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:
Paul Sullivan / 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:

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

A team of six participants, including three scientists, one mountaineer, one T-295-M EarthScope GAGE engineer, and one T-299-M EarthScope SAGE engineer will service existing GPS/seismic stations of the POLENET/ANET network in West Antarctica. The team will be based out of Union Glacier and will be primarily supported by Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions (ALE) subcontractor. The U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) will support transport of participants and cargo to/from Punta Arenas, Chile, and ALE will facilitate movement of the team and cargo to Union Glacier. The team will then make day trips by a USAP-provided Twin Otter to POLENET station sites. ALE will provide all fuel and remote camp support as needed. Service and maintenance work at the station sites involves excavation of instrumentation from beneath years of accumulated snow, collection of project seismic data, equipment replacements, and battery replacement to ensure continued data collection.

Deploying Team Members