Friends and Colleagues
In the aftermath of the very successful ACEX drilling on the Lomonosov
Ridge, it is time to
consider how to use Scientific Ocean Drilling as a tool to expand our
knowledge of the Arctic
Ocean. Rudy Stein (AWI) and I are co-chairs of a workshop, funded by
Ocean Leadership,
the European Science Foundation, Nansen Arctic Drilling Project and
the Arctic Ocean
Sciences Board, that will bring together a group of about 80
scientists to plot the future of
Arctic Ocean Drilling.
We expect that more than 80 scientists are enthusiastic about Arctic
Ocean science and
interested in participating in this workshop. To run a focused,
effective workshop, it will
be necessary to restrict the number of participants. We also think it
is important to have
the right balance among the various disciplines, nationalities and
between senior
scientists and young scientists. Not being invited to the workshop,
of course, does not
preclude involvement in drilling-related Arctic science. While we
believe that the
attendees will form the nucleus of proponent groups for various
regions, it is critical that
these groups are inclusive and therefore open to those not invited to
the workshop.
Our objective is straightforward, but not simple. We want new
proponent groups to form
at this meeting. We want to deliver 5-10 NEW drilling proposals to
IODP in the next two
years. As a recognized arctic enthusiast, we seek your support.
I believe an ad has already run in EOS. Below is a copy of an
announcement that will be
circulated on the Arcticinfo listserv sometime in the next week or so.
Given the likely time scale for developing these projects (5-10
years), we feel it is
particularly critical to involve young, enthusiastic scientists in
this program. These future
leaders will have the opportunity to participate fully in the
development of arctic drilling
and develop their careers as they advance the objectives of Arctic
Ocean science.
If you have any questions or comments feel free to contact either Rudy
or I.
Sincerely
Bernard Coakley Ruediger Stein
bernard.coakley@gi.alaska.edu Ruediger.Stein@awi.de
Arctic Ocean History, From Speculation to Reality
A Workshop to Prepare for Arctic Ocean Scientific Drilling
3-5 November 2008
Bremerhaven, Germany
Application deadline 24 August 2008
For more information, visit http://www.oceanleadership.org/usssp/workshops/arctic
Despite the many successes achieved by scientific ocean drilling at
lower latitudes, the tectonic and palaeo-oceanographic history of the
Arctic Ocean is largely unknown. Arctic Ocean drilling requires
extensive planning and preparation. In order to recruit and engage the
scientists necessary to develop a new set of IODP proposals for the
Arctic Ocean, a workshop has been scheduled for 3-5 November 2008 in
Bremerhaven, Germany at the Alfred Wegener Institute.
The answers to many crucial questions about Arctic Ocean history can
only be found with a drill bit. The first successful drilling leg, on
Lomonosov Ridge during the Summer of 2004, acquired unique arctic
samples for much of the Cenozoic. The surprising results from IODP Leg
302 (ACEX) will help frame new questions and direct future drilling.
Answers to these questions will make it possible to write the post-
Paleozoic history of the northern polar region, illuminating this
ocean basin, the continents that ring it, and the global climate system.
Scientific questions that will be addressed at the workshop:
· What was the pre-drift setting of the Chukchi Borderland?
· What is the composition of the Alpha-Mendeleev Ridge?
· What is the Mesozoic tectonic history of the Arctic Ocean?
· When did the gateways to the Arctic Ocean open and close?
· How did these gateways affect Arctic Ocean circulation?
· What is the role of the Arctic in the greenhouse to icehouse
transition?
· What is the history of ice rafting in the Arctic Ocean?
· How has the influx of fresh water to the basin changed over time?
· How has continental glaciation influenced the Arctic Ocean?
· What is the history of exchange between the Arctic, Atlantic and
Pacific Oceans?
We aim to use this workshop to build Arctic scientific drilling from
the ground up. In most areas, this means planning site survey work as
well as thinking about drilling objectives.
Funded by the Consortium for Ocean Leadership, the European Science
Foundation, the Arctic Ocean Science Board, and the Nansen Arctic
Drilling Program, we anticipate having about 80 attendees. To apply to
participate in this workshop, visit: http://www.oceanleadership.org/usssp/workshops/arctic
. All interested scientists, researchers, and students are encouraged
to apply. Participation will be limited to optimize workshop goals.
Partial travel support is available.
Applications are due August 24, 2008.
Please contact Bernard Coakley (bernard.coakley@gi.alaska.edu),or
Ruediger Stein (rstein@awi-bremerhaven.de) for further information.
