The Changing Extent of the Glaciers Along the Western Ross Sea, Antarctica

• Published in: Geology
• Main Authors: Fountain, Andrew G., Glenn, Bryce, Scambos, Ted A.
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: PDXScholar 2017
• Subjects: Geology; Antarctic; Antarctic Peninsula; Ross Sea; The Antarctic; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/geology_fac/126; https://doi.org/10.1130/G39240.1

We examine the change in terminus positions of glaciers flowing into the western Ross Sea, Antarctica, between 71°S and 78°S as a proxy for changes in snowfall and/or summer air temperature. This coastline's major glaciers terminate in ice tongues, which are particularly sensitive to changes in flow rate and calving. Using historic maps and satellite imagery spanning 60 yr (A.D. 1955-2015), the terminus positions, ice speed, calving rates, and ice front advance and retreat rates for 34 glaciers are documented. Additionally, changes in regional ice flow speed from 2008 to 2014 are examined. No significant spatial or temporal patterns of terminus position, flow speed, or calving emerged, implying that the conditions associated with ice tongue stability are unchanged. A weak trend of advance may be present in the northernmost part of the coast, consistent with estimates of increased snow accumulation and glacier mass balance in that region. The stability of these glaciers over the past half century contrasts sharply with the rapidly shrinking glaciers of the Antarctic Peninsula and suggests that no significant climate change, as manifest in glacier change, has reached this region of Antarctica. The changing extent of the glaciers along the western Ross Sea, Antarctica.