Report on workshop "Present status and future plans for Solid Earth science in the Arctic region"

Abstract

A workshop on Present status and future plans for Solid Earth science in the Arctic region" was held on 23rd March 2005, at the National Institute of Polar Research with 19 participants. The meeting provided the opportunity to review recent Earth Science activities in the Arctic region, followed by a discussion concerning future plans. The first section of the workshop covered the present status of geophysical observations, such as seismic and gravimetric monitoring. Information on scientific investigations and logistic infrastructure of international stations, such as NyAlesund, Svalbard, Norway, was introduced for future utilization by participants. Next, there are several topics concerning heterogeneous structure and dynamics in the interior of the Earth, viewed from the Arctic region. Useful discussions were held involving time variations in gravimetric values associated with Post Glacial Rebound, together with the seismic structure in the depth range between the Inner Core and the Lower-most Mantle. The most suitable geometrical position of new permanent stations in the Arctic region, by taking into consideration the density of seismic ray paths from global teleseismic events was also discussed. Finally, several international cooperative activities are introduced with regard to programs of the International Polar Year (IPY) 2007-2008.