Geometry and ice dynamics of the Darwin-Hatherton glacial sy

Details of Research

TitleGeometry and ice dynamics of the Darwin-Hatherton glacial system, Transantarctic MountainsAbstractThe Darwin-Hatherton Glacial system (DHGS) connects the East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS) with the Ross Ice Shelf and is a key area for understanding past variations in ice thickness of surrounding ice masses. Here we present the first detailed measurements of ice thickness and grounding zone characteristics of the DHGS as well as new measurements of ice velocity. The results illustrate the changes that occur in glacier geometry and ice flux as ice flows from the polar plateau and into the Ross Ice Shelf. The ice discharge and the mean basal ice shelf melt for the first 8.5 km downstream of the grounding line amount to 0.24 ± 0.05 km3 a-1 and 0.3 ± 0.1 m a-1, respectively. As the ice begins to float, ice thickness decreases rapidly and basal terraces develop. Constructed maps of glacier geometry suggest that ice drainage from the EAIS into the Darwin Glacier occurs primarily through a deep subglacial canyon. By contrast, ice thins to <200 m at the head of the much slower flowing Hatherton Glacier. The glaciological field study establishes an improved basis for the interpretation of glacial drift sheets at the link between the EAIS and the Ross Ice Sheet. © The Author(s) 2017.Funding DetailsPRL-0733025, NSF, National Science Foundation; Antarctica New Zealand; Spirit, Spirit AeroSystems; ENZ, Education New Zealand; NE/D003733/1; 3132

Details

1st AuthorGillespie, M. AuthorGillespie, M.Lawson, W.Rack, W.Anderson, B.Blankenship, D.Young, D.Holt, J.Year2017JournalJournal of GlaciologyVolume63Number242Pages959-972DOI10.1017/jog.2017.60URLhttps://www.scopus.com/inward/recor.....99ddb577ad7d3fa4f3fa22a0fPublisherCambridge University PressKeywordsglacier mass balanceglaciologyice flowice thicknessice-ocean interactionpolar regionsea ice, Antarctic Ice SheetAntarcticaDarwin GlacierEast AntarcticaHatherton GlacierRoss Ice ShelfWest AntarcticaAuthor KeywordsAntarctic glaciologyglacier flowglacier mass balanceice thickness measurementsice/ocean interactions

Other

CitationGillespie, M., Lawson, W., Rack, W., Anderson, B., Blankenship, D., Young, D. and Holt, J. (2017). Geometry and ice dynamics of the Darwin-Hatherton glacial system, Transantarctic Mountains. Journal of Glaciology, 63(242): 959-972Antarctica NZ supported?YesNZARI?No