Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Mountain building and Ice Sheet Stability in GREENland  (MISS GREEN)

Outline
Numerical simulations of the development of the Inland Ice indicate that the existence of coastal mountains surrounding the interior of Greenland is decisive for the initial stage of build-up. The simulations show that ice sheet build-up begins as local glaciations in the coastal mountains where precipitation favours rapid glacial growth. These glaciers will flow towards the lower and dryer inland and start the formation of the Inland Ice. However, several recent studies indicate that kilometre-scale uplift affected both West and East Greenland in the most recent geological past – either prior to the onset or simultaneously with the late Cenozoic glaciations. In fact, West Greenland may have been low-lying prior to 10 million years ago according to results from an ongoing research project. If this were so, the formation of coastal mountains would be a major constraint on ice-sheet development models and on climate models at the start of the ice ages. Associated vertical movements of the sea floor must have led to changes of sea currents and thus to the oceanic heat exchange between the tropical and arctic Atlantic. We propose to further investigate the timing of the uplift of the coastal regions of Greenland during the late Cenozoic and to analyse how different scenarios could have affected the generation of the Inland Ice. This work would involve researchers from many branches of geoscience: glaciology, geomorphology, oceanography, geophysics, structural geology, climatology, sedimentology, biostratigraphy and geodynamic modelling. Uplift studies: A variety of methods need to be used to investigate uplift, erosion and redeposition as each method on its own investigates only one aspect of the phenomenon: Studies of thermochronology (e.g. apatite fission tracks), large-scale geomorphology, sediment supply and structural relations. We propose to investigate the late uplift history of at least two areas in Greenland; e.g. compare areas on the east coast with those already studied on the west coast. This implies two field seasons for making various observations and sampling of rocks for thermochronological analyses. Numerical modelling of uplift and exhumation will be carried out based on structural and geothermal data and modelling of feedback between lithospheric processes and ice-loading. Glaciological modeling: Models of the evolution of the Inland Ice should be tested for different geological and climate scenarios. Mass balance and ice-dynamic models based on present ice-sheet conditions should be used to study the conditions for inception and evolution of the ice sheet using different climate and basal uplift histories. The study group should eventually include modellers of climate and oceanography. The outcome of the investigations may have far-reaching influence on our understanding the Earth’s climate during the late Cenozoic and Holocene.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The project will address the causes of the dramatic CHANGE in the Earth’s climate in the last few million years: is the change in climate controlling the relief development that has lead to pronounced uplift and erosion across much of the planet – or –has tectonic changes deep in the Earth caused the rise of mountains (such as those on Greenland) that eventually triggered the onset of the Greenland ice sheet. A classical ‘chicken and egg’ problem. There is a GLOBAL LINKAGE from the proposed study to the unresolved question of the relative importance of tectonic and climate processes and to the causes of what has formed the young mountains along passive continental margins such as in Greenland and Scandinavia. Both issues represent NEW FRONTIERS in glaciology, climatology and geology and are currently under intense scientific debate.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
International collaboration between scientists from Denmark (GEUS, DTU), Sweden (Stockholm University ), Australia (Geotrack Int.), Norway (Oslo University – Physics of Geological Processes) We plan to coordinate with a number of international IPY activities with EoI submitted by; e.g: Trine Dahl-Jensen, Daniel Praeg, and Gary Nichols.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Greenland

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

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Access to inland areas in Greenland:HelicopterSupport to field campsCan be combined with other activities

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
NO

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
N. See attached note on General project endorsement by the Danish National Committee for IPY. http://www.dpc.dk/Res&Log/IPY/Endorsement.pdfRelates to the Danish national themes: Arctic Climate & Greenland’s Ice Sheet

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

New project established as a prolongation of - ongoing studies of uplift in West Greenland- ongoing geological studies in East Greenland- ongoing studies of present mass balance and dynamics of the Greenland ice sheet

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be managed by the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) with a long tradition of field work in Greenland. The glaciological modelling will be performed at Ørsted·DTU where expertise is available within studies and modelling of mass balance and dynamic of the Greenland ice sheet

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The study will involve students at different university levels and the proposal will involve application for funding of PhD students and post doc. fellows. The study will involve cooperation between government institutions, universities as well as oil and mining companies.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Samples and analytical results will be stored at the Geological Survey in Copenhagen. Full details of the results will be published on the web.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Financial support will be sought at the scientific funds in Denmark, Sweden and Norway supplemented by support from commercial companies with interests in mineral and petroleum resources in the area.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
The Danish community of polar researchers met 25 November 2004, and here a full day was dedicated to IPY plans and discussions. Here the plan to aim for a Danish/Greenlandic funded travese facitlity was formulated, but as yet there is no formal decisions on this.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr. Peter Japsen
Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS)
Øster Voldgade 10, DK-1350 Copenhagen K, Denmark
DK-1250
Denmark

Tel: +45 38 14 25 14
Mobile: no
Fax: +45 38 14 20 50
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation