Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Temporal Changes of Tidewater Glaciersic Drilling to Investigate Geology, Geomechanics, Gas Hydrates and Microbiology of Deep  (TWGl Change)

Outline
The proposed activity will focus on the following research areas concerning tidewater glaciers: 1)Dynamics of retreating tidewater glaciers: The processes that control calving rates and ice velocities during catastrophic retreat phase of tidewater glacier cycle have become better known, but still remain the subject of intense investigations. 2)Dynamics of advancing tidewater glaciers: The questions regarding on how tidewater glaciers advance and what controls their stability are of equal importance. 3)Erosion of bedrock and excavation of sediments: Velocities of retreating tidewater glaciers can accelerate to rates as high 30 m/d. Such high velocities must be associated with increased basal sliding, which can lead to accelerated erosion of bedrock. Conversely, during the advancing stage, tidewater glaciers can excavate significant quantities of overridden soft sediments, redepositing them in fjords, bays, and the ocean. 4)Ocean-glacier interactions: There is increasing evidence that stability of tidewater glaciers is in part related to oceanographic conditions including ocean temperatures and circulation patterns. Conversely, subglacial freshwater discharge at the base of calving termini can have a strong influence on ocean convection and introduce substantial nutrients to the biosphere. 5)The relationship between climate change, tidewater glaciers, and sea-level rise: Tidewater glaciers can be notoriously asynchronous when it comes to correlations with climate change. However, most tidewater glacier retreats are triggered by climate change, although sustained retreat and subsequent advance may remain relatively independent of climate thereafter. What is particularly important about tidewater glacier retreat is the significant drawdown that occurs all along the length of the glacier as a result of accelerated calving and ice flow to the terminus. Because of these factors, calving glaciers can contribute disproportionably greater amounts of meltwater to global sea level rise than their terrestrial cousins. 6)Post-glacial rebound: Rapid deglaciation fomented by calving retreats can lead to strong isostatic rebound effects such as is currently being observed in Glacier Bay. Understanding these effects is important for understanding crustal dynamics in tectonically active areas and for understanding rebound induced seismicity. 7)Freshwater vs. tidewater calving glaciers: the reason for the difference in dynamics of these two types of glaciers is still poorly understood. The largest temperate tidewater (and lacustrine) glaciers occur in the coastal regions of Alaska and South America. We intend to use these areas as our prime focus. We also propose to investigate tidewater glaciers in Svalbaard and the Antarctic Peninsula as part of this initiative.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Through this initiative we hope to: 1) Gain a better understanding of the dynamics of both tidewater and freshwater calving glaciers. 2) Determine how significant submarine melting is at a calving glacier and the relationship of oceanic conditions and calving glacier stability. 3) Better understand how regional tectonic stress fields are affected by glacier loading and unloading. 4) Gain a better understanding of how rapidly tidewater glaciers erode bedrock and excavate soft sediments. 5) What are the long-term consequences of tidewater glacier changes for global and regional sea level rise.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
International investigators of tidewater glaciers in British Columbia, Yukon Territory, Patagonia, Antarctic Peninsula, the high Arctic Canada, and Svalbaard.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Coastal regions of southcentral and southeast Alaska extending into British Columbia and Yukon Territory, Canada; Patagonia, South America; Svalbaard, and the Antarctic Pennisula.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 05/07 – 05/08      07/07 – 07/08       09/07 – 09/08
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
ship equipped with depth recorder (sonar); a combination of NPS/NASA research , commercial and private vessels aircraft- commercial, equipped with large-format camera and/or airborne profiling system, both of which are available from the PI’s helicopter- for use in glacier radio echo sounding; could be shared with other projects

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The proposed project will provide a basis for documenting the long-term behaviour of tidewater glaciers and their impacts on other environmental changes (eg: sea level, climate change) and social impacts (eg: shipping, tourist activities, fishing and coastal erosion)

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The proposed project is in the process of being considered by the US Committee for IPY. Our previous and ongoing tidewater glacier research has been funded by NSF-OPP and NASA. The proposed project will be submitted as a continuation of those projects.

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

The new proposed research will provide 2007-08 contributions to prior tidewater glacier research, all of which will expire in the years ≤ 2006. Existing NSF and NASA projects are: “Glacier, Climate, the Ocean and Solid Earth Deformation in SE Alaska”, NSF OPP “Contribution of Sea Level Rise Due to Changes in Ice Volume in Alaska”, NASA “Changes of Alaska Glaciers”, NSF-OPP “Dynamics of Taku Glacier”, NSF OPP “The Advance of Hubbard Glacier” , NSF OPP

How will the project be organised and managed?
The many aspects of this project will require detailed discussions between the various investigators, each with their expertise. Management of the various data will be preformed using GIS methods. The entire group will work on the interrelations of the different data sets. Each subgroup will write manuscripts on their various results and the entire team will contribute to high-profile articles. It should be noted that we will incorporate data from prior research with data gathered during the limited duration of the IPY initiative.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
It is important to inform governmental agencies, coastal communities, fisheries, biologists and oceanographers on changes of tidewater glaciers. The results of our studies can be published in appropriate manuscripts and communicated through public seminars. The research will allow high school student and undergraduate student participation.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The data acquired during this IPY project will form a baseline for determining changes of tidewater glaciers. Data management will consist of incorporating the data in GIS format and archiving it at the NSIDC in Boulder, CO. This data will then be available to others.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding will be sought via proposals submitted to NASA’s Cryospheric Sciences Program (or its successor, given NASA’s reorganization), and/or the National Science Foundation’s Office of Polar Programs. It will be necessary for participants in other countries to obtain funding from their own agencies, as per policy of the US government regarding international collaboration.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof  Roman Motyka
University of Alaska Fairbanks
903 Koyukuk Drive, PO Box 757320
Fairbanks, Alaska
99775-7320
USA

Tel: 907-586-1994
Mobile: no
Fax: no
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation