Geophysics as centrepiece: its role in the Australian Antarctic Territory

Abstract

Geophysics, specifically the search for the South Magnetic Pole, was a major justification for voyages of exploration in the mid-19th century and was an important determinant of expeditions in the early days of this century. Geophysics has had a key role in the Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions (ANARE) since their inception and government of the Antarctic depends on the spirit of scientific cooperation as exercised during the International Geophysical Year of 1957/58. The preamble to the Antarctic Treaty refers to the '. . . cooperation on the basis of freedom of scientific investigation as applied during the International Geophysical Year ...' Most current Antarctic research depends on a geophysical foundation. Geophysics is seldom conducted as a discipline in isolation but as contributor to major scientific questions such as definition of cratonic units and boundaries constituting Antarctica, dynamics of intercontinental movement, nuclear test ban monitoring, delineation of continental margin features, substantiating that Antarctica has so few earthquakes and answering the question 'why?', and documentation of its few active volcanoes. Antarctic stations conduct observatory programs in seismology (including Nuclear Test Ban Monitoring) and magnetics, and with the advent of refined satellite positioning systems and interest in global change issues, geodesy has been rejuvenated. There is immense scope for expanded field geophysics programs especially in aeromagnetic and gravity surveys both onshore and offshore, and magnetic, gravity and seismic surveys offshore for global change and broader scientific value. Because of the great area, small number of workers, the cost of programs and lack of obvious client group, there are major gaps in our geophysical understanding of the Antarctic, and major questions have yet to be defined and answered.