A large volume of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet drains through the Totten Glacier (TG) and is thought to be a potential source of substantial global sea-level rise over the coming centuries. We show that the surface velocity and height of the floating part of the TG, which buttresses the grounded component, have varied substantially over two decades (1989–2011), with variations in surface height strongly anti-correlated with simulated basal melt rates (r = 0.70, p < 0.05). Coupled glacier–ice shelf simulations confirm that ice flow and thickness respond to both basal melting of the ice shelf and grounding on bed obstacles. We conclude the observed variability of the TG is primarily ocean-driven. Ocean warming in this region will lead to enhanced ice-sheet dynamism and loss of upstream grounded ice.
History
Publication title
Geological Society Special Publication
Volume
461
Pagination
175-186
ISSN
0305-8719
Department/School
Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies
Publisher
Geological Society Publishing House
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Rights statement
Copyright 2017 The Authors. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Repository Status
Open
Socio-economic Objectives
Effects of climate change on Antarctic and sub-Antarctic environments (excl. social impacts)