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Dear Colleague Letter - WAIS Divide Basal Sampling
Dear Colleagues,
We would like to draw attention of the Antarctic geology, glaciology, geochemistry, and microbiology communities to the potential opportunity for coring subglacial materials at the WAIS Divide ice core site in January 2012 or later (http://www.waisdivide.unh.edu/). Preliminary results of a seismic site survey performed by Dr. Anandakrishnan's research group (Penn State) in 2007 suggest ~10m thick sedimentary unit overlying ~140m thick high-velocity, high-density unit (potentially basalt?).
The existing sampling plan envisaged taking a 4m-long core of subglacial sediments. However, the drilling/sampling technology and the environmental permits for this are not finalized and are the subject of a "WAIS Divide Basal Science and Implementation Plan" due to be completed soon. If compelling scientific reasons exist to acquire and analyze samples deeper than 4m below the ice base, NSF may fund extension of coring capabilities. While WAIS Divide subglacial samples will not be available for several years, there is a critical need to submit proposals soon to NSF for use of such samples, so that NSF can task a drilling contractor with procuring or building a suitable drill. Technological preparations for coring have to take place in the near future and investigators interested in using WAIS Divide subglacial samples need to promptly:
(1) Discuss their plans to submit research proposals for scientific analyses and interpretation of such samples with pertinent program managers at NSF-OPP, and
(2) Provide preliminary scientific justification and sample requirements for inclusion in the "WAIS Divide Basal Science and Implementation Plan", which will be finalized in July 2008.
Materials intended for inclusion into the geologic and glaciologic sections of the "WAIS Divide Basal Science and Implementation Plan" should be submitted to Dr. Tulaczyk. Materials pertaining to geochemistry and microbiology sections should be sent to Drs. Skidmore and Priscu, respectively.
Best regards,
WAIS Divide Basal Science and Implementation Plan Working Group:
Slawek Tulaczyk, Professor of Earth Sciences, UCSC, 1-831-459-5207, tulaczyk@pmc.ucsc.edu
John Priscu, Professor of Ecology, MSU, 1-406-994-3250, jpriscu@montana.edu
Mark Skidmore, Assistant Professor of Earth Sciences, MSU, 1-406-994-7251, skidmore@montana.edu