Project Title

Antarctic analog study for tidally diurnal motions on icy satellites

Summary

Event Number:
C-530-M

Program Director:
Ms. Jessie Crain

ASC POC/Implementer:
John Rand / Jenny Cunningham

Principal Investigator(s)

Dr. Terry A Hurford
terry.a.hurford@nasa.gov
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Goddard Space Flight Center

Location

Supporting Stations: McMurdo Station
Research Locations: Ross Ice Shelf

Description

Using GPS and seismic sensors, researchers will observe tide-driven motion in the vicinity of a large rift on the Ross Ice Shelf. The region is believed to represent a viable analog of extraterrestrial environments on icy satellites within our solar system, such as Europa and Enceladus. The results will be used to test assumptions of tidal-tectonic processes on these and similar extraterrestrial environments.

Field Season Overview

A team of four will be based at McMurdo Station and will deploy eight primary GPS/seismic stations and four secondary GPS stations on either side of the eastern end of the WR4 rift system (as identified by Bromirski, Weins, Aster, et al.). They will deploy the instruments at sites roughly around sites DR13 and DR14, which are 2.5 to 7.5 kilometers in distance from the rift system. Half of the instruments will be on the north side and half on the south side of the rift. Participants will access the sites via Twin Otter aircraft, and will be assisted by an ASC mountaineer.

Deploying Team Members