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Evidence of a hydrological connection between the ice divide and ice sheet margin in the Aurora Subglacial Basin, East Antarctica
Citation
Wright, AP and Young, DA and Roberts, JL and Schroeder, DM and Bamber, JL and Dowdeswell, JA and Young, NW and Le Brocq, AM and Warner, RC and Payne, AJ and Blankenship, DD and van Ommen, TD and Siegert, MJ, Evidence of a hydrological connection between the ice divide and ice sheet margin in the Aurora Subglacial Basin, East Antarctica, Journal of Geophysical Research, 117, (1) Article F01033. ISSN 0148-0227 (2012) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
Copyright 2012 American Geophysical Union
Abstract
Subglacial hydrology in East Antarctica is poorly understood, yet may be critical to
the manner in which ice flows. Data from a new regional airborne geophysical survey
(ICECAP) have transformed our understanding of the topography and glaciology
associated with the 287,000 km2 Aurora Subglacial Basin in East Antarctica. Using these
data, in conjunction with numerical ice sheet modeling, we present a suite of analyses
that demonstrate the potential of the 1000 km-long basin as a route for subglacial water
drainage from the ice sheet interior to the ice sheet margin. We present results from
our analysis of basal topography, bed roughness and radar power reflectance and from our
modeling of ice sheet flow and basal ice temperatures. Although no clear-cut subglacial
lakes are found within the Aurora Basin itself, dozens of lake-like reflectors are observed
that, in conjunction with other results reported here, support the hypothesis that the
basin acts as a pathway allowing discharge from subglacial lakes near the Dome C ice
divide to reach the coast via the Totten Glacier.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | Antarctica, subglacial hydrology |
| Research Division: | Earth Sciences |
| Research Group: | Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience |
| Research Field: | Glaciology |
| Objective Division: | Environment |
| Objective Group: | Climate and Climate Change |
| Objective Field: | Climate and Climate Change not elsewhere classified |
| Author: | Roberts, JL (Dr Jason Roberts) |
| Author: | Young, NW (Mr Neal Young) |
| Author: | Warner, RC (Dr Roland Warner) |
| Author: | van Ommen, TD (Dr Tas van Ommen) |
| ID Code: | 77439 |
| Year Published: | 2012 |
| Web of Science® Times Cited: | 29 |
| Deposited By: | CRC-Antarctic Climate & Ecosystems |
| Deposited On: | 2012-04-16 |
| Last Modified: | 2013-04-26 |
| Downloads: | 1 View Download Statistics |
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