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You are in:  Home » Science & Data » Standing Scientific Group on Geosciences » Geophysics

Action Group on Connecting Geophysics with Geology

Key areas for understanding the building stones of Antarctica

Background

The scattered geological exposures of Antarctica have been mapped and understood to strongly varying degrees. The close vicinities of stations are often better studied than remote areas where logistics is demanding. There are still unmapped areas. Systematic aero-geophysical surveying is starting to reveal the sub-ice geology of the continent. Major lineaments and the spatial extent of individual tectonic blocks become apparent, the interpretation of which is often difficult. The connection of the exposed geology and the geophysics is often loose, specifically in mountain/nunatak areas that have only sketchily been studied. Key areas need to be identified where detailed geological field studies and focussed geophysics should be carried out in order to understand the significance of major geophysical lineaments and the boundaries of tectonic blocks.

Aims and objectives

• Identify the highest priority areas where lineaments and/or apparent tectonic block boundaries intersect with outcrops;
• Coordinate and develop multinational capabilities in geophysics and geology;
• Plan and initiate international expeditions to key areas;
• Provide improved geological maps, specifically in logistically demanding areas;
• Improve connections to adjacent continents within Gondwana/Rodinia and project the knowledge of these into Antarctica;
• Identify worthy drill sites for basement recovery and connect to other Antarctic drilling communities.

Preliminary workplan

• Constitute a group of geologists and geophysicists to establish a detailed work plan;
• Liaise with ADMAP, PAIS and SERCE groups;
• The group met at EGU 2013 (April 2013). Arrange further meetings at SCAR 2014 (August/September 2014), Gondwana 15 (July 2014), ISAES XII (2015).

Contacts

The Chair of the Action Group is Joachim Jacobs (email: joachim.jacobs@geo.uib.no).