Overview of AfricaArrayOverview of AfricaArray AfricaArray Science AfricaArray Science Broader ImpactsBroader Impacts MilestonesMilestones Next stepsNext steps Discussion/questions/feedbackDiscussion/questions/feedback

AESEDAAESEDAAlliance for Earth Sciences, Engineering and Development in Alliance for Earth Sciences, Engineering and Development in

AfricaAfrica

October 2003 Kick-off SymposiumOctober 2003 Kick-off Symposium Paul Dirks, Head, School of GeosciencesPaul Dirks, Head, School of Geosciences

University of the Witwatersrand, S. AfricaUniversity of the Witwatersrand, S. Africa Oil company reps - workforce issues, lack of well Oil company reps - workforce issues, lack of well

trained African scientiststrained African scientists Discussions about new seismic projects (Angola, Discussions about new seismic projects (Angola,

Uganda, South Africa)Uganda, South Africa)

AfricaArrayAfricaArray

AfricaArrayAfricaArray: Training a Scientific Workforce for : Training a Scientific Workforce for Africa’s Natural Resource Sector Africa’s Natural Resource Sector

(White paper, November 2003)(White paper, November 2003)

WorkshopsWorkshopsWits, Feb. 2004Wits, Feb. 2004Houston, May 2004Houston, May 2004Wits, July 2004Wits, July 2004

Target launch date Target launch date January 1, 2005January 1, 2005

AfricaArrayAfricaArray

Goal:Goal: Establish a unique in-situ geophysics training Establish a unique in-situ geophysics training

and research program to help build a scientific and research program to help build a scientific workforceworkforce

As part of this training and research program, As part of this training and research program, create a create a shared shared scientific facility (broadband scientific facility (broadband seismic network, GPS) to promote education, seismic network, GPS) to promote education, research, and community building in geophysicsresearch, and community building in geophysics

How will AfricaArray achieve these goal?How will AfricaArray achieve these goal?

AfricaArray will tightly couple education and research AfricaArray will tightly couple education and research programs in geophysics with recording stations (seismic programs in geophysics with recording stations (seismic intially) across Africa over a 20 year period for:intially) across Africa over a 20 year period for:

In-situ training of a new generation of African scientists, In-situ training of a new generation of African scientists,

developing facilities within African institutions, developing facilities within African institutions,

promoting community building among African scientists, promoting community building among African scientists,

increasing basic knowledge of earth structure. increasing basic knowledge of earth structure.

““AfricaArrayAfricaArray” = array of stations + array of training programs + array of ” = array of stations + array of training programs + array of research projects + array of partnerships and collaborationsresearch projects + array of partnerships and collaborations

AfricaArrayAfricaArray will be implemented in 3 phases will be implemented in 3 phases

Phase 1 (years 1-3, starting Jan. 2005)Phase 1 (years 1-3, starting Jan. 2005)

the geophysics program will be improved and expanded at the the geophysics program will be improved and expanded at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, to provide BSc, MSc University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, to provide BSc, MSc and Ph.D. degree training and Ph.D. degree training

seismic stations will be installed or upgraded in participating seismic stations will be installed or upgraded in participating countries as part of a permanent “backbone” seismic networkcountries as part of a permanent “backbone” seismic network

train technical personnel how to operate and maintain seismic train technical personnel how to operate and maintain seismic stations stations

data from the seismic stations will be used for student thesis data from the seismic stations will be used for student thesis research research

AfricaArrayAfricaArray Implementation Implementation

Phase 2 (years 4-6) & Phase 3 (years 7-10)Phase 2 (years 4-6) & Phase 3 (years 7-10)

Expand training programsExpand training programs

build centers of excellence in geophysics at other build centers of excellence in geophysics at other universitiesuniversities

Expand network of permanent seismic stationsExpand network of permanent seismic stations

“ “flexible” seismometer arrays will be installedflexible” seismometer arrays will be installed

Develop outreach programsDevelop outreach programs

Degree Training Program at WitsDegree Training Program at Wits(oil and mining company interests)(oil and mining company interests)

Degrees (US/European standard training in Africa)Degrees (US/European standard training in Africa) BSc (geology with physics; 3 yrs)BSc (geology with physics; 3 yrs) BSc Honours (geophysics; 1 yr)BSc Honours (geophysics; 1 yr) MSc (geophysics; 2-3 yrs)MSc (geophysics; 2-3 yrs) Ph.D. (geophysics; 4-6 yrs)Ph.D. (geophysics; 4-6 yrs)

Fee structure -- no buy-in costs; research support Fee structure -- no buy-in costs; research support included in fee structureincluded in fee structure

Sandwich program for MSc and Ph.D. students - spend Sandwich program for MSc and Ph.D. students - spend up to 6 months/yr at US or European Universityup to 6 months/yr at US or European University

2005: 10 BSc students; 1 MSc; 2 Ph.D.2005: 10 BSc students; 1 MSc; 2 Ph.D. Students come from 5 African countriesStudents come from 5 African countries

Recent improvements in Recent improvements in training programtraining program

Added to part-time staff (faculty)Added to part-time staff (faculty) Seismic reflection and mine seismologySeismic reflection and mine seismology Ground penetrating radarGround penetrating radar

Sandwich program set up for MSc and Sandwich program set up for MSc and PhD students (4 U.S. universities; 2 PhD students (4 U.S. universities; 2 European universities)European universities)

Data Policy for AA stationsData Policy for AA stations(as per July 04 workshop)(as per July 04 workshop)

Data from AfricaArray stations must be Data from AfricaArray stations must be archived at the IRIS DMC archived at the IRIS DMC

Data can be archived at other data centers Data can be archived at other data centers at the same timeat the same time

Data must be made open after a set Data must be made open after a set period of time (2 years probably)period of time (2 years probably)

HOW is Geophysics relevant to HOW is Geophysics relevant to the development of Africathe development of Africa

MINISTER NGCUKAMINISTER NGCUKA (Minister of Minerals & Energy, SA) GEOSCIENCE AFRICA 2004 CONFERENCE, WITS GEOSCIENCE AFRICA 2004 CONFERENCE, WITS UNIVERSITYUNIVERSITY

In her opening address THE MINISTER mentioned the high cost In her opening address THE MINISTER mentioned the high cost to South Africa of oil and gas imports. She challenged the to South Africa of oil and gas imports. She challenged the audience to:audience to:• Assist in making new oil & gas discoveriesAssist in making new oil & gas discoveries• Promote mineral explorationPromote mineral exploration• Promote mine safety issuesPromote mine safety issues• Promote man power developmentPromote man power development

Endorsement by Minister NgcukaEndorsement by Minister Ngcuka

GEOSCIENCE AFRICA 2004 CONFERENCE, GEOSCIENCE AFRICA 2004 CONFERENCE, WITS UNIVERSITYWITS UNIVERSITY

Minister Ngcuka specifically endorsed AfricaArray Minister Ngcuka specifically endorsed AfricaArray and mentioned it as:and mentioned it as:

‘‘an example of a an example of a

collaborative project collaborative project

worthy of support’.worthy of support’.

PartnershipsPartnerships School of Geosciences, University of Wits ($900K)School of Geosciences, University of Wits ($900K) Council for Geoscience ($800K)Council for Geoscience ($800K) Penn State University ($20K) Penn State University ($20K)

($1.7 M in-kind support)($1.7 M in-kind support)

Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS)Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) Countries: South Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Countries: South Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana,

Ethiopia, Uganda, Zambia, DRC, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Angola, NigeriaEthiopia, Uganda, Zambia, DRC, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Angola, Nigeria Participating educational and government organizationsParticipating educational and government organizations Many universities in Africa and the U.S.Many universities in Africa and the U.S. Many geological surveys AfricaMany geological surveys Africa

growing quicklygrowing quickly

SupportSupport Establish a PUBLIC-PRIVATE funding partnershipEstablish a PUBLIC-PRIVATE funding partnership

Funding Agencies: Funding Agencies: Public: NSF, DOE, USAID, NRF, DST, DME,other government Public: NSF, DOE, USAID, NRF, DST, DME,other government organizationsorganizations

Private: foundations, Multinational corporations working in Africa Private: foundations, Multinational corporations working in Africa (primarily oil and mineral)(primarily oil and mineral)

Funding Partners (so far): Funding Partners (so far): Private: Schlumberger, ISSI, CSIR/MiningTek, ExxonMobil, Private: Schlumberger, ISSI, CSIR/MiningTek, ExxonMobil, Mineral Education Trust Fund (S. Africa)Mineral Education Trust Fund (S. Africa)

Public: NSF, NRFPublic: NSF, NRF

GOAL: $2.7M for Phase 1 GOAL: $2.7M for Phase 1

Science ObjectivesScience Objectives Theme “4D Imaging of the African Crust and Theme “4D Imaging of the African Crust and

Mantle” Mantle” many geological targets of economic, academic and many geological targets of economic, academic and

societal interest societal interest extremely old (Archean) to very recent (active faults), extremely old (Archean) to very recent (active faults), very large (sub-continental scale) to very small (individual very large (sub-continental scale) to very small (individual

faults within a basin or intrusive complex)faults within a basin or intrusive complex) very deep (lower mantle) to very shallow (near-surface very deep (lower mantle) to very shallow (near-surface

aquifers). aquifers). AfricaArrayAfricaArray science will investigate a wide range of targets science will investigate a wide range of targets

spanning much of geologic time and many spatial scales spanning much of geologic time and many spatial scales using data from the using data from the AfricaArrayAfricaArray scientific observatories, plus scientific observatories, plus geophysical, geochemical, and geological data available geophysical, geochemical, and geological data available from other sources. from other sources.

AfricaArray science encompasses all geophysics, not just AfricaArray science encompasses all geophysics, not just seismologyseismology

Imaging the Imaging the African African

SuperplumeSuperplume Largest seismic anomaly in the Largest seismic anomaly in the

mantlemantle The largest flow structure in the The largest flow structure in the

mantlemantle Poorly imaged with current Poorly imaged with current

seismic data due to limited ray seismic data due to limited ray coveragecoverage

Structure may hold the key to Structure may hold the key to unraveling the nature of unraveling the nature of convection in the mantleconvection in the mantle

Improving the seismic images of Improving the seismic images of the superplume is difficult the superplume is difficult without additional datawithout additional data

AfricaArray is positioned to AfricaArray is positioned to provide the definitive seismic provide the definitive seismic data set for imaging the data set for imaging the superplumesuperplume

NSF fundingNSF funding

Projects under developmentProjects under development

Imaging the Bushveld Complex (David James, Matt Imaging the Bushveld Complex (David James, Matt Fouch, Univ. of Wits)Fouch, Univ. of Wits)

Imaging the deep structure of the Congo Craton Imaging the deep structure of the Congo Craton (Nyblade and diamond exploration companies)(Nyblade and diamond exploration companies)

Lithospheric structure of African basins (Nyblade and Lithospheric structure of African basins (Nyblade and ExxonMobil)ExxonMobil)

Structure and tectonics of the SW East African rift Structure and tectonics of the SW East African rift system (Belgium lead)system (Belgium lead)

Structure, tectonics and uplift of the Ruwenzori Mts., Structure, tectonics and uplift of the Ruwenzori Mts., Uganda (Germany lead)Uganda (Germany lead)

Structure of the Wits basin (S. Africa lead)Structure of the Wits basin (S. Africa lead)

Broader ImpactsBroader Impacts Enhancing diversity in the GeosciencesEnhancing diversity in the Geosciences

History - History - Mining Charter Act and pressures within South Mining Charter Act and pressures within South

Africa to train students from historically Africa to train students from historically disadvantaged backgroundsdisadvantaged backgrounds

How does AfricaArray address this problem?How does AfricaArray address this problem?

Solution: Summer geophysics field course to Solution: Summer geophysics field course to introduce science, engineering and math students introduce science, engineering and math students to geophysicsto geophysics

Broader Impacts (cont.)Broader Impacts (cont.)

Links to NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa’s Links to NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa’s Development). AfricaArray has been well received by Development). AfricaArray has been well received by NEPAD officials.NEPAD officials.

Tsunami warning system for the Indian Ocean. Tsunami warning system for the Indian Ocean. AfricaArray is well positioned to provide critical data.AfricaArray is well positioned to provide critical data.

Vehicle to further cooperative research: A model that can Vehicle to further cooperative research: A model that can be easily adapted to other science and technology fieldsbe easily adapted to other science and technology fields

MilestonesMilestones AfricaArray is up and running in just 1 year!AfricaArray is up and running in just 1 year! Three successful workshops in 2004Three successful workshops in 2004 High visibility at NSF: presentation to GEO High visibility at NSF: presentation to GEO

January 24, 2005January 24, 2005 High visibility within South Africa: NRF, NEPAD, High visibility within South Africa: NRF, NEPAD,

DMEDME High visibility within science community: news High visibility within science community: news

article in NATUREarticle in NATURE Web site launched end of 2004Web site launched end of 2004 First AA students at Wits, January 2005First AA students at Wits, January 2005

A few next steps…..A few next steps…..

First data to IRIS DMC within a few weeksFirst data to IRIS DMC within a few weeks New stations in: Angola, Namibia, Mozambique New stations in: Angola, Namibia, Mozambique

and Malawiand Malawi Fund raising: SEG Foundation, Oil company Fund raising: SEG Foundation, Oil company

foundations, mining companies, AID foundations, mining companies, AID organizationsorganizations

Tsunami warning system for Indian Ocean?Tsunami warning system for Indian Ocean? Set up an advisory boardSet up an advisory board Develop further the governance structureDevelop further the governance structure

Workshop goalsWorkshop goals to provide information about AfricaArray to interested to provide information about AfricaArray to interested

parties;parties; to encourage participation in all aspects of AfricaArray by to encourage participation in all aspects of AfricaArray by

European scientists;European scientists; to define short-time strategies for improving the to define short-time strategies for improving the

AfricaArray seismic network through collaborations with AfricaArray seismic network through collaborations with European scientists and network operators;European scientists and network operators;

to define long-term strategies for obtaining funding and to define long-term strategies for obtaining funding and other forms of support for AfricaArray from European other forms of support for AfricaArray from European organizations and companies.organizations and companies.

Workshop product: A report that includes specific action Workshop product: A report that includes specific action items addressing goals 3) and 4).items addressing goals 3) and 4).

AgendaAgenda

Informational talks on networks and data Informational talks on networks and data managementmanagement

Working group assignments - answer Working group assignments - answer specific questionsspecific questions

WG leaders report back to whole groupWG leaders report back to whole group Group discussion of WG Group discussion of WG

recommendationsrecommendations Draft report with action itemsDraft report with action items