ADMAP (magnetic anomaly)

The SCAR Antarctic Digital Magnetic Anomaly Project (ADMAP) Expert Group aims to compile and integrate all existing Antarctic near-surface and satellite magnetic anomaly data into a digital database.

Considerable attention is paid to the Antarctic because of the central role of its tectonic and geologic research in both Gondwana and Rodinia evolution, and the fact that it is the most poorly-understood region of the planet. As a consequence, numerous near-surface magnetic surveys carried out by the multi-national scientific communities are critical to unveil the evolutionary history of both paleo-continents. In addition, state-of-the-art magnetic satellite missions have been carried out to augment the gaps where near-surface surveys were not done.

About

ADMAP has been providing a unique opportunity for integrating scientific research and investigations over Antarctica. ADMAP aims to enable geologic studies of Antarctica where almost 99% of the continent is covered by ice and snow.

ADMAP was launched in 1995 to compile and integrate into a digital database all exisiting near-surface and satellite magnetic anomaly data collected in Antarctica and surrounding oceans south of 60 degrees. Since then, the ADMAP Group has been updating the databases with additional surveys as well as investigating the areas of special interest, first as a SCAR Working Group and currently as an Expert Group.

ADMAP is also a SCAR Product, produced by the Expert Group.  See the ADMAP product.

The Antarctic continent plays a very important role in the plate-tectonics context; the study of the lithosphere and the identification of relevant lateral discontinuities in Antarctica and surrounding areas are essential to the understanding of the geodynamic evolution of the continent.

Studies of the Antarctic continent rely extensively on magnetic anomaly data, because of the extensive ice cover. Numerous magnetic surveys have been carried out by the international community. The objective for compiling the Antarctic digital magnetic database is to enhance the geological and tectonic utility of these magnetic data. This compilation will provide an improvement in understanding the regional geology of the Antarctic, provide a regional framework for the interpretation of smaller scale areas and enable a more effective selection of areas for further investigation.

The multinational Antarctic Digital Magnetic Anomaly Project (ADMAP) was launched to compile near-surface magnetic anomaly data into a digital map and database for the Antarctic continent and surrounding oceans. The data set will be a powerful tool for determining the structure, processes and tectonic evolution of the continent, together with providing information valuable in the reconstruction of the Gondwanaland and Rodinia supercontinents. The resulting merged potential field anomaly maps connect geological mapping studies of the various programmes in terms of parameters such as:

  • Major structure and composition of the continent – the magnetic data provide two-dimensional regional maps of structural grain in basement; suture zones between basement terranes; the basement terranes themselves; the nature of intra continental rifts and the extent of major faults.
  • Geological timing and kinematics associated with the evolution of the continent – relative ages and displacements can be derived from the detailed geophysical mapping of rock units. The distinctive magnetic signatures of some plutons, serpentinites, amphibolites, migmatites, young sedimentary basins and volcanic rocks provide important markers for extracting both the orientation of regional faulting and relative timing.
  • Paleoenvironment and global change – from the reconstruction of Gondwana, it might be possible to identify the locations of old oceans and therefore infer circulation paths that would have affected past climates.
  • Essential information on the crustal contribution to the Earth’s magnetic field from a remote and poorly understood region – this effort will permit improved global geomagnetic field modelling and assist with verification and calibration of magnetometer observations obtained from polar orbiting satellite missions. The integration of satellite and near-surface magnetic anomalies will result in a compilation that accurately portrays the fullest possible spectrum of magnetic anomalies for the Antarctic lithosphere.

For more information about ADMAP, please visit the ADMAP website.

Terms of Reference

Geologic studies of the Antarctic are greatly aided by magnetic anomaly data because of the region’s nearly ubiquitous cover of snow, ice, and sea water. Consequently, numerous near-surface magnetic surveys have been carried out for site-specific geologic objectives by the international community. As a result of the first ADMAP workshop (ADMAP I) in Cambridge, UK, it became clear that these individual magnetic surveys may be combined into a regional magnetic synthesis that would further enhance their utility for geologic studies.

Accordingly, ADMAP was launched in 1995 to compile and integrate into a digital database all existing near-surface and satellite magnetic anomaly data collected in Antarctica and surrounding oceans south of 60° S.

For information on the ADMAP Concept, see the ADMAP website.

News and Research Updates from the ADMAP Community.

Members

Contact

The Co-Chairs of the ADMAP group are Graeme EaglesFausto Ferraccioli and Detlef Damaske.

ADMAP Steering Committee

Graeme Eagles (Co-Chair) Alfred Wegener Institute Germany
Fausto Ferraccioli (Co-Chair) Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale (OGS) Italy
Alexander Golynsky VNIIOkeangeologia Russia
Duncan Young UTIG USA
Detlef Damaske (Co-Chair) Germany
Hyung Rae Kim Kongju University Korea
Marta Ghidella Argentina
Ralph von Frese Ohio State University USA

For a list of the members of ADMAP, see the ADMAP website.

Resources

Publications, Data and Links of interest to the Antarctic Magnetic Anomaly Community

Publications
Data
Links