An inventory of Antarctic sub-glacial lakes

• Published in: Antarctic Science
• Main Authors: Siegert, M.J., Dowdeswell, J.A., Gorman, M.R., McIntyre, N.F.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1996
• Subjects: Antarc*; Antarctic; Antarctic Science; Antarctica; East Antarctica; Ice Sheet; Scott Polar Research Institute
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0954102096000405; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0954102096000405

An extensive analogue database of 60 MHz radio-echo sounding records of Antarctica (covering 50% of the ice sheet) is held at the Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge. This database was analysed in order to determine the presence and location of Antarctic sub-glacial lakes. In total, 77 sub-glacial lake-type records were identified, 13 more than detected in previous studies. An inventory of these sub-glacial lakes includes geographical coordinates, minimum length and overlying ice thickness for each lake. Information concerning the location of these lakes indicates that the majority (~70%) are found in the proximity of ice divides at Dome C and Ridge B within East Antarctica.