Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Late Mesozoic - Cenozoic tectono-magmatic history of the Barents Sea shelf and slope as a clue to paleodynamic reconstructions in the Arctic Ocean  (Late Mesozoic - Cenozoic tectono-magmatic history of the Barents Sea shelf and slope as a clue to paleodynamic reconstructions in the Arctic Ocean)

Outline
The Arctic shelf bordering the Eurasian deep seafloor between Yermak Plateau and the Laptev Sea is unique among world’s passive continental margins in abundance of large island archipelagoes lying almost immediately adjacent to the shelf edge. This, and the absence of latest Mesozoic-Cenozoic sequences in the uppermost part of the Barents-Kara Basin sedimentary fill suggests significant Alpine uplift and accompanying erosion but neither the exact timing of this process within the Alpine stage, nor the cause of a marked elevation of outer continental shelf immediately adjacent to contemporaneously deepening ocean floor are understood. At the same time, the presence of extensive bedrock elevations offers a rare opportunity for direct geological investigation of key tectono-stratigraphic units and igneous assemblages. Combined with relatively dense offshore seismic evidence and drilling data, this provides a sound base for recognizing in the Barents Sea Basin the manifestations of those pre-, syn- and post-rift structural and magmatic events that led to breakup and subsequent separation of the Laurasia supercontinent. Improved understanding of Late Mesozoic – Cenozoic geodynamic evolution of the Barents Sea continental margin will, in turn, enable better insight into rifting/spreading history of the Arctic Ocean. Narrowing time interval(s) of main uplift impulse(s) and quantifying their amplitudes in relation to late Cenozoic glacial-influenced erosional/sedimentation processes, associated isostatic rebounds and changes of temperature regimes will be critical in paleoenvironmental context and, most importantly, for evaluating the impact of those events on petroleum systems. The proposed project activities include: (1) synthesizing available evidence on rift-related igneous events and specifying geodynamic environments of individual magmatic manifestations within the Arctic Large Igneous Province; (2) integrating seismic, gravity and magnetic data with geological information and drilling results in order to (i) identify the general structure of the crust, (ii) recognize the outlines of Cenozoic depositional areas and reconstruct their paleoenvironments, and (iii) model vertical movements responsible for depositional & erosional processes; (3) revising the existing concepts of glacial history and glacio-isostatic processes; (4) developing a comprehensive model of Late Mesozoic-Cenozoic tectono-magmatic evolution of the Barents Sea continental margin in relation to adjacent deep oceanic seabed of the Eurasian Basin.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
(1) Input in modeling the geodynamic and deep-seated magmatic processes responsible for fundamental changes in the face of the Earth and distribution of mineral resources in the Polar regions; (2) improved understanding of rifting/spreading history of the Arctic Ocean and geodynamic evolution of its continental margin; (2) insight into causes and mechanism of Tertiary tectonic uplift of the Barents-North Kara shelf and influence of this event on hydrocarbon potential of respective sedimentary basins; (4) unraveling the recent (Plio-Pleistocene) history of the Barents region in terms of glaciations, related isostatic movements, climate and sea level changes, depositional and erosional processes.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Close Russian-Norwegian collaboration in joint study of the geological structure and hydrocarbon potential of the Barents Sea at all stages of project implementation; input in cooperative efforts undertaken by Nordic earth science community towards solving the ambiguities in geological history of the Arctic basin; contribution to other IPY-related initiatives addressing the cartographic presentations of geological structure and tectonic evolution of the Arctic (“The Circum-Arctic Geological-Geophysical Atlas”, “Tectonic Map of the Earth’s Polar Regions”).

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The Arctic outer shelf and continental margin of Barents and Kara Seas between Yermak Plateau and Laptev Sea, the archipelagoes of Svalbard, Franz Josef Land, possibly Novaya Zemlya.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 07/06-09/06      07/07-09/07      07/08-09/08
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
R/V “Akademik Nikolai Strakhov” for high resolution seismic profiling, bottom sampling, 3D bathymetry survey – available from Geological Institute of RAS (GIN RAS); M/V “Dal’nye Zelentzy” – available from Murmansk Marine Biological Institute of RAS (MMBI RAS). In addition to marine studies, both vessels will provide logistic support for geological landings on the archipelagoes. Geological observation on Svalbard will also require helicopter support.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
YES - Installation of state-of-the-art equipment on R/V “Akademik Nikolai Strakhov” is planned as part of project activities and will leave a legacy of infrastructure for future studies.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
YES - National endorsement: IPY working group of Russian Academy of Sciences; Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation (MNR); IPY Organizing Committee of the Russian Federation International endorsement: Universities of Oslo, Tromsø, Bergen; Norwegian Petroleum Directorate; STATOIL Co. `

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 project is a new component of multidisciplinary bilateral cooperation in marine and Polar studies developed under existing intergovernmental and interagency Russian-Norwegian agreements.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Scientific supervision and logistic implementation of the project will be executed by Russian-Norwegian working group.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Scientific supervision and logistic implementation of the project will be executed by Russian-Norwegian working group.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The end products of the project will be placed on websites of the participating parties and used by national authorities in planning explorations activities in the Barents-Kara region. Scientific results and relevant source data information will be jointly published in national and international journals.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Expedition activities will mainly be funded from budget sources of the participating Russian agencies and organizations, with possible additional investment from Norwegian partners. Indoor scientific research will be paid for by additional agreement between the parties.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Andrew Zayonchek
Geological Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences (GIN RAS), Laboratory for Geology and Mineral Resources of the Polar Regions
1 Angliisky Ave
St. Petersburg
190121
Russia

Tel: 7-812-318-5028
Mobile: no
Fax: 7-812-114-1470
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation