Call for participation in 3 expeditions – due 15 Aug
Dear colleagues
This is a final call for applications, due by 15 August, for the three IODP Expeditions in our region in late 2017 and early 2018. In response to requests for more information on how to structure an application, I attach some information at the bottom. This will soon be put up on our web site.
With regards
Neville
——– Forwarded Message ——–
Subject: Call for ANZIC applications for three IODP Expeditions in our region
Date: Fri, 17 Jun 2016 09:23:48 +1000
From: Neville Exon
To: Rob McKay
Dear colleagues
We are now accepting ANZIC applications from our member institutions for scientific participation in three JOIDES Resolution expeditions in our region in late 2017 and early 2018. This is a very exciting time for our science community, with more expeditions to be called for in the future. Each expedition will be two months long and they are:
Tasman Frontier Subduction Initiation and Paleogene Climate Expedition (371). Lord Howe Rise Proposal 832. ANZIC lead proponent Rupert Sutherland,
Australia Cretaceous Climate and Tectonics Expedition (369). Proposal 760; ANZIC proponent Irian Borissova (Geoscience Australia)
Ross Sea West Antarctic Ice Sheet History Expedition (374): Proposal 751; ANZIC lead proponent Rob McKay, Victoria University Wellington.
Opportunities exist for researchers (including graduate students) in all specialties – including but not limited to sedimentologists, petrologists, structural geologists, paleontologists, biostratigraphers, paleomagnetists, petrophysicists, borehole geophysicists, microbiologists, and inorganic/organic geochemists. There is no reason why applicants should not put in separate applications for more than one expedition, although eventually they cannot sail in more than one. They should set out their preference in a covering email, but if there is more than one strong application from an applicant, as judged by the ANZIC Science Committee, they will be forwarded to the JOIDES Resolution Science Operator for consideration.
For shipboard scientist responsibilities see http://iodp.tamu.edu/participants/scientist_jobs.html.
Tasman Frontier Subduction Initiation and Paleogene Climate Expedition (371) August-September 2017
The Tasman Frontier expedition (based on IODP Proposal 832-Full2 and 832-Add) will investigate the Eocene Tonga-Kermadec (TK) subduction initiation (SI) and evaluate whether a period of high-amplitude long-wavelength compression led to initiation of TK subduction or determine if alternative geodynamic models were involved. Core and log data from boreholes in the Norfolk Ridge, New Caledonia Trough, Lord Howe Rise and Tasman abyssal plain will provide constraints seismic stratigraphic interpretations and the timing and length scale of deformation and uplift associated with the largest known global SI event and change in plate motion. The Paleogene and Neogene sediments will also constrain paleoceanographic changes caused by SI as well as tropical and polar climatic teleconnections and the transition from greenhouse to icehouse climate states in a region with large meridional variations in surface water properties in a strategic ‘Southern Ocean Gateway’ setting.
Australia Cretaceous Climate and Tectonics Expedition (369) October-November 2017
The Australia Cretaceous Climate and Tectonics Expedition (based on IODP Proposal 760-Full2) aims to understand the paleoceanography and tectonics of the Naturaliste Plateau (NP) and Mentelle Basin (MB) off SW Australia. Core and log data from a series of sites in water depths between 850 and 3900 m will investigate (1) the rise and collapse of the Cretaceous hothouse, (2) the controls on oceanic anoxic events during major carbon cycle perturbations, (3) Cretaceous deep and intermediate water circulation, (4) Cenozoic paleoceanography including influence of the Tasman gateway opening and Indonesian gateway restriction, (5) the tectonic, volcanic, and depositional history of the NP and MB as well as the nature of basement beneath volcanic rocks, and (6) the breakup of Gondwana and separation of the NP from Antarctica and India.
Ross Sea West Antarctic Ice Sheet History Expedition (374) January-February 2018
The Ross Sea West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) History Expedition (based on IODP Proposals 751-Full2, 751-Add, & 751-Add2) will investigate the relationship between climatic/oceanic change and WAIS evolution through the Neogene and Quaternary. Numerical models indicate that this region is highly sensitive to changes in ocean heat flux and sea level, making this a key target to understand past ice sheet variability under a range of climatic forcings. The proposed drilling is designed to optimize data-model integration for improved understanding of Antarctic Ice Sheet mass balance during climates warmer than present. Core and log data from a transect of six sites from the outer continental shelf to rise in the eastern Ross Sea will be used to: (1) evaluate WAIS contribution to far-field ice volume and sea level estimates; (2) reconstruct ice proximal atmospheric and oceanic temperatures to identify periods of past polar amplification and assess forcings/feedbacks; (3) assess the role of oceanic forcing (e.g., sea level, temperature) on WAIS instability; (4) document WAIS sensitivity to Earth’s orbital configuration under varying climate boundary conditions; and (5) reconstruct eastern Ross Sea bathymetry to examine relationships among seafloor geometry, ice sheet instability, and global climate.
For more information about the expedition science objectives and the JOIDES Resolution Expedition Schedule see http://iodp.tamu.edu/scienceops/ – this includes links to the individual expedition web pages that provide the original IODP proposal and expedition planning information.
ANZIC applications
Australians should visit www.iodp.org.au for a link to the application form, a completed version of which should be sent to Neville Exon (Neville.Exon@anu.edu.au) and Rob McKay (robert.mckay@vuw.ac.nz). New Zealanders should contact Giuseppe Cortese (NZODP@gns.cri.nz).
Applicants should bear in mind that their applications will be firstly reviewed and ranked by the ANZIC Science Committee and, if they pass that hurdle, by the expedition co-chief scientists. Clearly, they need to convince both groups that they would be excellent in the role.
The ANZIC Science Committee makes allowance for the relative opportunity of the applicants, so that early career researchers, including graduate students, have a good chance of selection. Note that non-tenured applicants must have a position at an Australian or New Zealand member institution for at least one year and ideally more to enable them to carry out the necessary post cruise research.
As well as the form, applicants should provide:
1. Participation Plan and Budget (maximum of four pages): This should set out why they are interested in the expedition, how their skills suit the position applied for, what they would bring to the expedition, and the nature of their initial post-cruise research plans (including publication plans), and a brief outline of what budget they might need beyond that covered by their institution.
To maximise the return to ANZIC from the involvement of our scientists on expeditions, we ask that applicants endeavour to assemble a team, including ANZIC scientists, of potential land-based science party members in various fields, set out who has agreed to join that team if you are successful, and what they would aim to do post-cruise. The potential existence of such a team, which would provide additional analytical and scientific skills, would strengthen the applications. If all went to plan, the team members could become part of the land-based science party, and thus get early access to material from the vessel. Of course, final research plans will depend on the material actually recovered by the vessel, and negotiations aboard ship as to who does what.
2. Curriculum Vitae including selected publications (maximum of two pages)
3. Letter of support for non-tenured applicants by their supervisor: This should cover general support from the institution for the application, include an outline of the proffered post-cruise support, and indicate when the present position will end.
For ANZIC scientists all travel costs should be covered. In addition the ANZIC IODP Office may provide up to $A40,000 for post-cruise activities (mainly analytical costs) for Australian and New Zealand university and research institution scientists and post-graduate students, if funding cannot be obtained in any other way. Applications for such funding can only be made after expeditions are completed and samples are in hand.
The deadline for scientists to submit applications to ANZIC is Monday, 15 August, 2016. This is an excellent opportunity for scientists, doctoral students or post docs to collaborate with an international team of scientists. We know that students will have trouble with the long lead times but if things are possible and they’re interested, they should apply. Neville Exon and Rob McKay will be happy to provide advice for the applications, and help where possible with timing problems.
Yours sincerely
Neville
Neville Exon
ANZIC Program Scientist
02 6125 5131
Update for the month of August 2016
Agenda items discussed at monthly meeting:
1. Many thanks to Christina Riesselman, Jack Williams and others who delivered a great talk about scientific drilling opportunities to Geology staff and students last Wednesday at lunchtime – the more we spread the word about this stuff, the better our uptake of opportunities will be.
2. The New Zealand proposal to host a Marine Geoscience Masterclass this year, and in 2017, was accepted by ANZIC, so Otago will host this from 5 – 11 Dec. It will include a field trip on the Polaris in Doubtful Sound, as well as some training in various methods for working with drill core here at Otago. I expect there will be a call for applicants within the next month. It is likely only one Otago student will be able to attend though – and I would like to discuss this today if possible (as I will be away on RSL by next month)
3. The latest ANZIC bulletin is attached.
4. I would also like to chat to people about drilling information databases today if possible – I will be participating in the ICDP’s Operational Support Group meeting to provide feedback to them about this in October, again before returning to Otago so this is your best chance to get some local ideas or desires into the international planning system.
5. Related to 4., I will probably move the DFDP drilling information system database server computer back out to Sawyer’s Bay in the next week. This system could be expanded to accept other drilling information (i.e. From other projects you are involved in) and I wouldn’t mind chatting about whether that is something that we desire.
6. Please send Christina Riesselman your list of drilling-related publications! For most of you this should only involve opening your Otago CV and copying out relevant citations. We have to provide this to the Division to accompany the report on drilling consortia activities by 31 May (ie two months ago now!) if the Division are to continue to support us.
Here is the spreadsheet of contacts and opportunities: ScientificDrillingAtUOtago_21July2016
Here is the July ANZIC bulletin: ANZICs-Bulletin-Issue-5-21-Jul-2016
Here is a map of forthcoming expeditions in our region: MapOfExpeditionsSPac2017-2018
Also here is the summary of activities and outputs up to 31 May 2016 – ie. our annual report to that date. Note that WE STILL NEED A PUBLICATION LIST!
