ISAES 2011 - Science Themes

1. Antarctic ice sheet and the Southern Ocean


2. Major reorganisations of the ice-ocean-atmosphere system in the Cenozoic and Quaternary


3. Tectonic evolution of Antarctic seaways and margins during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic and its influence on biota and climate


4. Antarctica and supercontinent evolution


5. Landscape and biological evolution of ice-free areas


6. Evolution of life, environments and climates in Antarctica from deep time to the present


7. Uncovering the continent


8. New frontiers and interdisciplinary advances in Antarctic Science


9. Hydrology, dynamics and biogeochemistry of the Antarctic Ice Sheet


10. Observation and modelling of POLENET data


11. Antarctic data, collections and maps

1. Antarctic ice sheet and the Southern Ocean
(Eric Wolff and Raja Ganeshram)

The Antarctic ice sheet is controlled by the atmosphere and ocean above, below and around it. In turn it has a major influence on sea level, ocean processes and climate. In this session, we welcome studies on the size and shape of the ice sheet from its inception through to the future, as well as Antarctica’s influence on changing sea level. Modern observations and modelling work are expected in addition to studies using geomorphology, marine sediments and other palaeo recorders.

2. Major reorganisations of the ice-ocean-atmosphere system in the Cenozoic and Quaternary
(Dominic Hodgson)

The history of Antarctica and the surrounding Southern Ocean is characterised by major reorganisations. These can have an impact on the wider Earth system for example through changes in sea level, ocean circulation and climate. In this session we welcome studies on state changes in the Earth system and their signature in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. These include changes that occurred in deep time due to the opening of seaways, changes in the ice sheet across glacial interglacial cycles, glacial terminations, sea ice changes, reconfigurations of ocean currents and changes relating to the capacity of the ocean to act as both a source and sink of CO2. We encourage interdisciplinary contributions focusing on geology, geomorphology, biogeochemistry, ice cores, climate models, and a range of marine and terrestrial archives.

3. Tectonic evolution of Antarctic seaways and margins during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic and its influence on biota and climate
(Mike Curtis)

The Mesozoic and Cenozoic tectonic evolution of circum Antarctic seaways, as well as its margins, are linked to global and local climate changes as well as the generation of biodiversity hotspots. Contributions advancing our understanding of the tectonic evolution of Antarctic seaways, the Antarctic Peninsula and formerly contiguous areas, links to evolving climate, plus deep-time paleo-biogeography and phylogeny are encouraged. Interdisciplinary sessions will promote an examination of the links between tectonics, biological evolution and climate.

4. Antarctica and supercontinent evolution
(Simon Harley)

Supercontinents are considered to play a major role in the stabilisation of continental crust throughout the evolution of the Earth. With its diverse basement and complex amalgamation history, the East Antarctic Shield is key to understanding the formation of Gondwana and the evaluation of models for Rodinia and Nuna. The spectacular sedimentary sequences of the Trans Antarctic Mountains bear witness to the long-term evolution of Gondwana, whilst the Ferrar large igneous province provides critical evidence on relationships between plumes and supercontinent fragmentation. This theme will highlight advances in our knowledge of the geological records of East Antarctica that contribute to our understanding of position and role of Antarctica in past supercontinents, and to the processes that influence supercontinent evolution.

5. Landscape and biological evolution of ice-free areas
(including: AntScape soils, hydrology, permafrost and periglacial)
(David Sugden and Mike Hambrey)

The Antarctic continent has one of the longest records of landscape evolution on Earth. The terrestrial record in ice-free areas is intimately associated with the evolution of the Antarctic Ice Sheet and yields particularly fruitful data concerning the evolution of the continent. There is a geomorphological and biological record embracing millions of years of change. This theme embraces (i) the record of landscape and ice-sheet evolution based on multiple dating methods, such as cosmogenic dating, radiometric methods and biostratigraphy; (ii) biological insights into ice-sheet evolution based on the genetics of endemic species, (iii) periglacial and permafrost processes of physical and biological weathering; (iv) glacial erosional and sedimentary processes recorded beyond the ice margins, (v) hydrological processes, including past records of fluvial activity, (v) aeolian processes in cold desert regimes, and (vi) tectonic controls on landscape evolution. This theme is linked to a number of SCAR groups, including Antarctic Climate Evolution (ACE), Permafrost and Periglacial Environments, Antarctic Permafrost and Soils, and Antarctic Palaeotopographic Maps (ANTscape).

6. Evolution of life, environments and climates in Antarctica from deep time to the present
(Jane Francis)

This session will cover the evolution of the Antarctic biosphere from any interval of the geological past to present day and including plants and animals from both marine and terrestrial environments. We welcome reconstructions of the environments in which they lived, based on a wide range of geological evidence such as sedimentology, ichnology, geochemistry, geomorphology and more. In addition, this session will include presentations about past climates of Antarctica and their influence on the biosphere. We welcome innovative interdisciplinary studies that highlight the unique polar environment.

7. Uncovering the continent
(remote sensing, geophysics, detrital mineral studies)
(Alan Vaughan)

Although 1/9 of the Earth's continental area, most of Antarctica is hidden beneath the ice. The age and history of much of Antarctic lithosphere, and even how many tectonic plates make it up, are questions that remain unanswered. The geological and physical properties of its buried foundation are largely unknown. However, new and fundamental insights are coming from recent investigations of the Gamburtsev Mountains, the West Antarctic Rift System, the many sedimentary basins in East Antarctica, the Precambrian suture lines that stitch the continent together, the sub-ice topography, and continental heatflow. We still need a better geological and geophysical understanding of Antarctica to answer questions of the topographic and geological control on ice sheet evolution and the earliest history of the Antarctic ice sheets. To do this, a range of scientific methodologies are being applied to peer beneath the ice, including satellite and airborne geophysics, spectral analysis and altimetry, and detrital mineral studies.

8. New frontiers and interdisciplinary advances in Antarctic Science
(new and enabling technologies, satellite data, remote sensing, changes in the instrumental record)
(Colm O’Cofaigh)

Technological developments over the last decade have driven major advances in our understanding of the Antarctic continent and surrounding oceans. These have included the use of improved satellite remote sensing to obtain information on Antarctic Ice Sheet dynamics over short temporal scales; the use of remotely operated vehicles and autonomous underwater vehicles to investigate seabed properties and processes and interaction between the Antarctic Ice Sheet and the surrounding ocean; and developing technologies which have made the exploration of Antarctic subglacial lakes increasingly possible. Much of this research is inter-disciplinary in its very nature and this has led to significant advances across a range of disciplines. This theme will focus on such interdisciplinary research and include new and emerging research frontiers and technologies in Antarctic science.

9. Hydrology, dynamics and biogeochemistry of the Antarctic Ice Sheet
(Martyn Tranter)

There is a growing body of evidence that a pervasive drainage system exists beneath Antarctica, which contains many elements, from subglacial lakes through matrix flow through till. These elements may periodically connect into and freeze out of the main drainage system. These aquatic environments are very likely to be colonised by a spectrum of microorganisms, including anaerobes. The chemistry of sub-ice sheet waters collected to date is consistent with the presence of microbiological activity. This session will cover recent advances in our understanding of these three interconnected facets of subglacial Antarctica.

10. Observation and modelling of POLENET data
(Matt King)

During the IPY, and in the time that have followed, dozens of new continuous GPS and seismic stations have been deployed across Antarctica and Greenland. The new GPS data promise new constraints on models of glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) - ice history and Earth model - through precise surface velocity measurements. As well as yielding new insights into ice mass changes since the LGM, the new GIA models are urgently needed in order to understand present-day ice mass change using data from GRACE. The new seismic data will allow unprecedented imaging of the Earth's interior beneath Antarctica, placing new constraints on Earth rheology amongst many others. This session welcomes those working on all areas relating to POLENET data - from pre-deployment technology development through to raw data analysis and then modelling the seismic and surface velocity observations. Application of improved models to larger scale problems are welcome, including application of GIA models to GRACE time series to derive ice mass balance estimates.

11. Antarctic data, collections and maps
(Helen Campbell and Alex Tate)

This broad theme will cover data and data systems collected and built in support of science, especially those related to the International Polar Year. It also covers physical collections and their management. Presentations should focus on one or more of the following:-

• Accessibility - How can others find and use this information?
• Visualization - Novel ways of presenting data to aid science.
• Integration - How are these data being combined with other similar or cross-disciplinary datasets?