Geophysical Research Infrastructure for Antarctica (GRIT)

GRIT MT station installation on the Denman Glacier. Image: Coti Manassero Maria Manassero

The Geophysical Research Infrastructure for Antarctica (GRIT) project aims to advance Antarctic research by acquiring specialised geophysical instrumentation tailored to the continent's extreme conditions. The project is divided into two phases, with Phase 1 now completed and Phase 2 currently underway.

Overview

Led by Dr Kate Selway from Macquarie University, along with Professor Matt King and Professor Anya Reading from the University of Tasmania, this two-year project will acquire and deploy 17 magnetotelluric (MT) instruments, building on recent ARC funding for GPS and seismic instruments.

The challenge

Antarctica's geophysical characterisation is hindered by research instrumentation that is not hardened enough to withstand its extreme weather conditions. As such, Antarctic research requires specialised, robust instrumentation that is not only capable of withstanding extreme conditions but also suitable for flexible and long-term deployments.

Expected Outcomes

Phase 1 (Completed):

Procurement and deployment of 10 magnetotelluric (MT) instruments.
Enhanced capacity for Antarctic geophysical research.
Long-term and flexible instrument deployment in diverse Antarctic environments.
Improved data collection on Antarctic geological and geophysical processes.

Phase 2 (In Progress):

Purchase of seven complete MT instruments configured for Antarctic conditions.
Includes Phoenix UMT loggers, MTC 100-series magnetometers, shielded electric field cables, Ti-sheet electrodes, deep-cycle batteries, solar panels, and charge controllers.
Configuration of instruments to Antarctic standards.
Development of training and instruction manuals for deployment by non-specialist operators.
Test deployment data to ensure capability.

What are the benefits?

Improved Geophysical Characterisation: Enhancing our understanding of Antarctica’s geophysical properties through the deployment of specialised magnetotelluric (MT) instruments.
Antarctic Ready Equipment: Developing and configuring instruments that can withstand extreme environments and be operated by non-specialist operators.
Enhanced Research Capability: Integration into broader Antarctic geophysical capabilities, complementing existing GPS and seismic instruments.
Open Access Data: collected data will be managed under FAIR principles, promoting transparency and further research opportunities.

Who will benefit?

Improved infrastructure and data for Antarctic research will benefit geophysics, glaciology, and climate science researchers, policymakers, and environmental managers.

Access

Data Access: Datasets will be accessible via the AuScope AusLAMP data repository at NCI when available.
Tool Access: Instrumentation will be accessible via ANSIR.

Acknowledging AuScope

This project was made possible by support from the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) through AuScope. Acknowledging AuScope and NCRIS helps us demonstrate the value of shared research infrastructure, ensuring continued support and resources for the research community.

If you helped deliver this project or have benefited from its outputs, please credit AuScope so we can include your work in our impact reporting. For examples of acknowledgment, please visit our ‘How to Acknowledge AuScope’ page.

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Project Name
Geophysical Research Infrastructure for Antarctica (GRIT)

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