Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

On collocated geophysical measurements in the future Belgian Antarctic base  (GEBA)

Outline
Our proposal contains three different fields of research which are to be realized by a combination of permanent geodetic, magnetic, ionospheric and seismic measurements and one absolute gravity measurement per year to conduct at the future Belgian Antarctic base (BAB). The goal of these observations is as follows: 1. To evaluate the ice mass change in a radius of approximately 500 km from the future Belgian station by combining annual absolute gravity campaigns and permanent GPS measurements. 2. To study the temporal and spatial ionospheric variability in the polar regions and their correlation with the geomagnetic activity. 3. To measure ionospheric impact of earthquake surface waves and their possible influence on the magnetic field. The installation of a magnetic station in Antarctica will prevent these measurements from human perturbations. 4. To monitor and study the intra-plate seismic activity in this part of Antarctica and to provide information on the lithospheric structure.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Geomagnetic observations in the envisioned site of BAB and Orcadas del Sur are needed in order to improve the global modelling of the Earths magnetic field (Theme 1, 2, 3). High latitude observations are of the utmost importance for Space Weather monitoring (Theme 4). Our program of correlation between the different geophysical parameters will sample the parameters in a unique location and highly desirable location - the Antarctic (Theme 5). The seismic investigation will provide basic information on the lithospheric structure and possible intraplate activity (Theme 1,2 and 4). The GPS and Absolute gravity will address Theme 2, in trying to understand the secular change in the mass of the Antarctic ice sheet.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Collaboration with the Observatori del Ebre (Spain) and the Servicio Meteorologico Nacional (Argentina), National Institute of Polar Research, Japan

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
For the benefit of correlation of seismological, geomagnetic and ionospheric signals, mainly Antarctic locations will be used: Belgian Antarctic base (24°E 75°S), Orcadas del Sur (45°W 62°S) and Livingston Island (61°W 63°S). The GPS station will be permanently established at the Base and annual gravity observations will be undertaken there.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: Summer Field Season IPY establish GPS station/ Absolute gravity            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
We will need the logistics facilities and support linked to future Belgian Antarctic Base. For the GPS and seismic station, we will need continuous power, and if at all possible, communications for downloading the data. The installation of the antenna will require access to bedrock close to one of the laboratories. For the gravimeter observations, we will need to transport ~500 kg of equipment to the base for the observations.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The proposed permanent instruments (GPS – seismic – magnetic and ionospheric) will remain for as long at the base is powered and manned.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Own national polar operator

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The funding for the project will be requested from the Belgian Science Policy. The contribution of one GPS receiver from Luxembourg and one from the ROB is already secured.

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 installation of the geophysical observatory in Belgian Antarctic Base will be a New Project. The collaboration with Argentina in Orcadas del Sur is the continuation of the Geomagnetic Observation program existing between Belgium and Argentina.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be organised and managed in the framework of the development of the new Belgian Antarctic Base. The European Center for Geodynamics and Seismology (ECGS) will install the GPS receiver and antenna. The ROB will be responsible for the data processing. The ROB and the ECGS will share the responsibility for the annual absolute gravity observations. The ROB will install the seismic station and will be responsible for the data processing.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Scientific training will be dispensed to Argentinean observers staying and over wintering in Orcadas del Sur. The same training will be organized for Belgian Antarctic Base. The ECGS has had tremendous success with the distribution of brochures describing their research to schools (k-12) in the vicinity of Luxembourg City. The brochures would be updated to include the research in Antarctica.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
All the data will be available for the international scientific community . We will request that the GPS and the seismic stations become part of the International GPS and seismic Service. This would mean that the continuous GPS and seismic data would be made available within a global network of continuously monitored sites.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Geomagnetic instrumentation will be provided by IRM. Access to Orcadas del Sur will be provided by the Argentinean military. The national programs will provide staying costs and fluids in the Antarctic bases. One GPS-receivers and one absolute gravimeter will be provided by the ECGS. ROB will provide the seismic station, one GPS-receiver and one FG5 absolute gravimeter. We will require some funding for international travel and access to the Belgian Antarctic Base. Financial support to include young scientists will be requested from Belgian Science Policy.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof Thierry Camelbeeck
Avenue Circulaire, 3


BE-1180
Belgium

Tel: + 32 (0)2 373 0252
Mobile: + 32 (0)473 627 265
Fax: + 32 (0)2 373 0339
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation