Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Geodynamic GPS Network for Argentinean Islands (Antarctic Peninsula)  (GGNAI (AP))

Outline
On January 2003 the scientists of Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformatics of National University “Lvivska Polytechnika” working as members of 8-th Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition on area contiguous to Ukrainian Antarctic station “Academic Vernadsky” (is. Galindez, 65°14,8¢ S; 64°15,2¢ W), had created the geodynamic polygon of 8 geodetic points. Using the GPS method and referencing to Antarctic permanent GPS stations the initial cycle of precise determination of coordinates for all points in system ITRF’2000 with accuracy ±5 mm was implemented. One of the polygon points is situated on the bank of Antarctic Peninsula, the rest are situated on seven off-shore islands of archipelago Argentinean Islands in the seismically active region with tectonic break in the strait Penola. On all points, despite one created on the station „Academic Vernadsky”, high precise coordinate determinations were implemented in first time. Analyses of geological-morphological, tectonic-magnetic and paleomagnetic researches, implemented early in this region, shows insufficient studying of its tectonic structure and debatability of determination of spatial tracing of tectonic break and other peculiarities. The activities we have planned include organisation on the above mentioned polygon of repeated many years precise GPS coordinate determinations of created geodetic points with step of 1-2 years, possible increasing of the polygon, creation of permanent GPS observatory on the station „Academic Vernadsky” in 2008, initialisation, beginning from 2007, on Geodetic Institute of NU „Lvivska Polytechnika” of systematic training (approximately 2 masters per two years) on specialisation of implementation of complex researches in polar regions. Planned activities will give possibility to create geodetic control network and determine parameters of modern movements of the earth crust in the described region, and therefore to assist for amplification of tectonic structure of Antarctic Peninsula; to create conditions for investigation of peculiarities of geodetic determination methods when difficult Antarctic conditions, and also to initiate training of young specialists for polar investigations.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The results of the project will allow to determine the parameters of modern tectonic activities of Antarctic Peninsula, to define the influence of climate changes and glacier loading on intensity of geodynamic processes, to develop forecasting model of modern movements of the earth crust in waters of archipelago Argentinean Islands. Created polygon will serve as training base for education of masters-researchers of polar regions.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
International collaboration of the project include coordination of researches with Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, Geoscience Standing Scientific Group (GSSG), the former Working Group on Geodesy and Geographic Information and programme Geodetic Infrastructure in Antarctica GIANT and also support of collaboration with SCAR Group of Specialists on Antarctic Neotectonics (ANTEC).

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Coordinate GPS determinations will be implemented on the geodynamic polygons of 8 geodetic points located on western coast of Antarctic Peninsula. Point TUKS is located on the cape Tuksen. Point VER1 is a base point, it is created on the territory of Ukrainian Antarctic station „Academic Vernadsky ” on island Galindez (65°14,8¢ S; 64°15,2¢ W). Other points (BARS, BARH, JALR, FANF, ROCK, PITE) are also located on islands (Barselot, Barhany, Jalur, Three little piglets, Roka, Peterman) of archipelago Argentinean Islands. Islands points are distant from peninsula on 3…30 km. The polygon has a general form like to triangle with sides up to 30 km and an area 400 km2.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: 02/05 –03/05      02/06 –03/06      02/07 –03/07

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Lease of motor boat. Acquisition of two GPS-receivers, software for processing of GPS-measurements. Equipment for two field expeditions to the station «Academic Vernadsky» for three persons.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
On the station «Academic Vernadsky» the permanent GPS-observatory will be installed and precise geodetic base of region of archipelago Argentinean Islands necessary for geodynamic, cartographic, glaciologic and geophysical researches will be created.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Project will be supported by Ukrainian Antarctic Center and can be supported by ? Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, Geoscience Standing Scientific Group (GSSG), Working Group on Geodesy and Geographic Information.

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?


In the part of determination of parameters of deformation of the earth crust of Antarctic Peninsula the project can be a component of annual scientific researches of SCAR Epoch Crustal Movement Campaigns (fomerly SCAR Epoch GPS Campaigns) have been carried out since 1995 under the umbrella of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, Geoscience Standing Scientific Group (GSSG), the former Working Group on Geodesy and Geographic Information. In the part of amplification of tectonic structure of waters of archipelago Argentinean Islands the project is autonomous branch of investigation.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformatics of National University “Lvivska Polytechnika” will make leadership of the project. Employees, Postgraduate students, masters of Institute will be involved for implementation. For implementation of field works the two proper groups will be created, which will join to annual Ukrainian Antarctic Expeditions and will be based on Ukrainian station «Academic Vernadsky». Final processing of the field observations results and their analyses will be implemented in National University “Lvivska Polytechnika”. All necessary reports and information about work implementation and obtained results will be sent to National and International committees.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
In the frames of preparation and implementation of the project it is planned to open in Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformatics of National University “Lvivska Polytechnika” up to 2007 the specialisation for training of masters of complex investigations of polar regions (2 masters per two years). With this purpose the proper curricular and methodological materials will be elaborated. Analyses of the results of field observation will be used in scientific dissertation works.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
All materials of project will be generally accessed, results will be published in the scientific papers. In the project mainly data obtained from its own observations will be used but also the results of measurements of annual SCAR Epoch Crustal Movement Campaigns will be applied.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Partial financing of the project will support by Ukrainian Antarctic Center as payment of stay of project implementers on the station “Academic Vernadsky”, and possible payment of journeys to the station. National University “Lvivska Polytechnika” can get financial privileges for acquisition of GPS-receivers and software from firms-producers. The rest of necessary financing we hope to get as a grant for implementation of this project.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
National University “Lvivska Polytechnika” has an experience in the investigations of polar regions. There were directly involved in the field expeditions professors Zablotskyy F.D. (New Land), Glotov V.M. and Tretiak K.R. (Antarctic). There were investigated in the papers and dissertations of our scientists the problems of influence of atmosphere refraction on geodetic measurement in polar regions and geodynamic processes of Antarctic Peninsula. According to results of measurements the large scale maps of archipelago Argentinean Islands and ?-D models of changes of glaciers forms were created. Using this materials the masters theses were implemented. Now it is prepared the candidate dissertation on the theme “Investigation of geodynamic of Antarctic Peninsula by geodetic methods”. On problem of Antarctic investigations we have close contacts with Ukrainian Antarctic Center and Institute of Geophysics of National Academy of Science of Ukraine. In 2003 Antarctic Geodesy Symposium 2003 (AGS'03) was conducted under the aegis of SCAR GSSG. Development of this project will expand the participation of Ukraine in international scientific Antarctic investigations.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof., Dr. Kornyliy Tretiak
Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformatics of National University “Lvivska Polytechnika”
Bandera str. 12, Lviv
79013
Ukraine

Tel: +380322980748, +380322582132
Mobile: 3.80674E+11
Fax: 3.80323E+11
Email:

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