Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #68: The Northern Canada Geodynamics Network (NCGN) for Relative Sea Level Monitoring  (NCGN)

Outline
Determination of local sea level rise is critical for addressing regional hazards. Local sea level rise is a result of a combination of factors, including global sea level rise linked to climate change and crustal deformation. The Canadian landmass is currently experiencing post-glacial rebound (PGR) resulting from the deglaciation of the Laurentide Ice Sheet. In general, coastal Arctic Canada is subject to relatively slow crustal deformation rates that are largely driven by post-glacial isostatic adjustment. Although the geodynamic rates are not particularly large, they are of the same order of magnitude as sea-level height change. As the potential impacts on coastlines ultimately depend in large measure on the localized rate of relative sea-level height change, it is important to better quantify crustal deformation velocities throughout coastal northern Canada. Precise geodetic data will provide a useful and accurate method of mapping the pattern and measuring the rates of contemporary deformation through this region. Inherent to this study is the need to better map the observed pattern of PGR throughout northern Canada in order to more tightly constrain post-glacial isostatic adjustment models. Although global sea-level rise estimates do vary, the more relevant problem in terms of addressing regional hazards is the localized change in sea-level. The precisely determined PGR-driven velocities will have a direct linkage to relative sea-level observations. Additionally for regions in which the expected regional vertical velocity is not observed, then that region may be targeted to study other potential causes of localized vertical motion (e.g. subsidence due to melting permafrost). There is significant Seismicity in the Arctic (north of the Mackenzie Delta and on the northeast edge of Baffin Island) potentially contributing to regional crustal deformation through coseismic displacements or through elastic or non-elastic deformation in response to regional stresses. In order to resolve global sea-level change and postglacial rebound in the north these seismic/tectonic effects must be monitored and modelled. Building on currently available continuous GPS sites of the Canadian Active Control System and of the West Coast Deformation Array, we propose that a Northern Canada Geodynamics Network (NCGN) be established as the fundamental framework used to map crustal velocities and strain-rates in northern Canada. The NCGN philosophy will encompass a coherent program of multiple techniques to produce the best, most precise vertical deformation rates. Regional continuous GPS sites will constitute the “footprint” of the NCGN and provide the most accurate deformation rates. Although the currently available continuous sites provide good temporal sampling, they are too sparse. To improve the spatial sampling the NCGN will supplement the continuous GPS data with periodic precise-GPS measurements made at monuments and benchmarks. The NCGN will be responsible for the operation of a subset of the continuous GPS tracking sites and to process a regional “network” derived from available GPS data to produce velocity information. Additionally it may be necessary to plan for some incremental continuous-GPS densification that would better target vulnerable or sensitive coastal areas. As precise gravity methods are sensitive to changes in height, absolute gravity (AG) measurements will be used to better constrain the significant vertical component of motion. Hence as part of the NCGC monitoring program, AG field stations will be co-located with a suite of suitable GPS sites (continuous and campaign observations). Some sites have been observed in the past, and future reobservations would be strongly advocated following the IPY.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Current state of the polar environment - Improved models of glacial isostatic adjustment - Improved understanding of crustal deformation introduced by regional tectonics, as expressed by Seismicity. Change in the polar regions - Better modelling and prediction of sea-level change - A legacy geodetic infrastructure will be established to support Geoscience and economic activities. Polar-global linkages and interaction - Better modelling and prediction of sea-level change

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
We are planning to integrate this work into the international POLENET project led by Dr. Terry Wilson, Ohio State University.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Sites will be selected on or near the coastline, between the McKenzie Delta and the Labrador coast. We anticipate that sites will be approximately south of the 72’nd parallel, rather than the northern arctic islands.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 06/2008 – 09/2008      06/2009 – 09/2009      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
It is expected that commercially available aircraft will be used for site access.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
This project provides the opportunity for legacy observation sites (Active GPS sensors) operating in the Canadian Arctic. These sites will contribute to scientific research through their monitoring of ground motion, and to both scientific research and economic development through their enhancement of user positioning for scientific or industrial applications. Epoch surveys of monuments will sustain and validate this means of user positioning in the Canadian Spatial Reference System (CSRS) for industrial and scientific applications. The arctic has the sparsest infrastructure for survey positioning and the greatest need renewal. A recent study conservatively estimates the socio-economic contribution from the CSRS to Canada’s annual GDP at more than $20B.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
No. POLENET has been submitted for international endorsement.

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?


Epoch surveys of monuments will sustain and validate this existing means to support user positioning in the Canadian Spatial Reference System (CSRS) for industrial and scientific applications. Continuously operating GPS sites build upon national programs at Natural Resources Canada. The NCGN would be an important extension of the NRCan Canadian Active Control System and the U.S. Plate Boundary Observatory (PBO) component of the Earthscope project. Internationally, several research projects are being integrated into POLENET.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project leader will organize meetings and workshops including ones at events such as the Canadian Geophysical Union meetings, where participants can meet at low cost with student participation. NRCan will manage the fieldwork internally. Additional deliverables and responsibilities are being discussed. Participation in the POLENET project is expected, requiring coordination on an international level. This effort will similarly leverage existing partnerships and meetings to ensure attendance at lower cost and encourage student participation.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The project participants will investigate opportunities within other Canadian IPY projects to leverage outreach and education efforts. Other opportunities will be investigated. NRCan has an active Northern outreach and education program related to user positioning and geodesy that will likely be expanded during IPY. Refer to the POLENET project for additional outreach, education and communication plans.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data management would be performed by Natural Resources Canada’s Canadian Geodetic Service and made available for precise positioning applications in the arctic. Data would be submitted to the International GPS Service of the International Association of Geodesy for additional archiving and global usage. Other data dissemination will occur through existing international projects such as UNAVCO. Continuously operating sites will follow an open data policy.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
There is currently no source of funding for this work (salary or O&M) in Canada. The following activities require funding from 2007 to 2009. The amount in brackets is for 1 year only except when years specified: 1. Install 4 active GPS stations ($100K: 2007-2008) 2. Annual infrastructure costs for active GPS stations ($3K each year) 3. Instrumentation (Hardware) $15K each site ($60K: 2007-2008) 4. Epoch survey of 8 Arctic CBN (Kugluktuk/Coppermine, Yellowknife, Whitehorse, Iqaluit, Saluitt, Igloolik, Inukjuak and Kuujuaq) ($80K: 2008-2009) 5. Data Collection (salary costs) ($10K each year) 6. Absolute Gravity survey at 4 sites ($30K: 2007-2008) 7. Graduate Student stipends (4 PhD, $19K each) ($80K each year) 8. Networking Activities (Travel/Conference Support) ($22K each year). Total costs 2007-2008 = $300K, 2008-2009 = $200K, and total ongoing costs $100K.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Potential links to Environment Canada and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans will be pursued. We are seeking support for existing geoscientific infrastructure for which funding is scheduled to end soon. The NCGN would be an important extension of the Canadian Active Control System and the U.S. Plate Boundary Observatory (PBO) component of the Earthscope project. The images below shows the continuously operating GPS stations to be established as part of the PBO as well as those of the Canadian Active Control System. This effort is complementary to national/international programmes studying the dynamic earth: e.g., Geonet (Japan, New Zealand); EarthScope (USA), GGOS (IAG). The results of an observatory programme will bring polar regions into the global geodynamic framework and will allow cutting-edge analysis methods developed in the context of these national programmes to be applied to the polar regions. The data envisioned will be used by a global community that extends beyond the traditional polar community.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Calvin Klatt
Natural Resources Canada. Geodetic Survey Division
498J, 615 Booth St.
Ottawa, Ontario
K1R 5R5
Canada

Tel: 613-943-0019
Mobile: no
Fax: 613-947-3602
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation