Historical behaviour of Dome C and Talos Dome (East Antarctica) as investigated by snow accumulation and ice velocity measurements

Abstract Ice divide–dome behaviour is used for ice sheet mass balance studies and interpretation of ice core records. In order to characterize the historical behaviour (last 400 yr) of Dome C and Talos Dome (East Antarctica), ice velocities have been measured since 1996 using a GPS system, and the p...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Global and Planetary Change
Main Authors: Stefano Urbini, Massimo Frezzotti, Christian Vincent, Claudio Scarchilli, Michel Fily, GANDOLFI, STEFANO, VITTUARI, LUCA
Other Authors: Stefano Gandolfi, Luca Vittuari
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: 2008
Subjects:
TALOS DOME EAST ANTARCTICA
GPS GPR SURVEY
ICE DIVIDE
SNOW ACCUMULATION
DOME C
East Antarctica
Talos Dome
Antarc*
Antarctica
ice core
Ice Sheet
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/11585/50526
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloplacha.2007.08.002
Description
Summary:Abstract Ice divide–dome behaviour is used for ice sheet mass balance studies and interpretation of ice core records. In order to characterize the historical behaviour (last 400 yr) of Dome C and Talos Dome (East Antarctica), ice velocities have been measured since 1996 using a GPS system, and the palaeo-spatial variability of snow accumulation has been surveyed using snow radar and firn cores. The snow accumulation distribution of both domes indicates distributions of accumulation that are non-symmetrical in relation to dome morphology. Changes in spatial distributions have been observed over the last few centuries, with a decrease in snow accumulation gradient along the wind direction at Talos Dome and a counter-clockwise rotation of accumulation distribution in the northern part of Dome C. Observations at Dome C reveal a significant increase in accumulation since the 1950s, which could correlate to altered snow accumulation patterns due to changes in snowfall trajectory. Snow accumulation mechanisms are different at the two domes: a wind-driven snow accumulation process operates at Talos Dome, whereas snowfall trajectory direction is the main factor at Dome C. Repeated GPS measurements made at Talos Dome have highlighted changes in ice velocity, with a deceleration in the NE portion, acceleration in the SW portion and migration of dome summit, which are apparently correlated with changes in accumulation distribution. The observed behaviour in accumulation and velocity indicates that even the most remote areas of East Antarctica have changed from a decadal to secular scale.

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