A broadband seismic experiment to image the lithosphere beneath the Gamburtsev Mountains, East Antarctica.

Project aim

Beneath the East Antarctic interior lies a great mountain range, the Gamburtsev Mountains. These sub-glacial giants have not been investigated since the 1950's yet they underlie the core of the first Antarctic ice sheet and hold the key to the stability of this vast region East Antarctic ice, and hence global climate.

The rock-types which make up the sub-glacial mountains are also unknown. We will use seismic energy from distant earthquakes to find the deep geological structure. This has important implications for Australia, East Antarctica's continental neighbour before the breakup of Gondwana, and the opening of the southern ocean.