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· The Geological Survey of India (GSI) is associated with the Indian Antarctic Programme as a lead agency since the very beginning when first expedition was launched to the icy continent in 1981. GSI, over these years, has vigorously pursued its major programme of regional geological mapping and till 2004-05, a total area of 19,000 sq. km. (inclusive of intervening ice covered areas) has been mapped on 1: 50,000 scale, in the central Dronning Maud Land of East Antarctica. The mapping programme aims at creating geological database of a little known area before taking up detailed thematic studies, for comprehensive understanding of the crustal evolutionary history of the central Dronning Maud Land.
· The mapping carried out so far have paved the way for detailed thematic mapping to have an in-depth knowledge of the processes involved in the formation of Rodinia and Gondwana lands. Already two geological maps - one of the Schirmacher Oasis and another of Wohlthat mountain regions of the central Dronning Maud Land have been published. Two more maps - geological map of the Orvin mountains and geo-morphological map of the Schirmacher Oasis are ready for publication.
· The 24th Indian Expedition to the Antarctica was led by Shri Rajesh Asthana, Senior Geologist of GSI. Shri M. Javed Beg, Senior Geologist was the deputy leader of the expedition. Shri P.K. Shrivastava, Junior Geologist and Shri K. Ramar, Drilling Engineer participated.
· In the austral summer of 2004-05, geologically mapping of about 1,000 sq. km. area on 1:50,000 scale was carried out in western Muhlig Hofmann Fjella range. The mapped area lies 310 km. away from the Indian Research station Maitri. The northern part of the mapped area consists of charnockites and granites intruded by basic dykes and lamprophyres. A total of 175 rock samples were collected from the area for petrological, petrochemical and other studies.
· Besides geological studies, GSI is also engaged in glaciological studies of different kinds in Antarctica. Under this programme monitoring of polar ice front and growth pattern of shelf ice are the ongoing studies, which given an insight on the dynamic processes of different snow and ice regimes in the Princess Astrid Coast area of the central Dronning Maud Land. The study of polar ice front started with monitoring of a tongue of ice christened "Dakshin Gangotri glacier" overriding the southern edge of the Schmirmacher Oasis.
· GSI is also recording the iceberg distribution pattern in the Southern Ocean every year. The monitoring is done during onward and return journeys to and from Antarctica.
· GSI has a collaborative programme with the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG), Mumbai under which 12 marker points on continental ice sheet and its northern front are monitored using high precision GPS measurements for deciphering movement of ice sheet.
· Photogeological and remote sensing studies using image enhanced techniques viz. resolution merge, filtering and directional enhancements are being carried out to define areas of weakness in the shelf ice in the Indian Bay region of Princess Astrid Coast.
· Core sampling for sedimentorogical / palynological studies on lake sediments is another feature of diverse activities taken up by GSI in Antarctica. Under this programme, during the 24th expedition a total of 750 cm of sediment core was retrieved from different lakes of Schirmacher Oasis.
· Shri M.J. Beg, Senior Geologist and Dy. Leader of 24th expedition is heading a taskforce to initiate scientific studies in Larsemann Hills area of the Ingrid Christensen Coast, East Antarctica, the site selected for the third Indian base in the continent. The Task Force team erected an igloo satellite cabin at the site on February 18, 2005 and geologically mapped about 12 sq. km. area. The area predominantly exposes gneisses in the northern and northwestern parts, which are trending in NE-SW direction and have low dips towards SE. Thirty rock samples and six water samples were also collected.
· The task earmarked for the ensuing 25th Antarctic Expedition 2005-06 includes regional geological mapping in western extremity of the Muhlig Hofmann mountains. If logistic constraints come in the way in taking up this task, GSI has alternative proposal to take up thematic mapping.
· The ongoing glaciological observations will be recorded and a new programme based on GPR soundings is proposed to be undertaken during the 25th expedition.
New Delhi: Asvina 05, 1927 / September 27, 2005Ministry of Mines and Minerals
DS/SCH