Science Advisory Board

The U.S. Ice Drilling Program (IDP) convenes a Science Advisory Board (SAB) to form and update the Long Range Science Plan that addresses multiple aspects of ice core and other ice science and associated technology. The annual SAB meeting was held in-person on February 15-16, 2024, in Arlington, VA. The first part of the meeting was an open session and included updates from IDP, the NSF Ice Core Facility, the Ice Core Working Group, and the Englacial and Subglacial Access Working Group (ESAWG). It also included discussions regarding ESAWG planning, and Safe and Inclusive Plan templates. The second part of the meeting was a closed session in which the SAB prioritized the technology investments outlined in the Long Range Science Plan and discussed SAB member rotation and SAB Terms of Reference. 

The members of the SAB are: 

• T.J. Fudge, Chair (University of Washington) 
• Joel Harper (University of Montana) 
• Matthew Siegfried (Colorado School of Mines) 
• Sarah Shackleton (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) 
• Martin Truffer (University of Alaska Fairbanks) 
• Ryan Venturelli (Colorado School of Mines) 
• Trista Vick-Majors (Michigan Technological University)

With access to the polar ice sheets beginning to open following the pandemic years, the Science Advisory Board of the U.S. Ice Drilling Program (IDP) has recommended that the Subglacial Access Working Group (SAWG) and Borehole Logging Working Group (BLWG) cease as separate groups. Instead, a single new working group, the IDP Englacial and Subglacial Access Working Group (ESAWG), is being formed. The ESAWG will provide an opportunity to develop and articulate new visions for U.S.-led englacial and subglacial science for the coming decade in the IDP Long Range Science Plan.

An in-person meeting of the Ice Core Working Group (ICWG) was held on May 11, 2023, at the University of Washington, following the 2nd U.S. Ice Core Open Science Meeting. Several people also attended the meeting via Zoom. Discussions included updates from IDP and the NSF Ice Core Facility, discussion about coordination with other Science Advisory Board (SAB) working groups and the SAB itself, updates to the Long Range Science Plan (LRSP), and ice drilling technology development for the LRSP. The agenda and presentations from the meeting are available on the IDP website.

The U.S. Ice Drilling Program (IDP) convenes a Science Advisory Board (SAB) to form and update the Long Range Science Plan that addresses multiple aspects of ice core and other ice science and associated technology. The annual SAB meeting was held May 1 via Zoom. The first part of the meeting was an open session and included updates from IDP, the Subglacial Access Working Group, and the Ice Core Working Group. It also included an update on borehole logging activities and thoughts on the future of the Borehole Logging Working Group, and a discussion of out-year planning for the SAB working groups. The second part of the meeting was a closed session in which the SAB prioritized the technology investments outlined in the Long Range Science Plan and discussed SAB member rotation and SAB Terms of Reference.

The agenda and presentations from the meeting are available on the IDP website. The members of the SAB are:

• T.J. Fudge, Chair (University of Washington)
• Joel Harper (University of Montana)
• Bess Koffman (Colby College)
• Matthew Siegfried (Colorado School of Mines)
• Martin Truffer (University of Alaska Fairbanks)
• Ryan Venturelli (Colorado School of Mines)
• Trista Vick-Majors (Michigan Technological University)

The annual IDP Science Advisory Board (SAB) meeting was held on March 3-4 via Zoom. The meeting included updates from NSF and IDP and the following SAB working groups: Ice Core Working Group and Subglacial Access Working Group. SAB members also discussed draft updates for the IDP Long Range Science Plan and prioritization of drilling technology developments. The presentations made during the meeting are available on the IDP website.

A virtual meeting of the Ice Core Working Group (ICWG) was held on February 17 to discuss updates to the Long Range Science Plan and other ICWG business. The presentations made during the February meeting are available on the IDP website. Following the U.S. Ice Core Open Science Meeting, a short hybrid (in-person and online) meeting of the ICWG was also held on May 26 in La Jolla, CA.

Each year in the spring, the Ice Drilling Program (IDP) works with its Science Advisory Board (SAB) and the research community to update the Long Range Science Plan. This Plan identifies the science in the coming decade that will require the use of ice drilling technology and expertise for the community. This also drives the formation of other plans, for example, the Long Range Drilling Technology Plan. The plans provide the basis for multi‐annual planning for the actions and drill development projects of IDP and others, and the plans give the funding agencies advance notice of upcoming community science needs.

If you need an ice core or a hole drilled in a glacier or ice sheet in the coming decade or a rock core from under shallow glacial ice, please make sure that the high‐level articulation of your science is captured in the current draft update of the Long Range Science Plan!

Please read through the draft Long Range Science Plan and send corrections, updates, or additions to IceDrill@Dartmouth.edu ASAP or not later than June 12, 2021. When sending corrections/updates, please also reference the appropriate line number in the draft Long Range Science Plan where the correction/update is needed.

Submission deadline: June 12, 2021

To download the working draft, visit: https://icedrill.org/long-range-science-plan

The annual Ice Core Working Group (ICWG) meeting was held virtually on March 8 via Zoom. Discussions included updates from NSF and IDP, project updates from Canada, Greenland, and Antarctica, the current status and future plans for the NSF-Ice Core Facility, data archiving, updates to the Long Range Science Plan (LRSP), and ice drilling technology development for the LRSP. The presentations made during the meeting are available on the IDP website at https://icedrill.org/library/presentations-2021-ice-core-working-group-meeting.

The annual IDP Science Advisory Board (SAB) meeting was held March 18-19 via Zoom. The meeting included updates from NSF and IDP, as well as from the three SAB working groups: Ice Core Working Group, Subglacial Access Working Group, and Borehole Logging Working Group. SAB members also discussed draft updates for the IDP Long Range Science Plan and prioritization of drilling technology developments. The presentations made during the meeting are available on the IDP website at https://icedrill.org/library/presentations-2021-science-advisory-board-meeting.

The U.S. Ice Drilling Program (IDP) convenes a Science Advisory Board (SAB) to form and update the Long Range Science Plan that addresses multiple aspects of ice core and other ice science and associated technology. The members of the SAB are Jill Mikucki (SAB Chair; University of Tennessee), T.J. Fudge (University of Washington), Brent Goehring (Tulane University), Bess Koffman (Colby College), Erin Pettit (Oregon State University), Martin Truffer (University of Alaska Fairbanks), Trista Vick-Majors (Michigan Technological University), and Paul Winberry (Central Washington University). The next SAB meeting will be held in a virtual format on March 18-19, 2021. If you envision the need for ice drilling for your project in the coming decade, send several sentences describing the science driver and the anticipated field date and location for your project so that your plans are voiced in this planning document. Please email your input as soon as possible to any SAB members or the IDP via IceDrill@Dartmouth.edu. The 2020-2030 Long Range Science Plan is available at https://icedrill.org/long-range-science-plan.

The U.S. Ice Drilling Program (IDP) convenes a Science Advisory Board (SAB) to form and update the Long Range Science Plan that addresses multiple aspects of ice core and other ice science and associated technology. On June 11, 2020, IDP held the annual SAB Meeting as an online meeting. The first part of the meeting was an open session and included updates from IDP and each of the three SAB working groups: Ice Core Working Group, Subglacial Access Working Group, and Borehole Logging Working Group. The second part of the meeting was a closed session that included an executive session during which the SAB prioritized the technology investments outlined in the Long Range Science Plan and discussed SAB member rotation and SAB Terms of Reference. Slawek Tulaczyk and Erich Osterberg rotated off of the SAB. The SAB selected Trista Vick-Majors, T.J. Fudge, and Martin Truffer as incoming SAB members, and selected ongoing member Jill Mikucki as the incoming Chair. The agenda and presentations from the meeting are available on the IDP website. The members of the SAB are Jill Mikucki (SAB Chair; University of Tennessee), T.J. Fudge (University of Washington), Brent Goehring (Tulane University), Bess Koffman (Colby College), Erin Pettit (Oregon State University), Martin Truffer (University of Alaska Fairbanks), Trista Vick-Majors (Michigan Technological University), and Paul Winberry (Central Washington University).

IDP held the Ice Core Working Group Community Planning Workshop on April 2-3, 2020. Originally planned to be held in Alexandria, VA, and originally advertised as the Ice Core Science Community Planning Workshop 2020, the workshop was held virtually via Zoom in response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Participants articulated future science targets in Greenland, Antarctica, and alpine glaciers and ice caps (outside Antarctica and Greenland), and discussed recommendations for the NSF Ice Core Facility. The workshop produced the following white papers:

• Community Recommendations for the NSF Ice Core Facility
• Paleoclimate Ice Core Research Priorities in Antarctica
• Alpine Glaciers and Ice Caps
• Ice Core Research Priorities in Greenland

IDP held the Ice Core Working Group Community Planning Workshop on April 2-3. Originally planned to be held in Alexandria, VA, and originally advertised as the Ice Core Science Community Planning Workshop 2020, the workshop was held virtually via Zoom in response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Participants articulated future science targets in Greenland, Antarctica, and alpine glaciers and ice caps (outside Antarctica and Greenland), and also discussed recommendations for the NSF Ice Core Facility. Presentations made during the meeting are available on the IDP website. The workshop produced the following white papers. U.S. scientists are invited to provide additional input to the white papers. Comments and edits are required before June 4, 2020.

• Research Priorities for Alpine Glaciers and Ice Caps
• Community Recommendations for the NSF Ice Core Facility
• Paleoclimate Ice Core Research Priorities in Antarctica
• Ice Core Research Priorities in Greenland

For more information about the ICWG, visit the ICWG webpage.

IDP will be working with the Science Advisory Board and community members in the coming month to update the Long Range Science Plan. If you envision the need for ice drilling for your project in the coming decade, send several sentences describing the science driver and the envisioned field date and location for your project, so that your plans are voiced in this planning document. Please email your input to IceDrill at Dartmouth dot edu soon! The 2018-2028 Long Range Science Plan is available at https://icedrill.org/about/resources.shtml#scienceplan

What: U.S. Ice Drilling Program (IDP) Subglacial Access Science Planning Workshop
When: March 29-30, 2019
Where: Herndon, Virginia
Website: https://icedrill.org/meetings/subglacial-access-science-planning-workshop-2019

The U.S. Ice Drilling Program (IDP) Subglacial Access Science Planning Workshop will take place in Herndon, Virginia, on March 29-30, 2019. The primary objective of this workshop is to provide focused feedback from the subglacial research community into the IDP Long Range Science Plan. Specifically, we seek to stimulate discussions that will yield a prioritized list of science objectives and associated targets and requirements (sampling, drilling and support needs) for the coming decade for the 2019 update to the IDP Long Range Science Plan. We will provide options for remote participation for the plenary aspects of the workshop, and also we welcome short presentations and/or written feedback from non-attendees.

We plan to have a draft white paper at the end of the workshop, and we will solicit feedback on the draft after the workshop, but before it is finalized, for inclusion in the IDP Long Range Science Plan. White papers that were written after the prior, 2016, subglacial access workshop can be downloaded here: https://icedrill.org/meetings/subglacial-access-drilling-idpo-science-planning-workshop

There is no registration fee for the workshop, but everyone planning to attend should register so that we will have an accurate headcount for meeting room space and catering. Further details regarding the upcoming workshop in Herndon, including registration instructions, agenda, and future updates, can be found at https://icedrill.org/meetings/subglacial-access-science-planning-workshop-2019.

The IDPO Science Advisory Board (IDPO-SAB), the IDPO-SAB working groups (Ice Core Working Group, Subglacial Access Working Group, and the Borehole Logging Working Group), and other community scientists, under Mary Albert's leadership, updated the IDPO Long Range Science Plan. The purpose of the Long Range Science Plan is to articulate goals and make recommendations for the direction for U.S. ice coring and drilling science, and for the development of drilling technology, infrastructure and logistical support needed to enable the science. The companion Long Range Drilling Technology Plan, updated by IDDO, identifies the drills and technologies needed to successfully implement the science in the Long Range Science Plan. Both plans are revisited and revised as appropriate each spring and are available at https://icedrill.org/scientists/scientists.shtml#scienceplan.

If you will need an ice core or a hole drilled in a glacier or ice sheet in the coming decade, or a rock core from under shallow glacial ice, please make sure that the high-level articulation of your science is captured in the IDPO Long Range Science Plan. If it isn't, send corrections, updates, or additions to IceDrill@Dartmouth.edu.

The IDPO Ice Core Working Group (ICWG) meeting was held in Alexandria, VA on January 22, 2018. Scientific findings from recent drilling activities were presented, and future possible investigations in Greenland and Antarctica were identified and discussed. The ICWG reaffirmed Hercules Dome as the priority deep drilling site for the community, due to its key location in archiving evidence of past dramatic changes in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. Science-technology tradeoffs were discussed regarding use of the Foro 3000 Drill versus the DISC Drill at Hercules Dome; the DISC Drill delivers a larger volume of ice, however the Foro 3000 Drill has much lower logistical requirements. The ICWG came to agreement that the Foro 3000 Drill will be the drill of choice for this important site.

IDPO conducted the annual Science Advisory Board (SAB) meeting in Madison, WI, on March 6-7. And IDDO conducted its annual Technical Advisory Board (TAB) meeting in Madison, WI, on March 7-8 to allow the two boards to overlap and talk with one another on March 7. The presentations and minutes from the meetings are available on the IDPO-IDDO website at http://icedrill.org/about/sab.shtml and http://icedrill.org/about/tab.shtml.

The Science Advisory Board (SAB) to the U.S. Ice Drilling Program Office invites nominations and expressions of interest from the scientific community to fill two open positions on the SAB. The SAB invites nominations and expressions of interest from all specialties but is particularly interested in maintaining expertise in geophysics and sub glacial processes. The primary purpose of the SAB is to maintain a long range science plan for US ice drilling activities that that addresses multiple aspects of ice and related science and associated technology, and informs investments in drilling and related infrastructure. SAB members typically serve for three years, attend the annual SAB meeting, and collaborate remotely as needed. Three SAB working groups, which include some SAB members and other members of the scientific community, provide input to SAB activities. For more information about the SAB please contact the current chair, Ed Brook ( brooke at geo.oregonstate.edu ).

* Please send nominations and expressions of interest to Icedrill at Dartmouth.edu by November 15, 2016. *

On May 22-23, 2016, IDPO held the 2016 Subglacial Access Science Community Planning Workshop in Herndon, Virginia, which was a science-planning meeting organized by IDPO Director Mary Albert and was open to the community and to NSF. The goal of the meeting was to identify community consensus on the major community science projects in the coming decade that would need subglacial access drilling. Attendees at the workshop included 30 scientists, four NSF program managers, and one representative of Antarctic Support Contract. IDPO Subglacial Access Working Group (IDPO-SAWG) members Jill Mikucki, Ross Powell, and John Goodge led the discussions at the meeting, facilitated by Mary Albert of IDPO. IDDO Program Director Kristina Slawny and Terry Benson (Physical Sciences Lab, University of Wisconsin – Madison) also participated in the workshop. Download the workshop's final agenda and participant list. The workshop produced the following white papers:

• Access Drilling Priorities in Ice Shelves and Ice Streams - Thwaites Glacier Region
• Access Drilling Priorities in Subglacial Aquatic Environments
• Access Drilling Priorities in the Antarctic Continental Interior
• Access Drilling Priorities in the Ross Sea Sector of the Antarctic Ice Sheet

The IDPO Science Advisory Board (SAB) meeting was held on April 11-12, 2016 at the Hilton Arlington in Arlington, VA. Planning for the meeting was a joint effort by Mary Albert and SAB Chair Ed Brook. With participation of the entire SAB membership and attendance by several program officers and section heads at NSF Polar Programs, as well as IDPO and IDDO management, the meeting was very productive in identifying the future direction of the science for the IDPO Long Range Science Plan and associated ice-drilling endeavors. Discussions also involved scenarios of possibilities for future hot water ice access drilling.

On July 1, 2015, IDPO presented a webinar to the Borehole Logging Working Group (BLWG) on innovations in borehole logging techniques used in industry. Bill Eustes led the workshop.

On May 21, 2015, IDPO's Ice Core Working Group (ICWC) held a virtual meeting in which it discussed current and upcoming ice coring issues, and reviewed and approved the prioritization of the drilling technology projects that the IDPO Science Advisory Board had recommended. The meeting was led by ICWG Chair Karl Kreutz.

The IDPO Science Advisory Board, IDPO, IDDO, and the science community, under Mary Albert's leadership, updated the IDPO Long Range Science Plan. The purpose of the Long Range Science Plan is to articulate goals and make recommendations for the direction for U.S. ice coring and drilling science, and for the development of drilling technology, infrastructure and logistical support needed to enable the science. The companion Long Range Drilling Technology Plan, updated by IDDO, identifies the drills and technologies needed to successfully implement the science in the Long Range Science Plan. Both plans are revisited and revised as appropriate each spring.

The IDPO Science Advisory Board (SAB) meeting was held on April 16-17, 2015 at the Hilton Arlington in Arlington, VA. Planning for the meeting was a joint effort by Mary Albert and SAB Chair Ed Brook. With participation of the entire SAB membership and attendance by seven NSF Program Managers as well as IDPO and IDDO management, the meeting was very productive in identifying the future direction of the science for the IDPO Long Range Science Plan and associated ice-drilling endeavors. Discussions also involved scenarios of possibilities for future hot water ice access drilling. The minutes and presentations from the meeting are available at http://icedrill.org/about/sab.shtml .

Science Advisory Board Meeting
IDPO held the IDPO Science Advisory Board (SAB) annual meeting on March 14-15, 2013 at the Hilton in Arlington, VA, where members of the SAB, IDPO, IDDO, and NSF shared information and discussed aspects of the Long Range Science Plan. The draft 2013 Long Range Science Plan will be released shortly, and comments and input from the community will be requested. The minutes from the SAB meeting are being drafted and, when finished, will be available for download at http://icedrill.org/about/sab.shtml.

DISC Drill - Updated Science Requirements
IDPO discussed with IDDO the need for updated Science Requirements for long range planning for the DISC Drill. IDPO will work with the community and with IDDO this summer to revisit the requirements and establish updated science requirements that will establish a direction for work on the DISC Drill in coming years, including preparation for very cold conditions.

During its 2012 meeting, the IDPO Science Advisory Board (SAB) voted to add elements to its structure to include standing working groups by including the existing Ice Core Working Group, and forming two new working groups: Borehole Logging and Subglacial Access Drilling. Other working groups may be added in the future if there is a need. Each working group will have a membership including a SAB member, and will hold virtual meetings through teleconferences and webinars to provide broader community input to the SAB for use in forming the IDPO Long Range Science Plan and other actions relevant to the working group interest.

Working Group on Subglacial Access Drilling (WGSAD)
The WGSAD represents the broad range of scientists interested in gaining data from beneath glaciers and ice sheets. The breadth of fields includes (but is not limited to) basement and bedrock geology, Cenozoic sedimentary basins, till, heat flow, exposure dating, stream hydrology (englacial, subglacial), geochemistry, limnology, oceanography, microbiology, etc. Ross Powell, currently on the SAB, is initially leading the group. Other standing SAB members currently representing these communities are Jill Mikucki for microbiology, and Howard Conway for exposure dating.

Working Group on Borehole Logging (WGBL)
The WGBL represents the broad range of scientists interested in deploying logging instruments in glaciers and ice sheets. Ryan Bay and Gary Clow, who are both currently on the SAB, are initially leading the group.

*** If you are interested in contributing to the WGSAD or the WGBL and advising on future paths the U.S. ice drilling program should take, please notify Joseph Souney of IDPO at joseph.souney@unh.edu by May 18. ***

Ice Core Working Group (ICWG)
The ICWG is an established group of scientist who investigate scientific issues pertaining to ice cores. Members are selected from the scientific community and their role consists of providing guidance to the NSF on topics related to sample access, distribution, inventory, policy issues, operation and maintenance of the National Ice Core Laboratory (NICL), and future directions for ice core research. Karl Kreutz, who is currently on the SAB, is the current chair of the ICWG. For more information about the ICWG, visit: http://nicl-smo.unh.edu/icwg/index.shtml

For more information about the SAB, its Working Groups, and to access SAB-related documents, visit: http://icedrill.org/about/sab.shtml