F. Ferraccioli, P.C. Jones, P. Leat, T. Jordan, and H. Corr. Geological Sciences Division, British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, United Kingdom
The polar regions play an important role in Earth's geodynamic and climatic systems. Modern airborne geophysical surveys combine radio-echo sounding, aeromagnetic and aerogravity methods to explore these regions. This paper reviews some recent aerogeophysical investigations undertaken by the British Antarctic Survey to: 1) Image subglacial rifts associated with early Gondwana break-up; 2) Investigate crustal growth by arc magmatism and terrane accretion at the paleo-Pacific margin of Gondwana; 3) Analyse geologic controls on enhanced ice flow. Our current aerogeophysical research centres on processing and interpreting new data acquired over the West and the East Antarctic Ice Sheet and aims to provide new geological boundary conditions for ice sheet modelling. We also plan to participate in new collaborative IPY surveys to explore the enigmatic Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains in East Antarctica.
[Manuscript]
