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Opportunities and Priorities in Arctic Geoscience (1991) / Chapter Skim
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Executive Summary
Pages 1-4

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From page 1...
... Paleomagnetic data indicate that one of the earth's magnetic dipoles, and therefore presumably also the geographic North Pole, have resided in or near the Arctic Ocean Basin since it began to form in Jurassic time. Thus, the sediments of the Arctic Ocean Basin and its margins contain a 200-million-year record of earth's north polar climate and oceanographic history and document the climatic deterioration from temperate conditions in the Cretaceous to cyclic glaciation in the Late Tertiary and Quaternary.
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From page 2...
... Knowledge of the structural character and history of the arctic margins is necessary to reconstruct the tectonic character and history of the Arctic Ocean Basin and the circum-arctic landmasses and is of direct relevance to the discovery of nonrenewable resources in arctic shelves and landmasses. Special studies that would advance understanding of the geologic framework and evolution of the Arctic are seabed imaging and digital mapping of the Arctic Ocean Basin from nuclear submarines; magnetic and gravity surveys of the Arctic Ocean Basin from submarines or airplanes; comparative studies of trans-arctic geologic structure and stratigraphy; paleomagnetic analysis of arctic tectonic problems, particularly on the basis of studies of terranes near the margins of the Arctic Ocean Basin; and seismological investigations based on an improved network of standardized digital circum-arctic seismograph stations.
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From page 3...
... Examination of the hypothesis that the presence of the north magnetic pole produced a detectable enrichment of extraterrestrial material or collision products of cosmic radiation in the sediments of the Arctic Ocean Basin or deep arctic lakes is suggested as a possible way to study solar-terrestrial interactions and variations in strength of the earth's magnetic field through time. Further, the committee proposes a study of the threedimensional distribution and stability of gas hydrate deposits known to underlie the continental slopes of the Arctic Ocean Basin and to be associated with permafrost deposits beneath arctic coastal plains and inner continental shelves.
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From page 4...
... A comprehensive arctic solid-earth geoscience program requires a substantial measure of international cooperation, which could now be facilitated in part by the newly established International Arctic Science Committee and by an organized effort in bibliographic and translation programs. In addition, such research would benefit from the establishment of a directory of arctic geoscientists and research projects and from the conduct of small meetings of working scientists to encourage cooperation in recommended studies and the exchange of data and information.
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Key Terms

  • ocean basin
  • nuclear submarines
  • geologic processes
  • geologic structure
  • arctic geologic

  • gas hydrate
  • environmental history
  • seismic reflection
  • recent political
  • deep coring

  • geoscience program
  • geoscience research
  • sea ice
  • earth beneath
  • continental shelves

  • ocean region
  • polar regions
  • solid earth
  • ice sheets
  • hydrate deposits

  • antarctic ice
  • operate routinely
  • research platforms
  • comparative studies
  • organized effort

  • ice zone
  • strongly affected
  • terranes near
  • current evidence
  • translation programs


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