Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Search for Meteorites in Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica.  (Search for meteorites in DML)

Outline
This program aims to collect meteorites in the Nansen ice field where is the plateau of hinterland of the Sor Rondane Mountains. The main part of this program is the field survey and sampling using ski-doo. The collected meteorites will be carried out the initial processing and archived at the National Institue of Polar Research (NIPR) and will be distributed to the international science community in due course. This program expects to use the new Belgian Station in the Sor Rondane Mountains.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The blue ice field in the East Antarcica is a bonanza of the extraterrestrial materials: meteorites and cosmic dust. These specimens contribute our knowledge of the evolution of the planet. In the proposed area, the search for meteorites was conducted 15years ago and still many meteorites are expected.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
This project, including the field work and laboratory analytical work will be conducted by international geologists' collaboration.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Nansen Ice field, Dronning Maud Land

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: TBC            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Dronning Maud Land Air Network(DROMLAN), the new Belgian international station, snow-vehicles, ski-doos. These facilities will be shared by pother field activities such as geological and geomorphological survey..

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The technique and experience of the search for meteorite in the field should be taken over by the younger generation. Some young geoscientists in the team will succeed the technique in the field. Thus this project is considered to leave a legacy of the technique.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Consortium
Own national polar operator
Another national polar operator
Commercial operator

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Further details – This project has been endorsed by Japanese National IPY Committee.

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?

How will the project be organised and managed?
This project will be organized and managed by the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
All the data obtained by this project will be managed by the standard procedure at the Antarctic Meteorite Research Center (AMRC) in the National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR) in Japan as they have a lot of experience. Collected specimens are stored in AMRC

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The main part of the fund will be provided by Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition and National Institute of Polar Research. We will also propose to the Japanese Society for Promotion of Science.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr. Hideyasu Kojima
1-9-10 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo


173-8515
Japan

Tel: +81-3-3962-4871
Mobile: no
Fax: +81-3-3962-5741
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation