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Chukchi Edges II
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2021
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Sikuliaq
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Project Title: |
An integrated geophysics cruise to map the northern edge of the Chukchi Borderland and the adjacent Canada Basin - constraints on basin history and crustal structure |
Project Status: |
Submitted |
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Principal Investigator: |
Bernard Coakley, UAF_G&G |
Project Institution: |
UAF_G&G |
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Project ID: |
106277 |
Version #: |
4 |
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Date Submitted: |
12/6/2018 5:48:00 PM |
Created By: |
Bernard Coakley |
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Date Last Modified: |
7/18/2019 5:39:00 AM |
URI Serial #: |
None |
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Funding Agencies: |
NSF/OPP/ARC - 1916575 - Funded
NSF/OCE/MGG - NONE - To Be Submitted |
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Summary of Field Work: |
Recent work has raised profound questions about the composition of the Amerasia Basin crust and therefore the process of crustal formation and tectonic history of this region. Simple plate tectonic models based on displacement of rigid blocks and simple patterns of seafloor accretion at a mid-ocean ridge may not be useful for explaining this history. Observing the northern edge of the Chukchi Borderland and adjacent deeper water areas to the north and east will, by reveal the stratigraphy and distinguishing different crustal types, provide critical constraint on the history of the Amerasia Basin. With an integrated geophysics cruise, collecting multi-channel seismic reflection, sonobuoy and ocean bottom seismometer refraction, gravity and multi-beam data it will be possible to test hypotheses about formation, composition and structure of this region.
Using all of these data sets in conjunction will be required to achieve the project objectives. Selection of the portable, flexible GEUS MCS system is dictated by the lack of on board facilities (compressors, streamer reels, recording system) on the preferred vessel, the RV Sikuliaq. This system, designed for use in the pack ice, will collect high resolution MCS data, necessary for stratigraphic applications, and provide sufficient source strength full crustal refraction work. Refraction data acquired with sonobuoys will be used to model upper crustal structure and acoustic. Stronger constraint on deep upper-crustal structure will be obtained with broad-band ocean bottoms seismometers (OBS) from the DanSeis consortium. |
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Summary of Facility Requirements: |
We will use the portable MCS gear from the Geologic Survey of Denmark and Greenland for this cruise. The GEUS gear has been used on two recent NSF-funded programs, one on Lake Malawi and one near Petermann Glacier in Greenland. It performed well in both circumstances. In addition this equipment has been used previously from the Swedish icebreaker Oden in pack ice. The gear and the very experienced people who operate it are both necessary for the program, supporting both the MCS acquisition and the OBS deployments. In addition to the MCS equipment, they will bring sonobuoy receiver equipment. We will employ OBSs from the DanSeis pool. |
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Summary of other requirements and comments: |
We propose to work across the northern Chukchi Borderland and in the waters north of there. While this area was open water in 2012, it is likely the the ice edge, at the ice minimum, will be in or close to the proposed survey area. For this reason, it is crucial that we utilize the RV Sikuliaq and that the cruise is scheduled to straddle the annual ice minimum, which is typically in mid-September.
If the cruise is well-scheduled, I anticipate no problems using Sikuliaq to tow MCS gear in this area.
For this MCS and OBS cruise, it will be necessary to obtain an IHA. This region is, at absolute best, very poor marine mammal habitat, lacking the significant food resources necessary to support these large mammals. We anticipate the PSOs will only observe seals and bears, if we are in the ice. |
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Type of Request: |
Primary Ship Use |
Request Status: |
Submitted |
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Request ID: |
1010123 |
Created By: |
Bernard Coakley |
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Date Last Modified: |
7/18/2019 5:39:00 AM |
Date Submitted: |
12/6/2018 5:48:00 PM |
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Year: |
2021
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Ship/Facility: |
Sikuliaq
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Optimum Start Date:
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8/25/2021 |
Dates to Avoid: |
We propose to work across the northern Chukchi Borderland and in the waters north of there. While this area was open water in 2012, it is likely the the ice edge, at the ice minimum, will be in or close to the proposed survey area. For this reason, it is crucial that the cruise is scheduled to straddle the annual ice minimum, which is typically in mid-September. |
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Earliest Start Date: |
8/15/2021 |
Multi-Ship Op: |
No |
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Latest Start Date: |
9/1/2021 |
Other Ship(s): |
N/A |
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Operating Days Needed: |
Science Days |
Mob Days |
De-Mob Days |
Estimated Transit Days |
Total Days |
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30 |
2 |
1 |
15 |
48 |
Repeating Cruise?
(within same year) |
No |
Interval: |
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# of Cruises: |
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Description of Repeating cruise requirements: |
While the sea ice is retreating, it will be necessary for this cruise to straddle the ice minimum in mid-September. Sikuliaq and the GEUS are well suited and necessary for work in the marginal ice zone, which will extend some distance into the proposed survey grid. |
Justification/Explanation for ship choice, dates,
conflicts, number of days & multi-ship operations: |
We will need the requested science days to collect the MCS and OBS data. We request two mob days to allow for installation of the GEUS vans and testing of the system. |
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Short Description of Op Area
for use in schedules: |
Chukchi |
| Description of Op Area: |
We will want to work across the northern edge of the Chukchi Borderland and into the deep water there. We will also have locations to visit in the Canada Basin, east of the northern Northwind Ridge |
| Op Area Size/Dia.: |
300 |
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Lat/Long |
Marsden Grid |
Navy Op Area |
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Beginning
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Ending
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Show Degrees Minutes |
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Foreign Clearance Required? |
No |
Coastal States:
US EEZ |
 Important Info on Foreign Research Clearances
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Are you or any member in your science party bringing in any science equipment items which are regulated for export by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR)?
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No |
If yes, have you applied for the necessary permits through your export control office?
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No |
| Questions about ITAR/EAR regulations?
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Comments about foreign clearance requirements or
description of any other special permitting requirements
(e.g., MMPA, ESA, IHA, Marine Sanctuaries, etc.) |
Since we will be collecting active source seismic reflection and refraction data, it will be necessary to apply for and obtain an IHA. PSO's will participate in the cruise to monitor adherence to the terms of the IHA. |
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Requested Start Port |
Intermediate Port(s) |
Requested End Port |
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Dutch Harbor, AK, USA |
None, |
Dutch Harbor, AK, USA |
Explanation/justification for requested
ports and dates of intermediate stops
or to list additional port stops |
Dutch Harbor is the closest port with the capability to handle and load containers. The GEUS portable MCS system is containerized. |
Important Info on Working in Foreign Ports
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Chief Scientist: |
Bernard Coakley, UAF_G&G |
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# in Science Party |
18 |
# of different science teams |
1 |
# Marine Technicians to be
provided by ship operator:
(include in science party total)
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2 |
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Explanation of Science Party Requirements and Technician Requirements |
We would sail with a full house to support underway MGG acquisition and OBS deployments. This head count assumes 4 PSOs will also participate in the cruise. |
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 Dynamic Positioning | ADCP |  Multibeam | Seismic |
| Dredging/Coring/Large Dia. Trawl Wire | Stern A-frame | Fiber Optic (.681) | 0.680 Coax Wire |
| SCUBA Diving | Radioisotope use - briefly describe | NO Radioisotope use/Natural level work | Other Operator Provided Inst. - Describe |
| 5 PI-Provided Vans - briefly describe | MOCNESS | | |
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Explain Instrumentation or Capability
requirements that could affect choice
of ship in scheduling. |
The GEUS portable MCS system is containerized. I have reviews the requirements for this system with Steve Hartz. He has discussed the requirements with Per Trinhammer, the lead engineer on this project for GEUS. There are no difficult issues to be resolved to install and operate this system on Sikuliaq.
We will also employ the OBSs of the DanSeis consortium for this cruise.
The containers required are as follows;
- large winch container
- Bauer compressor container
- Hamworthy compressor container
- Registration container
- Workshop container
- 1 storage container
The GEUS system is preferable to other possibilities as it has been used and proved to work in the pack ice routinely found in some parts of the Arctic Ocean.
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Explain Major Ancillary Facilities
Requirements and list description
and provider for "other" systems. |
We have been in contact with the DanSeis consortium and explained our needs. They have provided a tentative budget for this work. It is included with a letter of support in the proposal. |
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