Spatial and temporal patterns in snow accumulation, western Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Authors: Isaksson, Elisabeth, Karlén, Wibjörn
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1994
• Subjects: Earth-Surface Processes; Antarctic; Dronning Maud Land; Riiser-Larsenisen; Antarc*; Antarctica; Ice Shelf; Journal of Glaciology
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000007486; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000007486

Abstract During the Swedish Antarctic Expedition to Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica, 1988–89 the net accumulation was estimated for an area from the coast to about 400 km inland. Stake measurements were used to obtain the spatial variability and firn cores were used for the temporal variability. The mean annual accumulation for the period 1976–88 is about 0.4mw.e. for Riiser-Larsenisen and about 0.3mw.e. for the area above the grounding line. The accumulation rate at higher altitudes, > 2500 m a.s.1., is about 0.1 m w.e. for 1955–88. One record from the ice shelf covers the period 1957–88, and suggests an increase in accumulation of about 12%. Between 1976 and 1988, the accumulation has decreased by about 50%, most likely due to lower temperatures as suggested by the temperature record from Halley.