Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #188: Holocene high frequency geomagnetic field dynamics in the Arctic  (Geomagnetic field dynamics in the Arctic)

Outline
Earth’s magnetic field is generated by the fluid motion in the liquid iron core. The strength and direction of the geomagnetic field varies at different timescales ranging from less than a year (geomagnetic jerks) to tens of millions of years (superchrons). Observations made on Earth’s magnetic field variability yield valuable information on the geodynamo, the fundamental phenomenon responsible for the generation and maintenance of the geomagnetic field. In order to establish a complete image of Earth’s magnetic field variability, it is essential to capture variations at the different spatial and temporal scales. The goal of this project is to determine the millennial- to secular-scale dynamics of the geomagnetic field in the Arctic, where the rate of change of its morphology (direction and intensity) is exceptionally high and where no paleointensity records are yet available. Such a lack of data in the Arctic can be explained by the elevated expenses and complex logistics associated with collecting sedimentary sequences in the Arctic. The International Polar Year thus provides a unique opportunity to optimize the resources and logistics associated with finding and sampling high resolution Arctic sedimentary sequences. Such Arctic sequences will allow the exploration of new scientific frontiers on the processes responsible for the geodynamo at timescales and areas quasi-unexplored.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Investigating new frontiers: the proposed Arctic research program will help determine the high frequency dynamics of Earth’s magnetic field in areas and at timescales quasi-unexplored: the millennial to secular timescales. It will provide the first paleointensity records and the first large-scale study of past geomagnetic field dynamics in the Arctic. Change in the polar regions/the polar regions as vantage points: recent observations on the position of the magnetic pole in the Canadian Arctic reveal that the velocity of the magnetic pole since the early 1970s has increased significantly from 9 km/yr to 41 km/yr. In addition, data from the Resolute Bay observatory, indicate that the annual rate of change in intensity has increased from about 10 nT/yr to almost 70 nT/yr during the last 50 years. These high rates of change along with the presence of a current dominant flux lobe illustrates how the Arctic could be a key area for understanding the dynamics of the! geomagnetic field at different timescales. Polar-global linkages and interaction: the proposed research will have the unique opportunity to explore relationships between past changes of Earth’s magnetic field reconstructed near the magnetic pole with those observed at lower latitudes.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
This program will build upon our existing collaborations in several international programs such as the Canadian Arctic Shelf Exchange Study (CASES), ArcticNet and the recently funded Polar Climate Stability Network in order to have access to the coring infrastructure of the CCGS Amundsen icebreaker.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Sedimentary cores will be collected in the Chukchi and East Siberian seas, Mackenzie Trough, Beaufort Sea, along the Northwest Passage and in the Eastern Canadian Arctic.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 08/2007 – 09/2007       08/2008 – 09/2008      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The main logistic support will be an icebreaker equipped for piston coring, multibeam and sub-bottom profiling capabilities such as the CCGS Amundsen. This resource can easily be shared, as piston coring only requires a fraction of the available ship time.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
This project will make use of existing infrastructures and equipments, therefore leaving no infrastructure legacy.

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

A major portion of the logistics required is already secured through research programs such as CASES, ArcticNet and government agencies such as DFO, NRCan and the Canadian Coast Guard.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The project is still in development and no endorsement has yet been sought. This pre-proposal has been reviewed and is being submitted by the Canadian Steering Committee (CSC). Ongoing discussions will integrate this pre-proposal into a larger network of related national and international initiatives. The CSC has initially sorted this pre-proposal into: THEME: Education, Outreach & Communication SUB-THEME: Geoscience and new technologies/challenges for sustainable development

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

This project will be built upon the success of programs such as CASES and ArcticNet, through which high sedimentation accumulation areas were recently discovered in Arctic Canada by multibeam and sub-bottom profiling. It will also benefit from already secured ship time on board the Amundsen.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be organized and managed by the two principal investigators (Guillaume St-Onge and Joseph Stoner) and in active collaboration with the researchers of theme 1.6 of the ArcticNet program (The opening of the NW Passage: resources, navigation, sovereignty & security) and theme 3 of the recently funded Polar Climate Stability Network program (The Arctic/North Atlantic Oscillation (AO-NAO) and the role of the Arctic Ocean in the climate system).

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
This research project will benefit from the already existing outreach structure of the ArcticNet network such as the “School on Board” program, community visits and media coverage.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
This research project will benefit from the data management structure already in place for the ArcticNet program.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
A major portion of the ship time required is already secured through research programs such as CASES, ArcticNet and the Polar Climate Stability Network. Nevertheless, additional funding will be required to obtain dedicated time on the CCGS Amundsen, logistic support, student salaries and analyses.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
The proposed Arctic sampling program will help determine the high frequency dynamics of Earth’s magnetic field in areas and at timescales quasi-unexplored. It will provide the first paleointensity record and the first large-scale study of past geomagnetic field dynamics in the Arctic. In addition, this research will provide essential dating curves for the chronostratigraphic framework of ongoing and future paleoclimate research in Arctic Canada aimed at determining the natural variability of the Arctic climate: an essential aspect to consider in order to assess future climatic changes.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof  Guillaume St-Onge
Université du Québec à Rimouski
310, allée des Ursulines
Rimouski, Québec
G5L 3A1
Canada

Tel: (418) 723-1986 ex. 1741
Mobile: (418) 724-1650
Fax: (418) 724-1842
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation