Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Geodynamic, depositional and environmental history of the region off the Amery Ice Shelf (Prydz Bay – Kerguelen Plateau Geotransect)  (Prydz-Kerguelen Geotransect)

Outline
Marine and aerogeophysical surveys in the East Antarctic region between Prydz Bay and Kerguelen Plateau: reflection MCS studies; wide-aperture (refraction & reflection) experiments using two ships technology and three-component bottom and surface seismic stations; shipboard and airborne magnetic/gravity observations; 3D bathymetry survey; bottom sampling. Integration of newly acquired and previously collected data and their interpretation in context of crucial lithosphere geodynamics and environmental challenges, such as: (1) structure and extensional history of rifted continental crust and its interrelations with oceanic and volcanic crust, the position and nature of continent-ocean boundary, timing and geodynamic regime of seafloor formation; (2) tectonic nature of the southern Kerguelen Plateau (oceanic edifice or continental sliver), relationship between seafloor spreading and formation of large igneous provinces (LIPs), mode of emplacement of Kerguelen plume and impact of its evolution on the Antarctic environment and formation of oceanic gateways; (3) subsidence history of the Prydz Bay – Cooperation Sea basin and the beginning of deep oceanic circulation between Kerguelen Plateau and east Antarctica; (4) variability of seismic facies, age and depositional environments of major sedimentary units/sequences; (5) onset of Antarctic glaciation and East Antarctic Ice Sheet history in relation to Cenozoic environmental changes in the southern Indian Ocean.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Input in understanding the fundamental geodynamic and deep-seated magmatic processes leading to supercontinents’ breakup and evolution of oceans, appearance and maturation of passive continental margins, emergence of large igneous provinces and oceanic plateaus; identifying structural parameters and physical properties of the Earth’s crust beneath the Cooperation Sea and Kerguelen Plateau, constraining the history of East Gondwana separation and formation of the Indian Ocean; reconstructing the past changes in oceanic circulation in the Southern Polar region and evaluating the impacts of these processes on climate variability and the history of East Antarctic Ice Sheet.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Implementation of the project, field activities in particular, is planned in close collaboration with Alfred Wegener Institute (Germany) and Australian Antarctic Division and/or Geoscience Australia. The proposed regional study in the Prydz Bay – Kerguelen Plateau area of East Antarctica may on the whole be regarded as a sub-project with respect to a much broader IPY bi-polar initiative “Polar Gates” (Polar Ocean Gateways: The keys for long-term global change) endorsed by earth science communities in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Norway, Russia, UK and USA.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The southern part of East Antarctic sector of the Indian Ocean encompassing the southern Kerguelen Plateau and eastern Cooperation Sea (Prydz Bay and Princess Elizabeth Strait)

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 01/2008 – 03/2008            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Marine studies: R/V “Akademik Alexander Karpinsky” for multichannel seismic, gravity and magnetic observations – available from PMGRE, Russia; R/V “Polarstern” for bottom sampling and wide-aperture seismic experiments – available from AWI, Germany; additional support as required – provided by Australian R/V. Aerogeophysical survey: Fixed-wing aircraft DC-3 and helicopters onboard R/V “Polarstern”for airborne gravity, magnetics, radar measurements and laser altimetry (subject to agreement with BASLER Co. through ALCI, Ltd.) Fixed-wing DC-3 equipped for complex geophysical observations can be used for many other Antarctic projects.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
A long-range DC-3 aircraft equipped for complex aerogeophysical surveys will present a significant contribution to infrastructure for earth science research in Antarctica. Upgrading seismic equipment on board R/V “Akademik Alexander Karpinsky” will serve a similar purpose..

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

Logistics for marine investigations are sufficiently well secured by existing vessels and their onboard equipment. Availability of DC-3 aircraft and the possibilities for installation of required instrumentation must be clarified with the commercial owner and operating air company

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
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: Support of “Polar Gates” IPY initiative in SCAR Advisory Committee paper on IPY

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?
No

The project falls within Russian long-term Antarctic earth science program providing for its implementation during 53-rd (2007-2008) Russian Antarctic Expedition, subject to due coordination with German and Australian partners. It is closely linked with a separate Russian IPY proposal for aerogeophysical investigations in East Antarctica and a similar Australian-German IPY initiative “Giga Gap”; it also makes an important component of international IPY initiative “Polar Gates”.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Marine and aerogeophysical investigations during 53-rd RAE will be planned, prepared and managed by responsible Russian authorities in collaboration with respective headquarters in Germany (AWI) and Australia (AustralianAntarctic Division and/or Geoscience Australia). The processing of acquired field data, their interpretation in the context of proposed project and joint publication of the results will be undertaken in close coordination with implementation plans of related international and national IPY initiatives (“Polar Gates”, “GigaGap”, “ICECAP”, “AeroGeo”, etc.)

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The project results will be published in national and international journals and may be used for educational purposes as examples of up-to-date factual evidence and the consequent modern concepts bearing on geological history of continental margins and mechanisms of ocean formation. Digital processing of raw data, selection and systematization of earlier knowledge and creating a comprehensive project database will involve active participation of students and young scientists as means of their training in regional geology, tectonics, marine and polar studies.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Upon completion of processing and joint publication of principal results, and subject to agreement between the partners, all new data acquired in the course of the project, including the comprehensive integrated database and the conclusions emerging from the study, will be made available in public domain through international data centers and/or other mechanisms provided by ongoing (or established in the future) programs, such as SLDS, ADMAP, IBSCO, etc.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The financial support for project activities will be sought by the collaborating parties from their respective national sources.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Ph.D. German Leichenkov
1 Angliisky Ave.
St. Petersburg
190121
Russia

Tel: 7-812-312-3551
Mobile: 7-812-954-9832
Fax: 7-812-114-1470
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation