The proposed work entails collection of airborne gravity, magnetics, ice-penetrating radar, and laser altimetry during either the 2000/01 or 2001/02 field season. Two surveys will be flown over two linear arrays of broadband seismic stations. Array 1 consists of three parallel 1370 km lines spaced 5 km apart, extending from the high central regions of the East Antarctic craton to the Transantarctic Mountains. Array 2 consists of three parallel 330 km lines, spaced 5 km apart, extending from the coast at the upper end of the Wright Valley across the Transantarctic Mountains. Lines in both arrays will be flown twice.

The objectives of the work are to investigate the crust and upper mantle structure beneath the East-West Antarctic boundary. Results of the investigation will be used to evaluate geodynamic models for the tectonic development of Antarctica.

SOAR Comments:
A. Science Observer: The investigator will be invited to participate in the Experimental Design and Supprt (EDS) group prior to, and during deployment to the field.
B. Survey Design: The aerogeophysical survey configuration assures an accurate and reliable reduction of data.
C. Bases of Operation: Array 1 must be completed by operating out of three separate bases: McMurdo or Taylor Dome, a base located at the midpoint of the Array 1, and a base at the AGO-4 site. Array 2 can be completed from either McMurdo or Taylor Dome.
D. Data Products: Raw data products delivered are assumed to be ice-penetrating radar and GPS data. Reduced transect products to be delivered include surface elevation, ice thickness, base corrected magnetic field strength and free-air gravity registered to differential carrier-phase GPS positions. SOAR cannot offer techinical support in the reduction of raw data products. The cooperative agreement between the National Science Foundation and SOAR expires July 31, 1999. Survey and data reduction commitments described in this resource statement are contingent upon negotiations between NSF, UT, and collaborating scientists.
E. Line-km estimates do not include run-ins/outs.
F. Operations will occur out of a single base at any given time
G. Flight estimates include a 33% allowance in days for weather contingencies. The sustainable rate of flying using a single flight crew is 1.5 flights per day. Two full crew are needed for 2.5 flight per day operations.
H. The distance from McMurdo to the end of Array 2 and back represents the Twin Otter's extreme range of operation. The distance from Taylor Dome to the end of Array2 and back are well withih the Twin Otter's range.