Combining satellite altimetry and gravimetry data to improve Antarctic mass balance and gia estimates

• Main Authors: Gunter, B.C. (author), Didova, O. (author), Riva, R.E.M. (author), van den Broeke, M.R. (author), Ligtenberg, S.R.M. (author), Lenaerts, J.T.M. (author), King, M. (author), Urban, T. (author)
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: European Space Agency (ESA) 2012
• Subjects: Amundsen Sea; Antarctic; East Antarctica; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:c3354573-09ba-4020-b095-8fe8a863966d

This study explores an approach that simultaneously estimates Antarctic mass balance and glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) through the combination of satellite gravity and altimetry data sets. The results improve upon previous efforts by incorporating reprocessed data sets over a longer period of time, and now include a firn densification model to convert the altimetry volume estimates into mass. When the GIA models created from the combination approach were compared to insitu GPS ground station displacements, the vertical rates estimated showed good agreement after a systematic bias was removed from the computed GIA models. The new models suggest the potential for GIA uplift in the Amundsen Sea Sector, as well as the possible subsidence in large parts of East Antarctica. Geoscience & Remote Sensing Civil Engineering and Geosciences