Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Tectonic Map of the Earth’s Polar Regions  (TEMPORE (Tectonic Map of the Earth's Polar Regions))

Outline
The existing general tectonic and structural maps of the Arctic and the Antarctic were published more than 20 years ago. Since then, a vast amount of new data was accumulated in both Polar Regions, especially in their oceanic parts and continent-to-ocean transition zones, and a considerable progress was made in understanding their tectonic evolution. This enables the compilation of up-to-date tectonic maps of the Arctic and the Antarctic with unified legend and projection, given adequate coordination and scientific guidance required for integrating abundant data that are either disseminated in the literature and/or held by multinational organizations involved in high-latitude Earth science research. The optimal scale of compilation (in the range between 1:10,000,000 and 1:20,000,000) is to be chosen depending on the level of definition of details and the geographical limits of the map. The map should be accompanied by explanatory notes highlighting the main tectonic features of the Polar Regions in a comparative context. The project, initiated by Yu. Leonov and G. Grikurov (CGMW Tectonic Maps and Antarctica Subcommissions, respectively), will be placed under the aegis of the CGMW and carried out by the teams appointed by the countries concerned. It will come within the scope of the preparation of the IPY and the 33rd International Geological Congress (Oslo 2008).

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The proposed project is truly international in its concept and means of implementation. It has bipolar targets and is expected to achieve the following goals: (1) To further fundamental concepts of the Earth’s evolution by portraying the tectonic structure of Polar regions and identifying the main regularities in formation of major crustal provinces and assemblages; (2) To improve the models of development of geodynamic and deep-seated magmatic processes that led to fragmentation of supercontinents and emergence of oceans.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Collaboration of earth scientists from many countries under the auspices of CGMW, and with endorsement of IASC and SCAR. The project will help to stimulate cooperative efforts of representatives from all IASC and SCAR members willing to provide the relevant data and qualified expertise and contribute financially to project activities.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Field activities are not planned

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: No field activities      No field activities      Logistic support is not required.
Antarctic: Logistic support is not required.      Logistics are not required.      Logistics are not required.

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
No logistics required

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The project will leave no infrastructure for future years

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

No logistics required

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
International endorsement: Resolutions 39, 40, 45, 83 and 84 of the CGMW General Assembly in Florence, 2004; paper by SCAR Advisory Committee on the IPY. National endorsement: IPY working group of Russian Academy of Sciences; Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation; Organizing Committee for participation of the Russian Federation in 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?
Yes

CGMW and Nordic national geological surveys intend to produce a Circum-Arctic geological-geophysical Atlas. The proposed new bi-polar project is coordinated with these already existing initiatives in accordance with IPY 2007-2008 overall objectives and specific themes.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be managed by CGMW through coordinated efforts of its sub-commissions (S/C for Tectonic maps – general scientific supervision and final editing, S/C for Antarctica, Northern Eurasia, North & Central America, Europe & Seafloor maps – compilation activities). The Arctic map will be drawn by Russian institutions (VSEGEI, VNIIOkeangeologia & CIN RAS) in close cooperation with the scientists from Nordic countries. The draft of the Antarctic map will originally be prepared mainly in VNIIOkeangeologia in close cooperation with Antarctic surveys and universities of other countries.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The resulting maps and explanatory notes will be widely disseminated as both printed and digital products and can be used for educational purposes as a scientific generalization on aspects of global geology. Selection and systematization of source data and their digital processing will involve active participation of students and young scientists as means of their training in regional geology, tectonics, marine and polar studies. A particular effort will be made to ensure the diffusion of the maps during the 33rd International Geological Congress (Oslo 2008).

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
All cartographic products emerging from the project will be available in hard paper and digital formats. The digitized products will be exhibited at CGMW web page and websites of participating institutions. Printed products will be marketed in accordance with CGMW routine and can on request be accompanied by digital copies on CD-ROM.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The financial support for compilation activities will be sought by the collaborating institutions from national sources. The expenses for adjustment of the legends, general coordination of the project and printing of final products are expected to be covered from CGMW and UNESCO funds.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
The main focus of the project will be to search for, select and capture the already existing relevant data (probably with minor additional analytical work) and systematize them in the light of a comprehensive geodynamic concept that would enable cartographic presentation of tectonic structure and evolution of both Polar Regions in a unified legend.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof Jean-Paul Cadet
COMMISSION FOR THE GEOLOGICAL MAP OF THE WORLD
77, rue Claude-Bernard
Paris
75005
France

Tel: +33 1 47 07 22 84
Mobile: no
Fax: +33 1 43 36 95 18
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation