Volcanoes on Ice: Mantle Influence on Antarctic Ice Sheet Evolution

The Antarctic Ice Sheet (AIS) contains nearly two-thirds of global freshwater and is a major source of uncertainty in future sea-level rise. Despite this significance there is a substantial gap in understanding why it initially formed 34 million years ago, and what has since caused it to advance and retreat. This project aims to fill this gap by exploring the impact of mantle convection the internal engine driving our dynamic planet on AIS inception and evolution. Observational constraints on mantle structure and dynamics will be merged with state-of-the-art computational models, to improve understanding of the processes that have operated beneath Antarcticas surface and their influence on the AIS. The project will advance Australias leadership in Antarctic Science, over which Australia has 42% sovereignty, and train future geoscientists crucial for Australias economy. Expected outcomes include: 1) enhanced environmental knowledge of Antarctica, specif