic environment associated with behaviour of meteorological variables observed during the traverse. These observational data will be compared with different numerical simulations. In summary expected objective will be: 1. Spatial and temporal characterization of the boundary layer and free atmosphere observed during a scientific expedition between Patriot Hills and South Pole 2. Analyze the synoptic and mesoscale aspects associated with the behavior of the meteorological variables observed in the boundary layer and free atmosphere during the traverse.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Obtained meteorological information that will allow knowing more about the weather and the behaviour of some atmospheric variables in this part of the Antarctic continent (Patriot Hills to South Pole), an area of little data available. This observational, in-situ, data will allow to compare with data obtained from numerical models and therefore to check the performance of the models in this area. On the other hand, the atmospheric data will complement the snow-ice-glaciological observation and studies that will carry out in the same traverse.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
None until now.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Patriot Hills is located around 80ºS, 80ºW, near a blue ice zone which is used as a runway for large airplane (like C-130) that can land on wheels. From here, it will start the scientific expedition to South Pole a distance of around 1100 km.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: 10/07 – 12/07            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
It requires at least three flies for taking all the logistic over Patriot Hills and then two flies for taking all out. Beside the meteorological equipment, cylinders with hellion will be necessary to take over Patriot Hills. Most equipment (vehicles) for the traverse is already in Patriot Hills.The Chilean Air Force usually flies over this area for spring-summer campaign but it participation is not certain at this moment.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?

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

Further details – The Scientific Research Center (Centro de Estudios Científicos) already carried on the First Scientific South Pole Expedition (2004) with the military collaboration. It is expected a Second expedition in the frame of the IYP.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?

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

It is a new project that will be developed it feasibility during the next months (over the year 2005).

How will the project be organised and managed?
It is expected that the Chilean Antarctic Institute along with the Chilean Air Force, the Military and the Centro de Estudios Científicos (CECS) will organized and carry on a one (or two) month field campaign during the spring-summer period in 2008. This project will be proposed for being included as one of the scientific activity that Chile will carry out during the IYP by itself or in collaboration with other(s) international group(s). The project itself will be organized and managed by the Principal Investigator with the support of its Organization (in this case the Chilean Weather Service). In addition, the cryosphere part will be in charge of the CECS, so at least from the national point of view, the logistic will be a joint effort of the national Antarctic operators, and the scientific will be a joint effort of the Chilean Weather Service and the CECS.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
None at the moment

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
All data obtained during the campaign will be used for analysis and scientific publications and therefore it will be made available almost immediately.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
It is expected that most of the logistic cost will be assumed by Chilean National Antarctic operators. Radiosonde goods and helium will be obtained through national projects and/or international collaboration.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
This project could be complemented with launches radiosonde balloons at Patriot Hills and the permanent observations at South Pole.

PROPOSER DETAILS

DR JORGE CARRASCO
Dirección Meteorológica de Chile
Casilla 717 Correo Central - Santiago

Chile

Tel: 56 2 676 3453
Mobile: 95345150
Fax: 56 2 601 9590
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation