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West Tasmania has a complex geological history, including a Cambrian tectonic collision and related orogenesis, which formed ore deposits in a volcanic hosted massive sulfide (VHMS) setting. While the topography and dense vegetation covering the area presents challenges for on-ground investigations, the area is relatively well-studied such that 3D geological models are available. This contribution presents results of a broadband magnetotelluric (MT) 2D transect across the area (∼30 stations over a $ \sim 80\,{\rm km} $ ∼ 80 km line, deployed in early 2016) that enables a combined interpretation of regional-scale geoelectric and geological structures. After accounting for noise, distortion and geoelectric strike; we produce 2D resistivity models using OCCAM2D inversion. We infer low resistivity anomalies in the shallow ( $ \lt 3\,{\rm km} $ < 3 km ), mid (3–8 km) and deeper crust. Along this MT transect the shallow and mid crust low resistivity zones correspond to major crustal faults. Deep low resistivity features in the east of the transect suggest fluid pathways associated with metamorphism along the western boundary of the Tyennan block during the Cambrian Tyennan Orogeny, while others potentially represent the metasomatism of lower crustal rocks and fluid pathways converging into the mid crust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat flow data obtained in connection with geothermal resource exploration suggests anomalous upper crustal structure and processes in parts of central east Tasmania. The regional scale crustal geology of the Midlands of Tasmania is, however, mostly obscured at the surface by the Permo-Triassic sedimentary sequences of the Tasmania Basin together with extensive exposures of Jurassic dolerite. We investigate controls on undercover crustal processes in this region by combining long period and broadband magnetotelluric (MT) datasets in 3D inversions for the geoelectric structure; followed by an interpretation that is informed by aspects of the pre-existing 3D regional geological and geophysical model. The new 3D model allows improved resolution of low resistivity anomalies together with a qualitative appraisal of spatially variable model sensitivity. The most robust features ( $ \lt 1\,\Omega {\rm m} $ < 1 Ω m ) in the 2–3 km depth interval occur where N–S and E–W faults intersect with a high point in the topography of the upper surface of a deep seated granite body. Enhancement of conductivity in this zone by clay, graphite or mineralisation, or a combination thereof, is likely. Other low resistivity features suggest that conductive pathways exist where major or multiple faults are present. These interpretations provide support for continued exploration in the Midlands of Tasmania for a variety of resources related to crustal fluids and fracturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geothermal heat plays a vital role in Antarctic ice sheet stability. The continental geothermal heat flow distribution depends on lithospheric composition and ongoing tectonism. Heat‐producing elements are unevenly enriched in the crust over deep time by various geological processes. The contribution of crustal heat production to geothermal heat flow is widely recognized; however, in Antarctica, crustal geology is largely hidden, and its complexity has frequently been excluded in thermal studies due to limited observations and oversimplified assumptions. Li and Aitken (2024), https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GL106201 take a significant step forward, focusing on Antarctic crustal radiogenic heat. Utilizing gravity inversion and rock composition data, they show that the crustal heterogeneity introduces considerable variability to heat flow. However, modeling crustal heat production proves challenging because it lacks distinct associations with geophysical observables and has a narrow spatial association. Robust quantification of geothermal heat production and heat flow must incorporate explicit aspects of geology. Plain Language Summary: Even moderate amounts of geothermal heat, or the natural warmth from the Earth's interior, can cause the base of Antarctica's ice sheets to melt or change how the ice behaves as it flows slowly toward the coast. Geothermal heat is not evenly spread within continents. Instead, it's influenced by how plate tectonics has affected the types of rocks present. While scientists agree that the Earth's crust is a major contributor to geothermal heat generation, studies in Antarctica have often left out how rock type differences might affect heat distribution. The study by Li and Aitken (2024), https://doi.org/10.1029/2023gl106201 looks more closely at how the Earth's crust beneath Antarctica varies and how that affects the heat impacting its ice sheets from below. In this commentary, we highlight that although heat production is difficult to model, their findings are important for understanding the natural influences on ice sheets as we observe and predict the impact of ongoing climate change. However, to provide robust estimates, a detailed geological understanding is required. Key Points: Antarctic ice sheet stability is highly dependent on the crustal contribution of radiogenic heat production to geothermal heat flowContrasts in crustal density may indicate upper crustal radiogenic heat production distributionsRobust geothermal models need to factor in heterogeneity at the scales of intrusions, metamorphic facies, and sedimentary units [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the high number and diversity of events in a typical cryoseismic dataset, in particular those recorded on ice sheet margins, it is desirable to use a semi-automated method of grouping similar events for reconnaissance and ongoing analysis. We present a workflow for employing semi-unsupervised cluster analysis to inform investigations of the processes occurring in glaciers and ice sheets. In this demonstration study, we make use of a seismic event catalogue previously compiled for the Whillans Ice Stream, for the 2010–2011 austral summer outlined in Part 1,. We address the challenges of seismic event analysis for a complex wave field by clustering similar seismic events into groups using characteristic temporal, spectral, and polarization attributes of seismic time series with the k -means++ algorithm. This provides the basis for a reconnaissance analysis of a seismic wave field that contains local events (from the ice stream) set in an ambient wave field that itself contains a diversity of signals (mostly from the Ross Ice Shelf). As one result, we find that two clusters include stick-slip events that diverge in terms of length and initiation locality (i.e., central sticky spot and/or the grounding line). We also identify a swarm of high-frequency signals on 16–17 January 2011 that are potentially associated with a surface melt event from the Ross Ice Shelf. Used together with the event detection presented in Part 1, the semi-automated workflow could readily be generalized to other locations and, as a possible benchmark procedure, could enable the monitoring of remote glaciers over time and comparisons between locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the high number and diversity of events in a typical cryoseismic dataset, in particular those recorded on ice sheet margins, it is desirable to use a semi-automated method of grouping similar events for reconnaissance and ongoing analysis. We present a workflow for employing semi-unsupervised cluster analysis to inform investigations of the processes occurring in glaciers and ice sheets. In this demonstration study, we make use of a seismic event catalogue previously compiled for the Whillans Ice Stream, for the 2010–2011 austral summer (outlined in companion paper, Latto et al., 2023). We address the challenges of seismic event analysis for a complex wavefield by clustering similar seismic events into groups using characteristic temporal, spectral, and polarization attributes of seismic time series with the k-means++ algorithm. This provides the basis for a reconnaissance analysis of a seismic wavefield that contains local events (from the ice stream) set in an ambient wavefield that itself contains a diversity of signals (mostly from the Ross Ice Shelf). As one result, we find that two clusters include stick-slip events that diverge in terms of length and initiation locality (i.e. Central Sticky Spot and/or the grounding line). We also identify a swarm of high frequency signals on January 16–17, 2011 that are potentially associated with a surface melt event from the Ross Ice Shelf. Used together with the event detection presented in the companion paper, the semi-automated workflow could readily generalize to other locations, and as a possible benchmark procedure, could enable the monitoring of remote glaciers over time and comparisons between locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When ice sheets melt, and reduce the load on the surface of the Earth, the land areas beneath them bounce back up. New, accurate observations are needed to investigate this uplift and its implications effectively. This article provides a topical starting point for investigating some applications of physics applied to the polar regions of the Earth, and interaction between the solid Earth, ice and oceans. (Contains 8 figures.)

In this contribution we consider the visualization of global, deep Earth volume datasets for display and researcher interaction. While the algorithms and data analysis techniques that produce such volumetric results have become more sophisticated, the manner of visualizing these findings can be improved. We address the challenge of making an illustrative, exploratory visualization of a global geoscience dataset using a combined seismic tomography result, the primary means by which geoscientists infer structure and process in the deep Earth. We present a novel, interactive graphical application suite and associated workflow that uses an intuitive 2.5D layer compositing approach. This allows the user to adjust the separation between data-slices, control graphics variables such as color mapping, opacity and compositing, and facilitate exploration and annotation of the architecture of the lithosphere. Graphics outputs from our applications are enabled for immersive systems such as dome displays. In a case study we visualize the deep Earth structure beneath the Indian Ocean region. We anticipate that the application methodology will find use in the visualization of multiple datasets representing aspects of the Earth's deep interior and atmosphere, and in the interaction with the increasing number of rich datasets from missions to our neighboring planets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]