Unveiling the lithospheric cradle of the Antarctic ice sheet and dynamic topography effects

This project aims to transform our current knowledge of the Antarctic continent, by producing novel combined potential field, seismological and petrological models of crustal and lithospheric architecture in relation to large scale tectonic and geodynamic processes and models of the space-time evolution of dynamic topography linked to mantle dynamics. By analysing and modelling the lithosphere, we expect new linkages between Antarctica and the global supercontinent cycles to also emerge.

The project will help constrain lithospheric influences on the evolution of paleotopography, and will help quantify key geological boundary conditions -such as geothermal heat flux- that can influence Antarctic ice sheet dynamics. And finally we anticipate new views into mantle effects on bedrock topography.

The student will work on the analyses and modelling of data from recent international Antarctic-wide geophysical data compilations. These include updates to the AntGG gravity and ADMAP magnetic data compilations. Satellite gravity gradient and satellite magnetic anomaly datasets will also be used in new lithospheric-scale modelling efforts.

The potential field data interpretation will rely on the development of new 2D and 3D models of crustal and lithospheric architecture and composition that will be integrated for the first time with the latest independent seismological constraints available and with petrological and thermal modelling efforts. The student will also utilise seismological and mantle flow models and analyse subglacial topography to aid the development of new reconstruction efforts of dynamic topography effects.