Antarctic Network – Polar Earth Observing Network: Achievements from Ten Years of Autonomous Measurements

Abstract:

The ANET-POLENET integrated network of autonomous GPS and broadband seismic instruments, spanning much of Antarctica, was initially deployed beginning in 2007-08 during International Polar Year activities. Interdisciplinary results arising from this effort are improving our understanding of complex Glacial Isostatic Adjustment (GIA) processes in Antarctica by integrating robust new in situ observational constraints with innovative modeling, the building of well-constrained models of 3-D Earth structure and the calibration of mantle viscosities. ANET has documented extremely rapid GIA uplift rates in West Antarctic regions with low mantle viscosities where seismic inversions identify thin lithosphere and very low upper mantle seismic velocities. An increasingly sharp picture of Antarctic 3-D crust and mantle variability is being revealed by continental-scale data acquisition by ANET and partner projects. Improved solid Earth imaging and kinematic constraints on the solid Earth beneath the Antarctic ice sheets are driving development of a new generation of 3-D GIA models and coupled climate - ice sheet - solid Earth models. Data-constrained modeling of the solid Earth – cryosphere feedbacks that influence the past and future evolution of the vulnerable West Antarctic Ice Sheet is aimed at reducing uncertainties regarding the contributions of the Antarctic ice sheets to global sea level change. Additional published science topics that have been addressed using ANET-POLENET data include sea level sensing and subglacial lake drainage using GNSS reflectometry, discovery of active subglacial magmatism, hypsometry of Antarctica, coseismic ionosphere disturbances detected by GPS TEC, teleseismically triggered icequakes, the nature of Antarctic seismic sources and seismic noise, continental-scale geothermal heat flux, space weather, and aspects of the core/mantle boundary.