The Need for IODP in the Arctic Ocean
The Need for IODP in the Arctic Ocean
Previously Published Material: Some of the data I will show have been presented at other forums, such as the Arctic Technology Conference, but not in the context of ocean drilling.
Abstract ID#: 35620
English Abstract:
The Arctic Ocean is the most poorly sampled basin in the world; there are no drill holes (scientific or industry) in the various sub-basins, few industry holes along the margins and only one in the high Arctic on Lomonosov Ridge (IODP Leg 302 – ACEX). Even the number of piston cores is limited. The scientific community certainly recognizes this short-coming in knowledge and at present eight drilling proposals exist within the IODP framework to explore such diverse objectives as gas hydrates, geohazards, paleo-oceanography and paleo-climatology, glacial influences, tectonics, and petrology. Recent surveys, largely conducted for coast State’s law of the sea submissions, have greatly increased geophysical data holdings of the entire Arctic Ocean, yet there is little or no geologic groundtruth for these data to expand our knowledge. These geophysical data will be presented to demonstrate potential drilling objectives that would lead to transformative changes in our understanding of the Arctic Ocean, its tectonic and sedimentological history and its influences on the global ocean and climate.