COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: Dynamic Models for the Tectonic Evolution of the Transantarctic Mountains and Ross Embayment

这是一个解决横贯南极山脉（TAM）和罗斯海湾形成的许多方面的建议，这些方面（根据地质记录）仍然知之甚少，研究很少或有争议。例如，TAM隆起的岩石体积大约是世界上其他裂谷翼隆起的5倍；也不清楚为什么白垩纪的大规模伸展在TAM中产生相对较少的剥蚀，而新生代的小规模伸展则产生更多的剥蚀。白垩纪Ross embayar的大裂谷作用及其伴随的TAM剥蚀作用尚未建立模型，现有模型仅解释了TAM的主要新生代隆升阶段。对TAM和Ross海湾的地质历史、密度和地震结构的新限制，加上最近改进的数值技术，促使人们提出了利用岩石圈变形动力学模型来评估该地区构造和侵蚀发展的想法。现在可以把大尺度（100至1000公里）岩石圈力学和热演化的数值模型与考虑单个断层的小尺度发展结合起来。小规模变形能力意味着地质数据，如裂变轨迹研究，可以与模型预测相比较。建议的方法是首先研究可能与TAM和Ross海湾构造发展有关的问题的单独组成部分的模型，然后再将结果整合起来。地球物理和地质数据与数值模型的紧密结合对于确定可能形成该地区的过程序列至关重要。该提案的结果将为更好地理解TAM的形成机制和罗斯海湾岩石圈的力学行为提供框架。该建议的目标与国际南极边缘钻探计划（ANDRILL）的科学目标相匹配，并可能为新的国际南极气候演变研究计划（ACE）的科学目标提供有价值的投入。总的来说，所提出的建模将有助于理解地质过程，以及这样一个又长又高的山脉是如何形成和维持的。该提案的广泛影响包括为研究生提供参与建模项目的机会，通过拉蒙特暑期实习生计划将暑期学生纳入正在进行的分析中，在每年的开放日上发表演讲，这通常是由公众参加的。该团队计划创建一个带有模型动画的教育网站，并将拟议的研究作为拉蒙特大学和锡拉丘兹大学推广活动的一部分。

This is a proposal to address many aspects of the formation of the Transantarctic Mountains (TAM) and the Ross Embayment, which (as documented in the geologic record) remain poorly understood, little studied or controversial. For example, the volume of uplifted rocks of the TAM is about five times greater than any other rift flank uplift worldwide; or it remains unclear why the larger magnitude extension during the Cretaceous produced relatively little denudation in the TAM, while the minor Cenozoic extension produced more. The wide rifting of the Ross Embayment in the Cretaceous with accompanying TAM denudation has not yet been modeled, and existing models explain only the main Cenozoic uplift phase of the TAM. New constraints on the geology history and the density and seismic structure of the TAM and Ross Embayment combined with recently improved numerical techniques prompt to propose evaluation of ideas for the tectonic and erosional development of the region using dynamic models of lithospheric deformation. It is now possible to combine numerical models of large-scale (100 to 1000 kilometers) mechanical and thermal evolution of the lithosphere with consideration of the small-scale development of individual faults. The small-scale deformation capability means that geologic data, like fission track studies, can be compared to model predictions. The proposed approach is to first study models for separate components of the problems that may relate to the tectonic development of the TAM and Ross Embayment, and then integrate the results later. The tight integration of geophysical and geological data with numerical models will be critical to determine which sequence of processes is likely to have shaped the region. The proposal outcome will provide the framework for a better understanding of the mechanisms responsible for the formation of the TAM and the mechanical behavior of the Ross Embayment lithosphere. The proposal objectives match with science goals of the international Antarctic Margin Drilling initiative (ANDRILL), as well as may provide a valuable input to the scientific goals of the new international research initiative on Antarctic Climate Evolution (ACE). Generally, the proposed modeling will contribute to the understanding of geologic processes and how such a long and high mountain range was formed and maintained. Broader impacts of this proposal include providing an opportunity for graduate students to participate in the modeling project, to include summer students in the ongoing analysis through the Lamont summer intern program, give presentations at the annual Open House that are usually well attended by the public. The team plans to create an educational Web site with model animations and make the proposed research a part of outreach activities at both Lamont and Syracuse Universities.