AVHRR imagery reveals Antarctic ice dynamics

• Main Authors: Bindschadler, Robert A., Vornberger, Patricia L.
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: unknown
• Published: 1990
• Subjects: 46; Antarctic; Ross Ice Shelf; West Antarctic Ice Sheet; Antarc*; Antarctica; Ice Sheet; Ice Shelf
• Online Access: http://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19920045032

A portion of AVHRR data taken on December 5, 1987 at 06:15 GMT over a part of Antarctica is used here to show that many of the most significant dynamic features of ice sheets can be identified by a careful examination of AVHRR imagery. The relatively low resolution of this instrument makes it ideal for obtaining a broad view of the ice sheets, while its wide swath allows coverage of areas beyond the reach of high-resolution imagers either currently in orbit or planned. An interpretation is given of the present data, which cover the area of ice streams that drain the interior of the West Antarctic ice sheet into the Ross Ice Shelf.