Seismic Investigation of Lithospheric Flexure Within the Ross Embayment, Antarctica

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This investigation is a seismic study of lithospheric flexure induced by the loading associated with the geologically young Ross Archipelago, Antarctica. The study involves acquisition of both a 50km-long multichannel seismic reflection line on the ice shelf, adjacent to Ross Archipelago, and a wide-angle reflection profile perpendicular to the multichannel seismic line. This study is a joint project between scientists from Stanford University and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) in New Zealand. The principal objective is to take advantage of the rare opportunity to study flexure associated with a well isolated, large, and easy to measure volcanic load emplaced on continental lithosphere. The strength of an extended continental lithosphere is a topic of considerable debate, with implications for the geotherm, composition and rheology of such regions, as well as the stratigraphy of the infilling sediments. A second objective is to investigate field and processing parameters necessary for a successful imaging of the sedimentary and crustal structure underlying a thick (several hundred meters) floating ice shelf, such as the Ross Ice Shelf.