EARTH'S PAST CHANGING POLARITY

FROM:  NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION 

Geomagnetic reversal: Understanding ancient flips and flops in Earth's polarity
Researcher boards R/V Sikuliaq to gather data about Earth's geomagnetic history
Imagine one day you woke up, and the North Pole was suddenly the South Pole.

This geomagnetic reversal would cause your hiking compass to seem impossibly backwards. However, within our planet's history, scientists know that this kind of thing actually has happened...not suddenly and not within human time scales, but the polarity of the planet has in fact reversed, which has caused scientists to wonder not only how it's happened, but why.

This week, as the National Science Foundation (NSF) research vessel R/V Sikuliaq continues its journey towards its home port in University of Alaska Fairbanks' Marine Center in Seward, Alaska, she detours for approximately 35 days as researchers take advantage of her close proximity to the western Pacific Ocean's volcanic sea floors. With the help of three types of magnetometers, they will unlock more of our planet's geomagnetic history that has been captured in our Earth's crust there.

"The geomagnetic field is one of the major physical properties of planet Earth, and it is a very dynamic property that can change from milliseconds to millions of years. It is always, always changing," said the expedition's chief scientist, Masako Tominaga, an NSF-funded marine geophysicist from Michigan State University. "Earth's geomagnetic field is a shield, for example. It protects us from magnetic storms--bursts from the sun--so very pervasive cosmic rays don't harm us. Our research will provide data to understand how changes in the geomagnetic field have occurred over time and give us very important clues to understand the planet Earth as a whole."

Flipping and flopping

Reportedly, the last time, a geomagnetic reversal occurred was 780,000 years ago, known as the Brunhes-Matuyama reversal. Bernard Brunhes and Motonori Matuyama were the geophysicists who identified that reversal in 1906.

Researchers Tominaga, Maurice Tivey (from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) and William Sager (from University of Houston) have an interest that goes further back in history to the Jurassic period, 145-200 million years ago when a curious anomaly occurred. Scientists originally thought that during this time period, no geomagnetic reversals had happened at all. However, data--like the kind that Tominaga's team will be collecting--revealed that in fact, the time period was full of reversals that occurred much more quickly.

"We came to the conclusion that it was actually 'flipping flopping,' but so fast that it did not regain the full strength of the geomagnetic field of Earth like today's strength. That's why it was very low," Tominaga explained. "The Jurassic period is distinctive. We think that understanding this part of the geomagnetic field's behavior can provide important clues for computer simulation where researchers have been trying to characterize this flipping and flopping. Our data could help predict future times when we might see these reversals again."

Better tools equal better data

For approximately three decades, researchers like Tominaga have been probing this area of the western Pacific seafloor. With her cruise on R/V Sikuliaq, Tominaga and Tivey come with even more technology in hand.

Thirty years ago, researchers didn't have access to autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) that could go to deeper, harder-to-reach ocean areas. However, that is just one of three ways Tominaga's team will deploy three magnetometers during its time at sea. One magnetometer will be towed at the seasurface from R/V Sikuliaq. Another will trail behind the ship at mid-water depth, and the third will be part of the AUV at near the seafloor.

"The seafloor spreading at mid-ocean ridge occurred because of volcanic eruption over time. And when this molten lava formed the seafloor, it actually recorded ambient geomagnetic data. So when you go from the very young ocean seafloor right next to the mid-ocean ridge to very, very old seafloor away from the mid-ocean ridge, a magnetometer basically unveils changes in the geomagnetic field for us," Tominaga said. "The closer we can get to the seafloor, the better the signal. That's the rule of thumb for geophysics."

With the help of R/V Sikuliaq's ship's crew, Tominaga and Tivey, a cruise archivist who is also a computer engineer/scientist, and seven students (three of whom are undergraduates), the team will run 24 hours a day/seven days a week operations, deploying underway geophysics, the magnetometers, collecting data and then moving on to the next site.

Naturally, the weather can waylay even the best plans. "Our goal is always about the science, but the road likely will be winding," Tominaga said. "The most enjoyable part of this work is to be able to work together with this extremely diverse group of people. The Sikuliaq crew, the folks at UAF and those connected to the ship from NSF have all been committed to seeing this research happen, which is incredibly gratifying.... When we make things happen together as a team, it is really rewarding."

Focus on fundamentals

Not surprisingly, this kind of oceanographic research is among some of the most fundamental, serving as a foundation for other research where it might correlate or illuminate. Additionally, because the causes and impacts of these geomagnetic changes are unknown, connections to currents, weather patterns, and other geologic phenomenon can still be explored also.

"NSF, along with the entire science community, has waited years for this unique state-of-the-art Arctic vessel, and the timing couldn't be more critical," said Rose DuFour, NSF program director. "Our hope is to use R/V Sikuliaq to help carry out the abundant arctic-based seagoing science missions that go beyond NSF-funded science and extend to those from other federal agencies, like Office of Naval Research as well."

Tominaga notes that another key part to the cruise's mission is record keeping; it's why an archivist is part of her team. He even will blog daily (with pictures). As foundational research, it's important to "keep every single record intact," and she believes this broadcasting daily narrative will assist in this effort.

"Without going there, getting real data--providing ground truth--how do we know what is going on?" Tominaga said, explaining fieldwork's importance.

Tominaga is quite clear on what prompts her to keep one of the busiest fieldwork schedules, even during a season usually reserved for family and friends, sipping eggnog or champagne. "I was 'raised' as a scientist/marine geophysicist, and I don't just mean academically," she said. "I really looked up to my mentors and friends and how they handed down what they know-so unselfishly. And when I was finishing my Ph.D., I realized that there will be a time I will hand down these things to the next generation. Now, as a professor at Michigan State University, I'm the one who has to pass the torch, if you will--knowledge, experience, and skills at sea. That's what drives me."

-- Ivy F. Kupec
Investigators
Masako Tominaga
Maurice Tivey
William Sager
Related Institutions/Organizations
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Locations
Western Pacific Seafloor , Hawaii
Related Programs
Marine Geology and Geophysics

FORMER NORTH POLE RESIDENT SERVES IN AFGHANISTAN

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kody Broderick, right, with fellow Marine Lance Cpl. Carl Adams at Combat Outpost Taghaz, Afghanistan, Dec. 11, 2012. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Timothy Lenzo

　
FROM: U.S. DPEARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Face of Defense: 'North Pole' Marine Serves in Afghanistan
By Marine Corps Cpl. Timothy Lenzo
Regional Command Southwest

COMBAT OUTPOST TAGHAZ, Afghanistan, Dec. 18, 2012 - Lance Cpl. Kody Broderick, a Marine whose hometown's name is most commonly associated with elves, Santa Claus, reindeer and snow, has heard all the jokes since he joined the Corps.

Broderick hails from North Pole, Alaska, a small town near Fairbanks featuring candy cane-themed street lights, a Santa Claus Lane and a place where thousands of children's letters arrive for Santa each year.

A machine gunner with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, Broderick is now surrounded by Afghanistan's sand and dirt, a long way from his hometown's wintry snow and ice.

Broderick moved to North Pole when he was in the third grade.

"When I tell people I am from North Pole, they think I'm joking," Broderick said. "I usually have to show them my driver's license to get them to believe me."

Broderick said he's sometimes the butt of good-natured jokes.

Lance Cpl. Carl Adams, a mortar man with the company, said he asks Broderick questions about living in the North Pole and working with elves.

Broderick takes the humor in stride. He understands there is no ill will behind the Marines' comments.

"They'll ask me if my dad is Santa Claus, things like that," he said.

Today, Broderick finds himself thousands of miles from home and in a country that reaches temperatures of more than 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

"I'm really glad I am not out here during the summer," he said.

Broderick said he has had to adjust to Afghanistan's temperatures as well as the country's wintertime sunrise and sunset.

"During the winters in North Pole we get about 18 hours of darkness," he said. "During the summer the sun almost never goes below the horizon. Now [in Afghanistan] at 7 a.m., the sun is rising and by 7 p.m. it has set."

Broderick said he joined the Marines because he wanted to fight for his country.

"I remember it was 2001 when we moved to North Pole," he recalled. "I remember because of the attack on Sept. 11, 2001. Ever since then, I thought I'd join the military when I got older. I wanted to be in the Marine Corps and fight in this war before it was over."

Weapons Company functions as a quick-reaction force and the explosive ordnance disposal unit for the Afghan National Security Forces in the area. The Afghans are in the security lead, with the Marines supporting their efforts. The Marines are no longer clearing areas and going house-to-house but that does not stop Broderick from working hard.

"I've known him for about two-and-a-half months," Adams said of his relationship with Broderick. "He tries to help out and make the best out of everything. He's a good Marine."

Broderick stands the guard post almost daily, helping to keep the area secure. Back home in Alaska, the snow has already started, with temperatures reaching minus-20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Broderick has traded Alaska's snow for Afghanistan's sand and his small town of mom and pop shops for an outpost of tents and security barriers. Yet for Broderick, it's the fulfillment of his life's dream.

TERRESTRIAL-TRUNKED RADIO PROVIDES RANGE IN DESOLATE ENVIRONMENTS

FROM:  U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND
The desolate environment at Thule Air Base makes reliable communication vital. The 821st Air Base Group is implementing a new land mobile radio system to enhance communications capabilities and improve safety. The 821st ABG is one of the 21st Space Wing’s many geographically separated units.

Security forces enhances situational awareness with Arctic command, control innovation
rom 821st Air Base Group

5/4/2012 - THULE AIR BASE, Greenland -- Airmen at Thule Air Base are adopting a new land mobile radio system, enhancing their communications capabilities.

Known as Terrestrial-Trunked Radio, or TETRA for short, this LMR system's employment will result in enhanced situational awareness, removal of a redundant command and control node, savings of one security forces post, and enhanced emergency services interoperability across all 821st Air Base Group agencies. The new system will enhance emergency services at the remote site.

The security forces' base defense operations center manages a command and control structure involving numerous first responder agencies across a massive geographic area encompassing 2,400 acres of real estate. The installation resides approximately 900 miles south of the North Pole, 15 miles from the polar ice cap, on an inlet to the Arctic Ocean known as North Star Bay.

The air base's mission requires daily travel exceeding 10 miles across rocky terrain with significant changes in elevation. Thule AB routinely experiences hurricane force winds during long and arduous storm seasons from September through May. As a result, procedures adopted for safety and mission execution mandate BDOC maintain contact with all personnel traveling across the installation during contingency storm operations. In fact, all movement is strictly controlled by the installation commander due to potential white-out storm conditions resulting from 100 mph winds and the risk to personnel should they lose situational awareness during their commute.

In all, the security forces squadron maintains communication with a host of customers, including the squadron's posted forces, Danish police, and contractor-provided fire and medical response forces, and manages interoperability between installation senior leaders and four separate command and control centers. Prior to TETRA, BDOC managed this requirement across three disparate communications platforms.

The TETRA currently being installed at Thule AB is unique in that, unlike typical first responder systems, it is based on the UHF electromagnetic wavelength rather than the typical VHF range. As a result, it provides greater range and the ability to pierce the dense walls of Thule's facilities, used to combat the severe environmental climate.

The TETRA system provides a suite of capabilities including GPS location designation for all users, multiple voice-call modes - person to person or full network broadcast - text capability, and duress annunciation. As a result, BDOC can maintain communications with all 821st Air Base Group and Greenland contractor senior leadership, and all non-emergency and emergency response agencies on one LMR platform.

At the same time, BDOC can visually track - via a digital mapping display - the location and travel data associated with all personnel in possession of a new handheld TETRA, and verify the employment of security forces personnel during all other contingency response incidents. Finally, the range of this system will allow the primary BDOC to control all forces across the 2,400 acre Thule defense area.

Many organizations participated in this shift to ensure the first responder community at Thule AB had a system capable of the significant geographic coverage and situational awareness necessary to ensure sound response protocols. The 821st Support Squadron Communication Flight recognized the technological capability, conducted site surveys and system testing, and communicated to the Air Force Space Command Communications and Information Directorate the need and justification that resulted in approval for a system not previously used.

The 821st Security Forces Squadron plans and programs section coordinated the re-write of an existing AFI with the AFSPC Security Forces Directorate to allow for the employment of the new technology. Finally, identification of the system and its potential occurred as a result of the communication's expertise that resides within the Greenland contractor's staff, who is also the primary installer of the equipment which achieved initial operational capability at the end of April.

The ability of those involved in the acquisition and employment of TETRA to break through long-held beliefs about one way to do business has resulted in a level of situational awareness never before possessed at Thule AB.

In times of shrinking budgets and reduced manpower, innovation is critical to the success of force protection initiatives. When dominating the high ground from a climatically-challenging area like Thule AB, innovation is vital.