Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Nature of the transition between the Victoria Land Basin and the Transantarctic Mountains, Antarctica: A major continental rift boundary  (TAM-VLB refraction)

Outline
The Transantarctic Mountains (TAM) are one of the more spectacular and enigmatic mountain ranges on Earth. Spanning 4000 kilometers along the boundary of the East Antarctic craton with a relief of up to 4 km above sea level, they border the rifted crust of the West Antarctic Rift system. The Victoria Land Basin (VLB) is a major sediment filled rift basin, up to 14 km deep, that lies along the western Ross Sea adjacent to the TAM. Crustal thickness is up to 40 km under the TAM and less than 20 km in the VLB. The TAM and VLB have formed in an extensional environment during at least two major rifting phases: the Mesozoic rifting of the Gondwana supercontinent, and subsequent early Cenozoic rifting possibly related to changes in sea-floor spreading in the deep ocean north of the Ross Sea. The subsidence history of the VLB and the uplift history of the TAM are probably genetically related, with the sediments contained by the VLB recording this history. Several theories have been proposed for the origin of the TAM that bear on the tectonic history of the West Antarctic Rift and the VLB, and for the processes for rifting of continental lithosphere. These include uplift of the heated rifted margin of the range, detachment faulting with the TAM marking a breakaway zone, and ductile necking of the Ross Sea crust with subsequent relative subsidence, among others. The project goal is to construct an accurate model of the velocity and density structure of the crust and upper mantle under the front of the TAM, across the transition between the TAM and the VLB, and under the VLB. These results will ultimately provide detailed constraints for subsequent modelling of the processes and history of the development of these dramatic features.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The proposal will address primarily Theme 4 through advances in understanding of mountain building and continental rifting deriving from the unique setting of the transition between the Transantarctic Mountains (TAM) and the Victoria Land Basin. This transition may be one of the Earth's sharpest changes in thickness of continental lithosphere. It will also develop our very limited knowledge of the lithosphere under Antarctica. In turn, this knowledge will give a better understanding on continental heatflow that forms an important parameter in the development of continental ice sheets and ice dynamics.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Joint USA and New Zealand logistic support and scientific analysis

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Southwest Ross Sea, including Granite Harbor, and adjacent Transantarctic Mountains.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: 02/2007 - 03/2007      02/2008 - 03/2008      

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Ice-breaker and helicopter required. Limited possibilities for sharing ice-breaker support in southwest Ross Sea. Late season opening of the McMurdo air facilities.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No

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

N/A

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
No

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

New autonomous proposal, evolving from previous submissions in 2003 and 2004.

How will the project be organised and managed?
U.S. researchers will be in charge of marine airgun sources, OBS deployments, and MCS acquisition. New Zealand researchers will deploy on-land seismometers. Initial data analysis will be divided along the same lines as data collection. Later analysis will be integrated among all investigators.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The field program will provide opportunities for non-scientist participation through existing OPP outreach programs. Materials will be developed in collaboration with Colorado College for input to an innovative 3-D visual teaching tool, GeoWall, with a theme on the Transantarctic Mountains.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data will be made available via national and international data centers including NGDC, IRIS and SDLS.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
U.S. via NSF/OPP; NZ via GNS and national programme. (to be obtained)

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
No

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof Bruce Luyendyk
Dept. Geological. Sciences
Santa Barbara, CA
93106-9630
USA

Tel: 1 805 892 3009
Mobile: no
Fax: 1 805 893 2314
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation