Project Title

Collaborative Research: Investigating Ice Sheet - Solid Earth Feedbacks in West Antarctica: Implications for ice sheet evolution and stability

Summary

Event Number:
G-079-M
NSF/OPP Award 1745074

Program Director:
Dr. Michael Jackson

ASC POC/Implementer:
Judy Shiple / Jenny Cunningham

Principal Investigator(s)

Dr. Terry Wilson
wilson.43osu@gmail.com
Ohio State University
Geological Sciences and Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center
Columbus, Ohio

Location

Supporting Stations: McMurdo Station
Research Locations: West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS)

Description

The Polar Earth Observing Network-Antarctic Network (POLENET-ANET) autonomous GPS and seismic network has been reconfigured to acquire higher-resolution in-situ data around the Amundsen Embayment. The network captures spatially varying crustal motions and Earth structure in a region where the ice sheet is rapidly changing. Observations will be integrated into three-dimensional modeling to investigate the solid-earth cryosphere feedback processes that influence the past, present, and future behavior of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS). Advanced models, constrained by the new observations, will improve estimates of West Antarctic ice-mass changes, establish where the WAIS may be stabilized by ongoing Earth deformation, and reduce uncertainties in future sea-level change projections.

Field Season Overview

In the 2021-2022 season, the POLENET project will aim to service project sites meeting ‘Tier 2’ criteria for the preservation of scientific data and infrastructure. A team of six will deploy through McMurdo Station to WAIS Divide and make day trips by Twin Otter to their sites. The goal of this season is to service sites that are non-operational, at risk of burial by snow, or at risk of power loss, potentially resulting in the loss of instruments and data.

Deploying Team Members