Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e2019GL086187 |
| Journal | Geophysical research letters |
| Volume | 47 |
| Issue number | 10 |
| Early online date | 20 May 2020 |
| Publication status | Published - 28 May 2020 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Abstract
The shape of ice shelf cavities are a major source of uncertainty in understanding ice-ocean interactions. This limits assessments of the response of the Antarctic ice sheets to climate change. Here we use vibroseis seismic reflection surveys to map the bathymetry beneath the Ekström Ice Shelf, Dronning Maud Land. The new bathymetry reveals an inland-sloping trough, reaching depths of 1,100 m below sea level, near the current grounding line, which we attribute to erosion by palaeo-ice streams. The trough does not cross-cut the outer parts of the continental shelf. Conductivity-temperature-depth profiles within the ice shelf cavity reveal the presence of cold water at shallower depths and tidal mixing at the ice shelf margins. It is unknown if warm water can access the trough. The new bathymetry is thought to be representative of many ice shelves in Dronning Maud Land, which together regulate the ice loss from a substantial area of East Antarctica.
Keywords
- Antarctica, Bathymetry, Ice dynamics, Ice shelf, Ice-Ocean Interaction, Seismics
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Earth and Planetary Sciences(all)
- Geophysics
- Earth and Planetary Sciences(all)
- General Earth and Planetary Sciences
Sustainable Development Goals
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In: Geophysical research letters, Vol. 47, No. 10, e2019GL086187, 28.05.2020.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Detailed Seismic Bathymetry Beneath Ekström Ice Shelf, Antarctica
T2 - Implications for Glacial History and Ice-Ocean Interaction
AU - Smith, Emma C.
AU - Hattermann, Tore
AU - Kuhn, Gerhard
AU - Gaedicke, Christoph
AU - Berger, Sophie
AU - Drews, Reinhard
AU - Ehlers, Todd A.
AU - Franke, Dieter
AU - Gromig, Rapahel
AU - Hofstede, Coen
AU - Lambrecht, Astrid
AU - Läufer, Andreas
AU - Mayer, Christoph
AU - Tiedemann, Ralf
AU - Wilhelms, Frank
AU - Eisen, Olaf
PY - 2020/5/28
Y1 - 2020/5/28
N2 - The shape of ice shelf cavities are a major source of uncertainty in understanding ice-ocean interactions. This limits assessments of the response of the Antarctic ice sheets to climate change. Here we use vibroseis seismic reflection surveys to map the bathymetry beneath the Ekström Ice Shelf, Dronning Maud Land. The new bathymetry reveals an inland-sloping trough, reaching depths of 1,100 m below sea level, near the current grounding line, which we attribute to erosion by palaeo-ice streams. The trough does not cross-cut the outer parts of the continental shelf. Conductivity-temperature-depth profiles within the ice shelf cavity reveal the presence of cold water at shallower depths and tidal mixing at the ice shelf margins. It is unknown if warm water can access the trough. The new bathymetry is thought to be representative of many ice shelves in Dronning Maud Land, which together regulate the ice loss from a substantial area of East Antarctica.
AB - The shape of ice shelf cavities are a major source of uncertainty in understanding ice-ocean interactions. This limits assessments of the response of the Antarctic ice sheets to climate change. Here we use vibroseis seismic reflection surveys to map the bathymetry beneath the Ekström Ice Shelf, Dronning Maud Land. The new bathymetry reveals an inland-sloping trough, reaching depths of 1,100 m below sea level, near the current grounding line, which we attribute to erosion by palaeo-ice streams. The trough does not cross-cut the outer parts of the continental shelf. Conductivity-temperature-depth profiles within the ice shelf cavity reveal the presence of cold water at shallower depths and tidal mixing at the ice shelf margins. It is unknown if warm water can access the trough. The new bathymetry is thought to be representative of many ice shelves in Dronning Maud Land, which together regulate the ice loss from a substantial area of East Antarctica.
KW - Antarctica
KW - Bathymetry
KW - Ice dynamics
KW - Ice shelf
KW - Ice-Ocean Interaction
KW - Seismics
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85085566332&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1029/2019GL086187
DO - 10.1029/2019GL086187
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85085566332
VL - 47
JO - Geophysical research letters
JF - Geophysical research letters
SN - 0094-8276
IS - 10
M1 - e2019GL086187
ER -