The Canada Basin of the Arctic Ocean remains one of the least known regions of the earth, yet understanding it's evolution is important to understanding the history of ocean circulation, climate generation, as well as the fact that the Alaska margin of the Canada Basin contains one of the world's giant hydrocarbon fields. In order to complete the aerogeophysical coverage of the Canada Basin between the Alpha and Mendeleyev ridges and the Arctic Alaska/Canada and Far Eastern Siberia margins, two seasons of aerogeophysics are proposed. The three most important aspects of the proposed work are: 1) Collect reconnaissance aerogeophysical data that will allow specific hypotheses to be formulated about the tectonic evolution of the Canada Basin of the Arctic. 2) Combine the aerogeophysical data collected offshore with a high-resolution aeromagnetics survey of Arctic Alaska's continental shelf. Work with these two datasets should definitely answer the question of the nature of the Ocean-Continent Boundary along Arctic Alaska. 3) Survey in detail gravity over the Chukchi Plateau and onto the continental margin of what should be the buried North Chukchi Basin to allow insight into the evolution of this margin. Present data does not allow reasonable interpretation of the evolution of this margin.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Polar Programs (PLR)
Application #
9531249
Program Officer
Jane V. Dionne
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1996-06-15
Budget End
2000-05-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1995
Total Cost
$305,085
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Texas Austin
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Austin
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
78712