Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Large scale tectonics and deep structure of the Greenland shield  (Large scale tectonics and deep structure of the Greenland shield)

Outline
Knowledge of the interior of Greenland is today restricted to potential field data, a number of point measurements of crustal thickness and initial models of upper mantle S wave velocity (GLATIS. Below questions that can be illuminated by a combination of wide-angle and near vertical incidence seismic lines in the interior of Greenland, complemented by additional earthquake observation in arrays in selected areas: "Yellow Snow". Between NorthGRIP and Summit Camp several authors have – based on radioecho measurements of internal layers in the ice and models of heatflow through the ice - suggested anomalous high heatflow ranging from 120 mW/m2 to 900 mW/m2 (as in Yellowstone). An array of 15-25 passive earthquake stations would add good information on both P but particularly S wave structure in the area, as well as additional knowledge on crustal thickness. Depth to Moho varies nearly 10 km between NorthGRIP and Summit Camp. Dahl-Jensen et al (2003) suggests this to mark the boundary between two separate Proterozoic blocks; the Nagssugtoqidian to the Rinkian. The jump coincides with a major boundary in the gravity anomaly map. In southern Greenland a strong an east-west trending positive gravity anomaly coincides with a magnetic anomaly, interpreted as the boundary between the Archean block and the Nagssugtoqidian. Offshore seismic data document a large persistent drainage system in the Disk Bay area (Chalk – Paleogene). How far inland this system reaches is an open question. Are there sedimentary basins in the hinterland? Sedimentary blocks are found offshore in dredges and hint that there might be. The Greenland plate may extend beyond Greenland itself – an interdisciplinary project in the Nares Strait in 2001 found no evidence for strike slip movement in the strait. This would imply that SE Ellesmere Island is part of the Greenland plate and not of the North American plate. A good location for a refraction profile would be Jones Sound or Lancaster Sound. Several deep transects exist offshore Greenland, and lines line adressing the above would contribute to building geotransects across the entire Greenland shield.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This project can be related to the international Themes 3,4 and 5.The Danish National IPY commitee has seltected the theme: Greenland's Ice Sheet - Scientific Frontiers as one of three main themes, and this project under this heading.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The proposed activities involve scientists from Denmark, and we plan to coordinate with a number of international IPY activities with EoI submitted by :Alexander Braun, Canada (including Bea Csatho (Byrd Polar Research Center, ,Ohio State University)as well as a number of Danish submitted EoI (Dorthe Dahl-Jensen, Peter Japsen)

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:
Greenland: C130/Twin Otter support Support for field camps and traversesThe platforms can be shared with other projects; several suggestions from Danish researchers to utilise a traverse facility.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Yes:Traverse facility

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
NO - Please se general endorsement letter from the Danish National IPY Commitee on http://www.dpc.dk/Res&Log/IPY/Endorsement.pdf

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

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.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The initial plans are to include budgets for PhD and Post Doc positions in the national applications for the project thereby involving young scientists in polar research. The involved groups have experience in outreach through homepages, popular articles and television programs.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data will be made available; although detailed plans for how are not made at present

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funds will be obtained from Dansih IPY funds, but there is at present do decision on this. International funding will also be sought from sources such as the EU.

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

Senior Geophysicist Trine Dahl-Jensen
Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS)
Øster Voldgade 10
Copenhagen K
DK-1350
Denmark

Tel: +45 38 14 25 19
Mobile: no
Fax: no
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation