Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

On-site measurements for tracking the spatial and temporal variability of the Earth's magnetic poles.  (COMPASS (Contemporaneous Observations of Magnetic Poles (and their shift) ASSessment))

Outline
The electric currents that flow in the outer molten core of our Planet produce the magnetic field that we experience at every point on the Earth’s surface and in the circumterrestrial space. The force lines of this vector field have a configuration similar to the one that would be produced by a big permanent magnet placed at the centre of the Earth. This configuration is commonly known as the “magnetic dipole”, and in the past it has been considered the source of the observed magnetic field. The earlier navigators and explorers who reached the high latitude oceans and lands were the first to experience the quasi verticality of the magnetic field lines at the poles. In fact, while for medium and low latitude navigation the compass represented an irreplaceable tool for sailors and voyagers to indicate the north direction, at very high latitude the compass did not show any preferential direction, as the magnetic field lines are quasi perpendicular to the Earth’s surface. The horizontal component of the field vanishes and the total intensity of the magnetic field coincides with the vertical component. The locations of such poles were revealed only by on-situ measurements made by the first “heroic” scientists in the very harsh environmental conditions, that characterize the high latitudes. Nowadays we know that the magnetic dip poles are not two single points but small areas around mean positions, not diametrically opposite, differently from the dipole poles, known also as geomagnetic poles, two theoretical points associated with the dipole field, the prime approximated model of the Earth’s magnetic field. We also know that the magnetic field changes constantly. Its spatial and temporal variability makes the magnetic poles’ positions to move from secular to daily scale. The forcing sources of this change are both internal and external to our Planet. In the last century both magnetic poles have moved more than 1000 km and during magnetically disturbed days each pole undergoes an additional wandering, described by irregular ellipses whose major axes may reach some hundred kilometres. In the last 35 years the North magnetic pole has accelerated its motion and now it is moving at a speed more than 40 km per year. The current North and South magnetic pole positions lay in Canadian Arctic at 81º 18’ N, 110º 48’ W, and about 200 km off the Adelie coast, Antarctica in the Indian Ocean at 64º 40’ S, 138º 20’W, as determined from measurements done by Canadian and Australian institutions, respectively. The main aim of this proposal is to perform the first (as near as possible) contemporaneous scalar, vectorial and absolute magnetic measurements at both the poles, and track their paths and their simultaneous temporal variability by means of two long term instrumentation networks to be left at both poles, and through manual measurement to be done at these target areas, during the IPY celebration years 2007-2008, sharing the effort of making an extensive campaign in very harsh environmental conditions.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Two main reasons underscore the importance of locating the magnetic North and South poles; for the long term, a continuous monitoring of the pole positions and their evolutions in polar regions would give significant information on what is happening into the Earth’s outer core, where the main magnetic field is generated. For the short term, it would give important contributions in studying solar-terrestrial interactions, and related mechanisms through the electric inductive effects caused by cross-polar cap electric currents, which in turn generate the magnetic variation observed at the magnetic pole regions. It would be also interesting to compare such variations from those occurring in auroral zones, centered at the geomagnetic poles. The daily and seasonal characteristics of the variations in the polar cap differ greatly from those in auroral zone. This effect is mainly visible at the poles, where the magnetic field is more active. At least for the South pole location, that is now in the open sea, its determination would be less affected by crustal contamination. Besides these two reasons, a solution to the technological aspects of vectorial measurements in open sea would be a valuable advantage for the whole geomagnetist community.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Canadian and Australian institutions are involved for their great historical involvement and experience on the topic, and French researchers both for the experience and the proximity of their base to the South pole (about 200 km offshore from Dumont D’Urville station). Italy offers its experience in managing permanent magnetic observatories in Antarctica, and facilities for inland and marine logistics. Russian scientists will share their knowledge on magnetic poles and mathematical models.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The field works are located close to the North and South magnetic pole positions, that is in Canadian Arctic Sea at the predicted geographical coordinates 81º 18’ N, 110º 48’ W, and about 200 km off the Adelie coast, in Indian Ocean, Antarctica at 64º 40’ S, 138º 20’W, respectively. Tests, logistics and some additional measurements have to be performed at the Italian and French stations in Victoria Land, Antarctica and at some historical reference sites in Queen Elisabeth Islands, Canadian Artic.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 04/07 – 05/07      04/08 – 05/08      04/09- 05/09
Antarctic: 11/07 – 02/08      11/08 – 02/09      10/09 – 12/09

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Ship support for deploying, recovery and towing instrumentation and buoys are requested in the region of the South Magnetic Pole. A fixed-wind transport aircraft (Twin Otter) with skis is required in the region of the North Magnetic Pole. Tests, logistics and some additional measurements have to be performed at the Italian and French stations in Victoria Land, Antarctica and some logistics at the Resolute Bay, Eureka and Alert, in Canada. In all these sites, permanent magnetic observatories and magnetometer installations are in operation. Data from observatories are fundamental for reduction and validation of remotely sampled datasets.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The proposal can be accomplished in the frame of an international collaboration by the nations listed in section 1.7 who have an interest to the topic and experience in managing permanent magnetic observatories in both polar regions, and who will provide logistic support. The collaboration is meant to establish a permanent consortium that will operate as a platform for logistic and scientific facilities for future campaigns. The project represents a challenging effort in generating new instrumental systems and networks suited to operate in very harsh conditions. Moreover, due to its international nature, this project will facilitate the birth of new multilateral scientific and technological cooperation and the strengthening of existing ones among involved nations, not only on this specific topic but on the whole fields of geophysics.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The project is submitted to the National Committees of the following countries: Australia, Canada, France, Italy, and Russia.

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

Since 1947, North magnetic pole surveys have been periodically performed by scientists from the Geological Survey of Canada by means of the Polar Continental Shelf Project, a logistical support organization for scientific work in the Canadian Artic. Up to date, no regular program of measurement for the South magnetic pole tracking exists.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Three main steps are foreseen for the project:STEP 1: Design the technological architecture of the whole project, choosing the best available instrumentation and realize improvement of existing instruments or create a new generation of instrumentation (with the sponsorship of commercial companies); and plan the best harmonization among facilities and infrastructures to be used for initial deployment, periodic check and final recoveries of instrumentation. STEP 2: Execute the project by means of a ship, an aircraft and the logistic supports of polar stations of involved countries.STEP 3: Data analysis and data dissemination through a dedicated web site, scientific papers, and participations in the thematic workshops.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
A web site will be created and maintained with real time updated information during the execution of the project. A wide educational section is foreseen and provided in English and in each language of the participating countries. Three scientific documentaries will be produced to show how, where and why the magnetic pole locations wander. Each movie should be addressed to different level of awareness of the general public: from very simple (school level) to deeper level (for highly educated people). Each movie can be adapted and provided in different languages. Depending on the available funding a series of educational events will be organized in each participating country in order to involve young students and the general public in the whole process of the project.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Besides those specified in section 3.3, all data retrieved in the frame of the project will be deposited at the World Data Centers for Geomagnetism. A direct link to the main organizations that are active in the field related to the project’s topic, IUGG and the endorsed IAGA will be also provided. In particular, data should be made available in IAGA 2002 format.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The project will be basically funded by each national agency belonging to the participating countries. Hopefully, a contribution will derive from the application in a specific target area of the European seventh Frame Program. Sponsorship from some specific commercial companies and technologic industries will be sought.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr. Domenico Di Mauro
Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia
via di Vigna Murata, 605
ROME
143
Italy

Tel: +39 06 51860328
Mobile: +39 347 8161923
Fax: +39 06 51860397
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation