Alp Ünal, a researcher at Istanbul Technical University's Faculty of Mines, has been involved as a researcher in an ambitious research project in his scientific career, spanning one of the most challenging and understudied natural environments in the world. In the project titled "Petrology, Geochronology and Place of Nelson Island (Nw Antarctica) Magmatism in the South Shetland Arc System" supported within the scope of Turkey's National Polar Science Program, he had the opportunity to deepen his researcher identity by taking responsibility in both conducting field studies in the icy lands of Antarctica and analyzing the collected samples in high-tech laboratories.
Within the scope of the project, the origin and age of volcanic and intrusive rocks outcropping on Nelson Island, one of the mysterious regions of the South Shetland Islands, were investigated. Ünal collected 68 rock samples during his field studies in difficult polar conditions. These samples were then subjected to petrographic, geochemical (XRF, ICP-MS), isotopic (Sr-Nd-Pb), and geochronological (40Ar/39Ar dating) analyses, shedding light on the evolution of the igneous arc system in the region over millions of years.
"Touching a rock in Antarctica is like touching one of the purest pages of our planet's geological history. Analyzing the samples we collected from this challenging geography in the laboratory and filling a gap in the evolution of South Shetland arc magmatism took my scientific curiosity and quest to discover to the next level. Combining observation in the field with data in the laboratory has solidified my identity as a researcher between field and analysis. The education I received at ITU provided an analytical basis for me to solve this geological puzzle I encountered," says Ünal.
Alp Ünal, who led the project, not only filled a major gap in academic circles with the results obtained, but also strengthened Turkey's scientific presence and strategic position in polar research. The project directly contributed to Turkey's goal of strengthening the country in polar research specified in the 2024-2028 Development Plan.
While ITU offers a tool to understand the big picture by unraveling the geological secrets of Antarctica, it also gives our researchers like Alp Ünal the opportunity to take firm steps forward in the most competitive fields of the international scientific arena. Ünal's experience is the product of an environment in which our university carries its scientific production culture to the most challenging geographies.