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Redefinition of the Amery Ice Shelf, East Antarctica, grounding zone
Citation
Fricker, HA and Allison, I and Craven, M and Hyland, G and Ruddell, A and Young, NW and Coleman, R and King, MA and Krebs, K and Popov, S, Redefinition of the Amery Ice Shelf, East Antarctica, grounding zone, Journal of Geophysical Research, 107, (B5) pp. 2092. ISSN 0148-0227 (2002) [Refereed Article]
Abstract
New evidence is presented which shows that the Amery Ice Shelf, East Antarctica, extends ∼240 km upstream of the previously reported position. We combine a digital elevation model of the Amery Ice Shelf created from ERS-1 satellite radar altimetry with measured ice thicknesses and a simple density model in a hydrostatic (buoyancy) calculation to map the extent of the floating ice. This reveals that the ice is floating as far south as 73.2°S. The result is confirmed by static GPS measurements collected during three consecutive field campaigns on the Amery Ice Shelf where the vertical component of the GPS shows a clear tidal signal at 72.98°S. Other evidence for the grounding zone position comes from an analysis of satellite imagery, mass flux calculations, and ice radar data. The southward extension of the grounding line substantially alters the shape and dimensions of the ocean cavity beneath the ice shelf, which has implications for modeling studies of sub-ice shelf processes, such as basal melting and freezing, ocean circulation, and tides. The new grounding line position will also improve geophysical studies, where the computation of ocean tidal loading corrections is important for postglacial rebound estimates and correction of satellite altimetry measurements within the region.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Research Division: | Earth Sciences |
| Research Group: | Physical geography and environmental geoscience |
| Research Field: | Glaciology |
| Objective Division: | Environmental Policy, Climate Change and Natural Hazards |
| Objective Group: | Adaptation to climate change |
| Objective Field: | Social impacts of climate change and variability |
| UTAS Author: | Allison, I (Dr Ian Allison) |
| UTAS Author: | Craven, M (Mr Mike Craven) |
| UTAS Author: | Hyland, G (Dr Glenn Hyland) |
| UTAS Author: | Ruddell, A (Dr Andrew Ruddell) |
| UTAS Author: | Young, NW (Mr Neal Young) |
| UTAS Author: | Coleman, R (Professor Richard Coleman) |
| UTAS Author: | King, MA (Professor Matt King) |
| ID Code: | 25661 |
| Year Published: | 2002 |
| Web of Science® Times Cited: | 46 |
| Deposited By: | Geography and Environmental Studies |
| Deposited On: | 2002-08-01 |
| Last Modified: | 2011-11-07 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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