Recent ice dynamic and surface mass balance of Union Glacier in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet
Here we present the results of a comprehensive glaciological investigation of Union Glacier (79°46' S/83°24' W) in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS), a major outlet glacier within the Ellsworth Mountains. Union Glacier flows into the Ronne Ice Shelf, where recent models have indicated th...
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ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:5870645678d3443fb032f0b58e00f5ef 2023-05-15T13:38:23+02:00 Recent ice dynamic and surface mass balance of Union Glacier in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet A. Rivera R. Zamora J. A. Uribe R. Jaña J. Oberreuter 2014-08-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-8-1445-2014 https://doaj.org/article/5870645678d3443fb032f0b58e00f5ef EN eng Copernicus Publications http://www.the-cryosphere.net/8/1445/2014/tc-8-1445-2014.pdf https://doaj.org/toc/1994-0416 https://doaj.org/toc/1994-0424 1994-0416 1994-0424 doi:10.5194/tc-8-1445-2014 https://doaj.org/article/5870645678d3443fb032f0b58e00f5ef The Cryosphere, Vol 8, Iss 4, Pp 1445-1456 (2014) Environmental sciences GE1-350 Geology QE1-996.5 article 2014 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-8-1445-2014 2022-12-31T03:53:47Z Here we present the results of a comprehensive glaciological investigation of Union Glacier (79°46' S/83°24' W) in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS), a major outlet glacier within the Ellsworth Mountains. Union Glacier flows into the Ronne Ice Shelf, where recent models have indicated the potential for significant grounding line zone (GLZ) migrations in response to changing climate and ocean conditions. To elaborate a glaciological base line that can help to evaluate the potential impact of this GLZ change scenario, we installed an array of stakes on Union Glacier in 2007. The stake network has been surveyed repeatedly for elevation, velocity, and net surface mass balance. The region of the stake measurements is in near-equilibrium, and ice speeds are 10 to 33 m a −1 . Ground-penetrating radars (GPR) have been used to map the subglacial topography, internal structure, and crevasse frequency and depth along surveyed tracks in the stake site area. The bedrock in this area has a minimum elevation of −858 m a.s.l., significantly deeper than shown by BEDMAP2 data. However, between this deeper area and the local GLZ, there is a threshold where the subglacial topography shows a maximum altitude of 190 m. This subglacial condition implies that an upstream migration of the GLZ will not have strong effects on Union Glacier until it passes beyond this shallow ice pinning point. Article in Journal/Newspaper Antarc* Antarctic Ice Sheet Ice Shelf Ronne Ice Shelf The Cryosphere Union Glacier Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles Antarctic West Antarctic Ice Sheet Ronne Ice Shelf ENVELOPE(-61.000,-61.000,-78.500,-78.500) Ellsworth Mountains ENVELOPE(-85.000,-85.000,-78.750,-78.750) Union Glacier ENVELOPE(-82.500,-82.500,-79.750,-79.750) The Cryosphere 8 4 1445 1456 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
op_collection_id |
ftdoajarticles |
language |
English |
topic |
Environmental sciences GE1-350 Geology QE1-996.5 |
spellingShingle |
Environmental sciences GE1-350 Geology QE1-996.5 A. Rivera R. Zamora J. A. Uribe R. Jaña J. Oberreuter Recent ice dynamic and surface mass balance of Union Glacier in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet |
topic_facet |
Environmental sciences GE1-350 Geology QE1-996.5 |
description |
Here we present the results of a comprehensive glaciological investigation of Union Glacier (79°46' S/83°24' W) in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS), a major outlet glacier within the Ellsworth Mountains. Union Glacier flows into the Ronne Ice Shelf, where recent models have indicated the potential for significant grounding line zone (GLZ) migrations in response to changing climate and ocean conditions. To elaborate a glaciological base line that can help to evaluate the potential impact of this GLZ change scenario, we installed an array of stakes on Union Glacier in 2007. The stake network has been surveyed repeatedly for elevation, velocity, and net surface mass balance. The region of the stake measurements is in near-equilibrium, and ice speeds are 10 to 33 m a −1 . Ground-penetrating radars (GPR) have been used to map the subglacial topography, internal structure, and crevasse frequency and depth along surveyed tracks in the stake site area. The bedrock in this area has a minimum elevation of −858 m a.s.l., significantly deeper than shown by BEDMAP2 data. However, between this deeper area and the local GLZ, there is a threshold where the subglacial topography shows a maximum altitude of 190 m. This subglacial condition implies that an upstream migration of the GLZ will not have strong effects on Union Glacier until it passes beyond this shallow ice pinning point. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
A. Rivera R. Zamora J. A. Uribe R. Jaña J. Oberreuter |
author_facet |
A. Rivera R. Zamora J. A. Uribe R. Jaña J. Oberreuter |
author_sort |
A. Rivera |
title |
Recent ice dynamic and surface mass balance of Union Glacier in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet |
title_short |
Recent ice dynamic and surface mass balance of Union Glacier in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet |
title_full |
Recent ice dynamic and surface mass balance of Union Glacier in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet |
title_fullStr |
Recent ice dynamic and surface mass balance of Union Glacier in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet |
title_full_unstemmed |
Recent ice dynamic and surface mass balance of Union Glacier in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet |
title_sort |
recent ice dynamic and surface mass balance of union glacier in the west antarctic ice sheet |
publisher |
Copernicus Publications |
publishDate |
2014 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-8-1445-2014 https://doaj.org/article/5870645678d3443fb032f0b58e00f5ef |
long_lat |
ENVELOPE(-61.000,-61.000,-78.500,-78.500) ENVELOPE(-85.000,-85.000,-78.750,-78.750) ENVELOPE(-82.500,-82.500,-79.750,-79.750) |
geographic |
Antarctic West Antarctic Ice Sheet Ronne Ice Shelf Ellsworth Mountains Union Glacier |
geographic_facet |
Antarctic West Antarctic Ice Sheet Ronne Ice Shelf Ellsworth Mountains Union Glacier |
genre |
Antarc* Antarctic Ice Sheet Ice Shelf Ronne Ice Shelf The Cryosphere Union Glacier |
genre_facet |
Antarc* Antarctic Ice Sheet Ice Shelf Ronne Ice Shelf The Cryosphere Union Glacier |
op_source |
The Cryosphere, Vol 8, Iss 4, Pp 1445-1456 (2014) |
op_relation |
http://www.the-cryosphere.net/8/1445/2014/tc-8-1445-2014.pdf https://doaj.org/toc/1994-0416 https://doaj.org/toc/1994-0424 1994-0416 1994-0424 doi:10.5194/tc-8-1445-2014 https://doaj.org/article/5870645678d3443fb032f0b58e00f5ef |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-8-1445-2014 |
container_title |
The Cryosphere |
container_volume |
8 |
container_issue |
4 |
container_start_page |
1445 |
op_container_end_page |
1456 |
_version_ |
1766105287546109952 |