Project Title

A comprehensive seismic investigation to the crust and uppermost mantle beneath the South Pole, East Antarctica

Summary

Event Number:
G-298-M/S
NSF / OPP Award 2145410

Program Director:
Dr. Michael Jackson

ASC POC/Implementer:
Paul Sullivan / Jenny Cunningham / Sheryl Seagraves / Leah Street

Principal Investigator(s)

Dr. Weisen Shen
weisen.shen@stonybrook.edu
State University of New York Stony Brook
Stony Brook, New York

Location

Supporting Stations: McMurdo Station, South Pole Station
Research Locations: South Pole Station, Field Location

Description

Being geographically significant, the area within 300 km of the South Pole Station and its sub-ice structures are equally, if not more, critical in studying Antarctic earth sciences. Given its gateway locality between the high Southern Transantarctic Mountains (STAM) and East Antarctic craton, the area is critical for studying geological history and modern tectonism of the continent, modeling its continental dynamics, and developing more accurate ice sheet dynamic models to predict their response to the global climate change. This significance, however, is contrasted by the lack of direct knowledge of the sub-ice structure, owning to its remoteness and 3 km ice cover, calling for a comprehensive study to fill this knowledge gap.

Field Season Overview

On-site fieldwork for the upcoming season includes: 1) Deployment of up to 300 high-frequency, 3-component, portable seismic nodes near the South Pole, encompassing the nearby STAM and the polar subglacial basins; 2) Service of nine broadband station deployed in 2023-2024; and 3) Collection of continuous seismic data for four weeks before the nodes are retrieved.

Arctic Trucks will provide a light traverse platform for all field activities.

The science team will initially stage at McMurdo Station before deploying to the South Pole. The team will be housed at the non-governmental organization camp outside of South Pole Station and all support will be provided though Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions (ALE) subcontractor and Arctic Trucks. The U.S. Antarctic Program will provide inter and on continent fixed wing transportation and extreme cold weather gear. The team will be provided working space in McMurdo Station as they transit through to the South Pole.

Deploying Team Members