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Numerical models of contemporary as well as paleo-ice sheets suggest that groundwater and heat exchanges between subglacial sedimentary basins and the ice sheet above, can be substantial and influence the flow of ice above. So far, an approach for the measurement and assessment of such heat fluxes has not been available. Here, we summarise existing evidence for groundwater and heat exchanges between contemporary and paleo ice sheets and the substrate below. We then explain the utility of electromagnetic geophysical measurements in elucidating such exchanges, and present magnetotelluric synthetic models of the deep sedimentary basin beneath the Institute Ice Stream in West Antarctica by way of illustration. Finally, we propose a simple empirical model by which heat exchanges between subglacial sedimentary basins and the overlying ice sheet can be estimated to first-order from electromagnetic data.

Item Type:	Refereed Conference Paper
Keywords:	Antarctica, ground heat transport, sedimentary basins
Research Division:	Earth Sciences
Research Group:	Geophysics
Research Field:	Electrical and electromagnetic methods in geophysics
Objective Division:	Environmental Policy, Climate Change and Natural Hazards
Objective Group:	Understanding climate change
Objective Field:	Effects of climate change on Antarctic and sub-Antarctic environments (excl. social impacts)
UTAS Author:	Thompson, S (Dr Sarah Thompson)
ID Code:	140815
Year Published:	2019
Deposited By:	Australian Antarctic Program Partnership
Deposited On:	2020-09-09
Last Modified:	2021-06-30
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