Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Surge mechanism of a High Arctic Glacier: Monacobreen, Svalbard  (SUMMS: Surge mechanism of Monacobreen, Svalbard)

Outline
Surging is a ice flow instability in which a glacier switches between long periods of slow flow and short periods of flow in which ice velocities may increase by 10-1000 times despite very little change in the driving stress. The fast flow is facilitated by fundamental changes in conditions at the glacier bed and results in large volumes of ice being transported downglacier and strong thinning of parts of the glacier. This ice is vulnerable to melt and iceberg calving, both of which contribute to global sea level rise. Similar switches in the flow behaviour have been observed at a number of Greenland outlet glaciers, which are the volume regulators of this major ice sheet. For example, Jakobshavn isbrae has switched from stable to faster flow over the past few years1,2, as have other marginal regions of the Greenland ice sheet. Changes in the processes operating at the bed facilitated by the arrival of seasonal meltwater may be the cause. The dynamic changes driven by such processes have profound implications for global sea level, ocean circulation and regional climate, but are as yet inadequately incorporated into ice sheet models because of a lack of understanding of their cause. The aim of this IPY activity is to investigate the surge mechanism of Monacobreen in northern Svalbard, in particular to understand the relationship between basal conditions and surface dynamics. Monacobreen has the best observations of its ice dynamics during any surge event, resulting from InSAR analysis3,4, however nothing is known of the thermal regime or basal conditions and there is insufficient information on the glacier to allow models of the controls of the event to be developed. The objectives of the study are to: - characterise the glacier thermal regime and basal conditions using reflection seismics and ground-penetrating radar. - characterise contemporary flow field using GPS measurements and satellite data (Envisat ASAR, ALOS PALSAR and Tera ASTER). - identify controls on surface flow; what basal conditions cause regions of faster and slower flow? - measure bed depth for use in ice dynamic models. - identify processes facilitating and controlling surge behaviour; does the glacier conform to the thermally controlled Svalbard surge mechanism identified for Bakaninbreen5,6? - use force balance analysis to identify the changing role of the glacier bed, sides and longitudinal stresses during the surge event. - use ice dynamic models to investigate the surge mechanism7.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This IPY activity addresses a key question within theme 3 of the IPY, namely: “What is the stability of the Earth’s major ice masses and what will be their impact on global mean sea level?”. The activity will furthermore provide validation for remotely sensed observations of the land-based cryosphere by in situ observations, which is identified in the INTERNATIONAL POLAR YEAR 2007-2008 OUTLINE SCIENCE PLAN as necessary to “establish the status of the polar environment”.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The activity is a joint UK-Norwegian activity and dovetails with logistics for an international expedition to Nordaustlandet. The project also provides links between the Arctic community within the UK (largely university-based) and the Antarctic community (largely-BAS), by including BAS scientists and expertise within an Arctic field-based project.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Monacobreen, northern Spitsbergen, Svalbard (79° 24’N, 12° 34’E).

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 04/2008-05/2008            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Equipment will be cached in summer 2007 by sea and cleared in the same manner the following year. Helicopter and snowscooters will be used to access the field site. Satellite data have been awarded to this project through the ESA projects. Logistics can be shared with the international Nordaustlandet expedition.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No

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

We plan to use the Norwegian Polar Institute vessel Lance to establish the equipment cache. We will seek permission from the Svalbard Governor to use the hut “Texas Bar” as a base during the field season. Helicopters and snowscooters can be rented in Longyearbyen.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
That is the purpose of this outline bid to the UK and International 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?
Yes

This activity is an extension of work undertaken by the proposers on glacier surging mechanisms especially in Svalbard but forms an independent project. The logistics requirement for this project is highly complementary with the proposed Swedish-led international expedition to Nordaustlandet. Initial discussions indicate logistics can be shared between the activities.

How will the project be organised and managed?
We propose to submit the project for funding to the UK NERC in December 2005; the proposed start date for the activity will be December 2006, with the logistics being put into place during summer 2007. One major field season is planned during spring 2008 with the project having an overall duration of three years. The project will therefore be undertaken during the IPY timeframe. Murray is responsible for project management and communication between project members. Tri-annual meetings are planned rotating between the major institutions involved.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
(1) Project www site, which has proved an effective means of communicating with a general and dispersed audience during other projects (e.g., http://www.geog.leeds.ac.uk/projects/rabid). (2) Talks to school and amateur science groups. (3) Use of partner organisation press offices to ensure maximum impact with local and national media.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data produced by this project will be archived at each institution involved in the research and will be offered to the NSIDC at Boulder, Colorado. Metadata will be stored at The Arctic Environmental Metadata Centre http://www.spri.cam.ac.uk/resources/aemc/. Responsibility for this part of the activity will lie with the Lead Contact, Murray.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Via proposals to national funding bodies, e.g., NERC within the UK. ERS-SAR, ENVISAT ASAR, ALOS PALSAR and Tera ASTER satellite data have been awarded to this project through various ESA programmes.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
References: 1Echelmeyer K Harrison WD JGlaciol, 36(122): 82-88, 1990. 2Abdalati W et al. Eos, 84(46), C21D-06, 2003. 3Luckman A et al. GRL, 29(23), 2095, 10.1029/2001GL014570, 2002. 4Murray T et al. JGR, 108(B5), 2237, 10.1029/2002JB001906, 2003. 5Murray T et al. JGR, 105(B6), 13491-13507, 2000. 6Smith AM et al. JGR, 107(B8), 2152, 10.1029/2001JB000475, 2002. 7Fowler, AC et al. JGlaciol, 47(159), 527-538, 2001. We will foster the next generation of polar researchers by: (1) Inclusion of undergraduate students researching for honours dissertations and masters / doctoral students within the research team. (2) Each partner will work with local schools in education and outreach activities.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Professor Tavi Murray
University of Wales, Swansea
Department of Geography
Singleton Park, Swansea
SA2 8PP
UK

Tel: 01792 602269
Mobile: 0789 171082
Fax: 0113 343 3308
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation