Application of Radio-Echo Sounding Internal Layers to Ice-Sheet Modeling

• Main Authors: Beckley, M, Wang, W, Siegert, MJ, Morgan, V, Zwally, J
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2004
• Subjects: Antarctic; Greenland; Antarc*; Ice Sheet
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1983/4f5ebe02-ed30-4e73-bc34-156687f9430c; https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/en/publications/4f5ebe02-ed30-4e73-bc34-156687f9430c

In recent years, ice-sheet internal layers derived from radio-echo sounding measurements are of particular interest to glaciologists because the layers are believed to contain information on ice flow and Paleoclimate records. Internal layers are considered to represent isochrones and can be dated by combining them with the associated ice cores where the age-depth relationships are known. The dated internal layers then can be used in ice-sheet modelling for model verification or model control. Here, we present the results from ice flow modelling by using dated internal layers in several regions of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets. Comparison of the dated internal layers with the isochrones calculated from a steady-state model is used to appraise the stability of the local ice-sheet flow, and to show the importance of ice rheology and stress configurations considered in the model. Using dated internal layers as the model control, ice flow is simulated by adjusting calculations so that the modeled isochrones match the dated layers. Our results also include using the internal layers to reconstruct the historic ice-sheet accumulation rates and thickness change. In recent years, ice-sheet internal layers derived from radio-echo sounding measurements are of particular interest to glaciologists because the layers are believed to contain information on ice flow and Paleoclimate records. Internal layers are considered to represent isochrones and can be dated by combining them with the associated ice cores where the age-depth relationships are known. The dated internal layers then can be used in ice-sheet modelling for model verification or model control. Here, we present the results from ice flow modelling by using dated internal layers in several regions of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets. Comparison of the dated internal layers with the isochrones calculated from a steady-state model is used to appraise the stability of the local ice-sheet flow, and to show the importance of ice rheology and stress configurations considered in the model. Using dated internal layers as the model control, ice flow is simulated by adjusting calculations so that the modeled isochrones match the dated layers. Our results also include using the internal layers to reconstruct the historic ice-sheet accumulation rates and thickness change.