Workshop on Submarine Geophysical Surveys in the Arctic

9510738 Coakley Abstract This award provides funds for a workshop to address the scientific potential of a nuclear submarine as a geophysical research platform in the Arctic Ocean. Use of a US Navy nuclear submarine for civilian (unclassified) scientific research in the Arctic Ocean has been made possible through a Memorandum of Understanding between the US Navy, the Office of Naval Research, the National Science Foundation, the US Geological Survey, and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. The general concept of using a submarine platform for marine geophysical work is intriguing and there is clearly enough potential to warrant serious consideration. The first step in consideration of a possible cruise dedicated to geophysics is to determine the sort of geophysical work that is achievable from a submarine and if the specific scientific problems that might be addressed are important enough to encourage the research community to submit proposals for consideration by the Foundation. Essentially, the potential role of a nuclear submarine in Arctic Ocean geophysical investigations must be determined. This workshop will address this issue and provide their recommendations to the Foundation.