Surging of Fisher Glacier, Eastern Antarctica: Evidence From Geomorphology

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Author: Wellman, Peter
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1982
• Subjects: Earth-Surface Processes; Amery; Amery Ice Shelf; Prince Charles Mountains; Lambert Glacier; Fisher Glacier; Antarc*; Antarctica; Ice Shelf; Journal of Glaciology
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000011758; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000011758

Abstract A study of the geomorphology of the Prince Charles Mountains using colour vertical air photographs shows well–preserved old moraines throughout much of the outcrop area. Along Fisher Glacier, lower Lambert Glacier and the Amery Ice Shelf, within the altitude range 50–2 000 m, the old moraines show that the ice level had risen 150–200 m above the present level at least three times. Old moraines elsewhere show that none of the other glaciers had risen significantly in their upper parts; the rise of their lower parts was caused by the rise of lower Lambert Glacier and the Amery Ice Shelf. The changes in ice level are unlikely to be due to climatic change because this would not repeatedly affect only one glacier draining central Antarctica. It is thought that the changes in ice level are caused by repeated surges of Fisher Glacier.