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Ice flow modulated by tides at up to annual periods at Rutford Ice Stream, West Antarctica

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 15:20 authored by Murray, T, Smith, AM, Matt KingMatt King, Weedon, GP
For over 2-years we have collected GPS data ∼40 km upstream of the grounding line on Rutford Ice Stream, West Antarctica. Here we examine deviations from mean downstream flow. Although the record is incomplete during winter, there is clear modulation of flow at semi-diurnal, diurnal, two-weekly, semi-annual, and annual ocean tidal frequencies. This is the first observation of ice stream flow variations over such a long time-period, and such a wide range of frequencies. The ice stream flows fastest at equinoxes when there are two semi-diurnal tides of equal magnitude, and slowest at solstices when one of the semi-diurnal tides has lower amplitude. The sensitivity of the downstream flow is greatest to the long-period forcing, which suggests that ice stream velocity may be affected by future changes in sea level. If so, this effect would provide a feedback whereby rising sea levels could increase ice stream velocity and hence discharge. Copyright 2007 by the American Geophysical Union.

History

Publication title

Geophysical Research Letters

Volume

34

Issue

18

ISSN

0094-8276

Department/School

School of Geography, Planning and Spatial Sciences

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in the earth sciences