Applicant

Professor Dr. Jörg Ebbing 
Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel 
Institut für Geowissenschaften 
Abteilung Angewandte Geophysik

Project Description

The thermal structure of the Antarctic continent is one of the most unknown parameter, but critical for a variety of applications on different scales, e.g. ice-sheet modelling or glacial-isostatic adjustments. Different methods have been applied in recent years to quantify the thermal structure and most specific the geothermal heat flux over Antarctica. Due to the limited amount of direct measurements, estimates are often derived from modelling of satellite data or seismological models, or based on a combination of these. This results in vastly different estimates of geothermal heat flux exist. In our project, we aim to reconcile the presently available pieces of geophysical information from satellite observations from the Swarm, GOCE and SMOS missions with seismological models and airborne geophysical data in an integrated inverse framework. The integrated framework allows to assess the uncertainties of the different methods and to study the interdependencies between the geophysical products. To achieve this, we aim to extend an existing inverse modelling framework for integrated geophysical-petrological modelling to include the specific conditions required to model geothermal heat flux under the ice. The implications of the geothermal heat flux and uncertainty estimate on a regional scale will be compared to local information on radiogenic heat production rates. To define different heat provinces, we perform a cluster analysis of magnetic and gravity data to derive a map of tectonic provinces. The last step is to test the added value of the new thermal models zo GIA ice-sheet history modelling. Here, we will address whether the improved uncertainty by integrated modelling will increase the confidence level with respect to the spatial resolution of the geophysical products. Such an assessment is critical to define requirements for future improvements in coupling of Solid Earth and Cryosphere studies.

DFG Programme: Infrastructure Priority Programmes

Interantional Connection: Australia, Italy, Netherlands, United Kingdoms, USA

Cooperation partners: Professorin Dr. Samantha Hansen; Dr. Giovanni Macelloni; Dr. Irina Rogozhina; Dr. Wouter van der Wal

Term since 2018