Positive Mass Balance of the Ross Ice Streams, West Antarctica

• Published in: Science
• Main Authors: Joughin, Ian, Tulaczyk, Slawek
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) 2002
• Subjects: West Antarctica; Whillans; Whillans Ice Stream; Antarc*; Antarctica; Ice Sheet; Ice Stream C
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1066875; https://www.science.org/doi/pdf/10.1126/science.1066875

We have used ice-flow velocity measurements from synthetic aperture radar to reassess the mass balance of the Ross Ice Streams, West Antarctica. We find strong evidence for ice-sheet growth (+26.8 gigatons per year), in contrast to earlier estimates indicating a mass deficit (−20.9 gigatons per year). Average thickening is equal to ∼25% of the accumulation rate, with most of this growth occurring on Ice Stream C. Whillans Ice Stream, which was thought to have a significantly negative mass balance, is close to balance, reflecting its continuing slowdown. The overall positive mass balance may signal an end to the Holocene retreat of these ice streams.