New Frontiers in Antarctic Geoscience 

Terry Wilson
Dept. of Geological Sciences
Ohio State University
Columbus, OH43210(wilson.43@osu.edu) 

Antarctic geoscience research over the last ~45 years has contributed 
to significant advances in understanding processes in the
solid earth, the atmosphere, the oceans, the cryosphere and the global 
climate system. It is increasingly clear that deciphering
the feedbacks and interactions between these spheres is required to 
comprehend the earth system as a whole, hence
understanding the unique Antarctic geodynamic environment is imperative. 
Yet, in many respects, Antarctica remains an
unexplored frontier of the earth system. The Antarctic geoscience 
community has begun planning a new era of earth science
exploration (see: http://www.geology.ohio-state.edu/agg-group/). 
Airborne and marine geophysical surveys, drilling (offshore
and through the ice sheet to bedrock), deployment of GPS and seismic 
arrays, topical geological studies, modeling studies, and
a wealth of new and upcoming satellite-derived data, will be used to 
address interdisciplinary questions such as: 1) how
changing ice mass loads influence lithospheric stress/strain regimes; 
2) how glacial isostatic adjustment and the
tectono-thermal structure of the lithosphere control modern ice sheet 
dynamics; 3) inception, growth and fluctuations of
Antarctic ice sheets and interhemispheric a/synchroneity; 
4) climate sensitivity to forcing factors such as continental-scale
paleogeography, volcanism, erosion/sedimentation; 
5) the origin and evolution of subglacial lakes and their life forms; and 6) the
mode and tempo of supercontinent assembly and dispersal, and 
relations to global climate change and biotic evolution through
earth history. To make the next 'great leaps forward', experiments 
at unprecedented scales across the continent, enabled by
new technologies, will be required. In planning to implement such 
large-scale research, the Antarctic geoscience community
faces choices and challenges:Should the major developing geoscience 
programs simply compete for existing resources (funding,
logistics)?Or, should a coordinated science program incorporating 
elements of each initiative be developed?Can we develop an
integrated program with a compelling science plan that can be used 
to lobby for an augmented AG&G budget?How can we
optimize research initiatives using the successful model of 
international research coordinated through SCAR (Scientific
Committee onAntarctic Research)? Discussion of these issues will 
be a part of the SEAP workshop.