Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Pine Island Glacier: ice dynamics and recent evolution in the onset region.  (PIGIDOR)

Outline
The stability and possible collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) still remains as one of the main unsolved problems of glaciology. By means of recent satellite and airborne studies the glaciers of the Amundsen Sea coast have been recognised as the fastest changing glaciers within WAIS, with widespread thinning, grounding line retreat and ice acceleration in recent years. Observations show that glacier wasting and acceleration are larger at the coast, diminishing toward the interior of the ice sheet. There is also evidence of ocean warming and freshening which is probably a direct cause for ice shelf collapse observed in the region. We believe that the collapse of the ice shelves is leading to a decrease of their buttressing effect as predicted by basic ice dynamic models.One of the glaciers where prominent changes have been detected is Pine Island Glacier (PIG), which is the fastest flowing glacier in Antarctica and which has a unique shape with a bottleneck between its upper accumulation catchment and its lower drainage area. There is a need for detailed studies at the onset region for fast ice flow and the ice divide area of PIG, which could give key information regarding its present state of balance and its future stability.In this project we propose to conduct ground studies by means of tractor traverses over the onset region of fast flow of PIG and its ice divide with Rutford Ice Stream, the Ellsworth region and Institute Ice Stream. Sensors would include a traditional ice depth radar for detailed ice thickness sounding, a new radar prototype for 3-D imaging of the radar bed yielding relevant data of glacier bed properties, a shallow-sounding radar for detection of annual layering and precise GPS positioning of the glacier surface. A network of surface stakes would also be installed and remeasured after a 1-year period for detecting ice velocities and glacier deformation. The main tracks would be remeasured after 1-year for deriving glacier elevation changes. Surface snow samples and shallow (< 50 m) firn cores would also be retrieved to analyse the climate and environmental evolution in the last ~ 200 years. During year 1 AWS and GPS stations would also be deployed in the field for obtaining present climate conditions and continuous glacier velocities of the onset region of PIG. Real time access to AWS will be provided by satellite link.The new IPY data we propose to collect will complement the 2002 and 2004 CECS/NASA/ARMADA DE CHILE airborne laser altimetry and radar data campaigns conducted over the coastal and lower elevation region of PIG. Data would allow detecting the location of the onset of fast ice stream flow, spatial changes in ice velocities, ice thinning/thickening rates and ice divide migration in the recent past. Basic models of ice sheet dynamics would be applied for deriving ice sheet stability and predicting future evolution of PIG.Data would provide valuable ground truthing for satellite studies of interferometric velocities in the region, and elevation changes derived from both radar and laser altimeters.The data will be complemented by data collected previously on PIG by BAS and NSF.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This project is particularly important in regard to IPY themes 1, 2 and 4. The data to be collected will establish a baseline of ground data for studying the present and recent evolution of the upper PIG catchment area, which is critically relevant for the stability of the WAIS.Our data will improve current mass balance estimates at PIG, having an important impact on global sea level rise.The project brings together a multinational team with prior experience in the region as demonstrated by the earlier CECS/NASA/ARMADA DE CHILE airborne campaigns and the successful 2004 CECS/CHILEAN ARMY/BRAZIL tractor traverse from Patriot Hills to the South Pole, focusing on traditional logistic means combined with state of the art sensors.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
This project brings together teams from Centro de Estudios Científicos (Chile), NASA Wallops (USA), NASA JPL (USA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFDRGS, Brazil) and Chilean armed forces (cooperation both for logistics and geodetic studies). Cooperation is being sought with University of Kansas for testing their new ice imaging radar. Contacts will be established with BAS and NSF to complement their earlier and future studies in the region.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The field campaigns will be carried out on the upper PIG glacier, covering specific transects and areas within the ice divide/onset region between 77º S and 82º S/90º and 105º W. Approach to the area will be carried out by means of a Berco TL-6 tractor convoy of the Chilean Army from the Chilean summer base station at Patriot Hills, 80º18’ S, 81º 25’ W.

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

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
CECS has well established experience working with the Chilean Air Force who operate the summer base Parodi at Patriot Hills using both Hercules C-130 aircraft landing on wheels on the blue ice runway and ski-equipped Twin Otters based at Patriot Hills, and also with the Chilean Army who have recently purchased a fully equipped Berco TL-6 tractor convoy currently stored at Patriot Hills. The Chilean Air Force and possibly also the company Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions will be in charge of transporting material and people from Punta Arenas to Patriot Hills, while the Chilean Army will be in charge of operating the tractor from Patriot Hills to PIG and back. Contacts will be made with BAS, NSF and other scientific parties to share logistic resources if there are concurring plans in the area.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The project will leave AWS stations with real time transmission for at least 1-2 years beyond IPY. It will also demonstrate that long-range tractor traverses are an efficient means for deploying modern instrumentation useful for ice dynamics and climate research.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Consortium
National agency
Military support
Commercial operator
Other sources of support

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
We plan to submit a proposal for a proposal to Chilean Agencies in 2005, and a companion proposal to NASA and the Brazilian Antarctic Programme the same year.

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?


This project started as an airborne project in 2002, but is a new proposal in that it comprises future ground traverses in the region.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Project leaders will be determined by scientific topics (climatology, radar sounding, GPS, firn coring, stake deployment and measurement). Each field mission will be coordinated by a lead scientist. Most of our team members have prior experience organisig large field projects and have collaborated closely in recent years in Antarctica. Scientific meetings will be held periodically to coordinate activities, plan field deployments, seek international collaboration and outreach the broader community. Our project will involve students both in Chile, the USA and Brazil.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
We seek to deploy AWS with satellite links to Chile, Brazil and the USA for real time downlinking of data, which will be made accessible to students and the public by the internet. This will provide real time access to data as well as continuous climate observations beyond field campaigns. The program will involve active participation of students in the field and at the laboratory. Web sites aimed at informing the general public will be developed in each country.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Field data collected and analysed in this project will be public domain according to CECS/NASA and UFDRGS policy. Glaciological data will be distributed to NSIDC. AWS climate data will be posted on the web.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
We propose to obtain funds from the Chilean Science Agency (CONICYT), CECS institutional funding, the Chilean Armed Forces (Army and Air Force), NASA (cryospheric science program), and Brazil’s Antarctic Programme (PROANTAR). Research proposals to each institution in 2005.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Gino Casassa
Av. Prat 514



Chile

Tel: +56 63 234540
Mobile: +56. 9 917 0899
Fax: +56 63 234517
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation