Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Mapping polar regions – an integrated bathymetric, geological and geophysical mapping project  (Mapping polar regions)

Outline
Maps are a critical data resource for a wide range of activities including exploration, and data presentation, interpretation and modelling. This project provides a framework for international co-operation during IPY to combine mapping information from national agencies to provide a web-based resource available to all during and in the aftermath of IPY. The data will include swath mapping of the ocean floor of the Southern and Arctic oceans and the adjacent continental margins, magnetic data from ship- and air-borne surveys, on-shore and off-shore geological data from field surveys and sea-floor sampling, and satellite-derived data.The end-product will be a series of state of the art topographic and geological maps for use by amateur and professional alike.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The Framework for the International Polar Year 2007-2008 states that ‘Beneath the polar ice sheets and under the ice-covered oceans, the bedrock and sea floor are largely unknown’. The lack of knowledge results partly from difficulties of access and ice-cover, partly from gaps in coverage, and partly from the best use not having been made of existing data. By sharing the data we do have, we maximise the quality of interpretations and can target areas for future survey more scientifically.The project will also provide a legacy, not only in the output of mapping products during IPY, but also we hope as a cultural change in national agencies toward a greater willingness to share survey and monitoring information.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
No fieldwork activities are anticipated under this project.

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

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
N/A

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
N/A

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
We are seeking endorsement by national committees. We will seek IUGS (Commission for the Geological Map of the World) approval. We are actively seeking SCAR approval.

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?
New

There is no existing or planned programme that encompasses the research described in this proposal. This proposed project is a new initiative, although it follows successful Antarctic international mapping consortia, notably ADMAP.

How will the project be organised and managed?
This is an inexpensive project, and funds available for project management are likely to be minimal. An international committee will manage the project. A project leader will be tasked with day-to-day running of a virtual ‘office’. Individual map sub-projects (compiling particlar data sets) will be run by individual international or national teams (the analogy would be with the ADMAP working Group). The group will meet at the SCAR International Symposium for Antarctic Earth Sciences (ISAES) in September, 2007.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The main outputs of the project are expected to be web-based products, which will be available to all. This will be the focus of our communication efforts. The main mapping product web pages will be balanced by the parallel development of web-pages explaining the maps and designed for children.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The project is not designed as a collection mechanism for new data. It is meant to bring together data collected under other national projects into an international forum. The primary data and metadata management responsibility will remain with the collecting agencies. The project will follow IPY directions on dealing with data and metadata where relevant.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding will be through national agencies (where appropriate), and through core time of scientists involved in the project. We will apply for funds from the UNESCO International Geological Correlation Programme to cover costs of attendance of some programme members at meetings. Funded national projects:British Antarctic Survey, Geological Sciences Long Term Survey and Monitoring Programme (UK)

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
There are potential strong links with the International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE: 2005-2007) and the celebrations of the bicentenary of the Geological Society of London (2007).

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Philip Leat
British Antarctic Survey
High Cross, Madingley Road
Cambridge
CB3 0ET
UK

Tel: +44 (0)1223 221432
Mobile: no
Fax: +44(0)1223 221646
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation