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-E
NSF / OPP Award 1745074

Program Director:
Dr. David Porter

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: Special Project
Research Locations: Union Glacier

Description

The Polar Earth Observing Network-Antarctic Network (POLENET-ANET) autonomous global positioning system (GPS) and seismic network has been reconfigured to acquire higher resolution in situ data around the Amundsen Sea 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 3-D 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 (three scientists, one mountaineer, one T-295-M EarthScope Geodetic Facility for the Advancement of Geoscience [GAGE] engineer, one T-299-M EarthScope Seismology Facility for the Advancement of Geoscience [SAGE] engineer) will commence removal of GPS/seismic stations of the POLENET/ANET network in West Antarctica. The team will be based out of Union Glacier and primarily supported by subcontractor Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions (ALE). The United States Antarctic Program (USAP) will support transport of participants and cargo to and from Punta Arenas, Chile, and ALE will facilitate movement of the team and cargo to Union Glacier. The team will make day trips via USAP-provided Twin Otter aircraft to Polar Earth Observing Network (POLENET) station sites. Recovery of POLENET sites will involve excavation of instrumentation from beneath years of accumulated snow to recover valuable seismic data and any associated station structures, batteries, solar panels, and enclosures. GPS stations will also be recovered as time and weight limits allow.

Deploying Team Members