Report on workshop Present status and future plans for Solid Earth science in the Arctic region

Abstract: A workshop on " Present status and future plans for Solid Earth science in the Arctic region” was held on 23 rd May 2005, at the National Institute of Polar Research with 19 participants. The meeting provided the opportunity to review recent Earth Science activities in the Arctic region, followed by the discussion concerning prospects on future plans. The first section of the workshop covered present status on the geophysical observations, such as seismic and gravimetric monitoring. Scientific investigation and logistic infrastructure of the international station, such as Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, Norway, are introduced for future utilization by participants. Next, there are several topics concerning heterogeneous structure and dynamics in interior of the Earth, viewed from Arctic region. Useful discussions were made involving time variations in gravimetric values associated with Post Glacial Rebound, together with seismic structure in depth range between the Inner Core and the Lower-most Mantle. Moreover, the most suitable geometrical position of new permanent stations in the Arctic region, by taking into consideration the density of seismic ray paths from global teleseismic events. Finally, several international cooperative activities are introduced with regard to the programs of International Polar Year (IPY) 2007-2008. 2