Current and future plans of the JARE Earth science
programs and the seismic instrumentation development 
for the Antarctic research

Kazuo Shibuya
National Institute of Polar Research
Kaga 1-9-10, Itabashi-ku
Tokyo, Japan
shibuya@nipr.ac.jp

Abstract: The science programs of the Japanese
Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE) are planned
under the initiative of the National Institute
of Polar Research (NIPR). The field plans are
made under the framework of the five-year scheme
(currently the sixth programme for the 2002-2006
fiscal year). Station geophysics are continuously 
running with all components and with changing 
(budgetary) emphasis on broadband seismometer (STS), 
GPS/BPG, VLBI, SG/AG and remote sensing satellites' 
receiving. For regional geophysics program, JARE's 
weak transport/logistic support forces us realization 
of one large field champaign with changing disciplines 
(among petrology, quarternary research, etc.).  
Seismic refraction/reflection experiments in Mizuho 
Plateau by JARE-43 (finished in 2002), were one of 
such champaigns and the next one will be airborne 
geophysics (gravity, magnetics, ice-echo sounding etc.) 
by JARE-47 and -48 (in collaboration with AWI/DLR). 
Medium-size program will be GRACE-related ground 
surveys during 2004-2006. Installation of large scale 
(> 1000 km) seismic network in Antarctica inevitably 
means international collaboration, especially when deep 
borehole-type broadband seismometers are considered, 
and we like to be involved in such feasibility search. 
Though the development of the helicopter-deployable 
seismometer (we call Antarctic penetrator) for the JARE-
43 experiments was not so successful, integration to 
future field surveys after improvements will be pursued.