Evolution of the East Antarctic ice sheet : a record from the seismic stratigraphy of the C-19 site, Ross Sea, Antarctica

• Main Author: Viator, Howard Preston.
• Other Authors: Bartek, Louis Robert.;
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library 2009
• Subjects: Antarctic; Ross Sea; East Antarctic Ice Sheet; Ross Ice Shelf; Antarc*; Antarctica; Ice Sheet; Ice Shelf; Iceberg*
• Online Access: http://dc.lib.unc.edu/u?/etd,2222

Nearly 1000 km of high-resolution single-channel seismic (SCS) reflection data and 1000 km of multi-channel seismic (MCS) data were acquired in the Ross Sea, Antarctica where a large iceberg, C-19, calved from the Ross Ice Shelf in May of 2002. This data set offers a unique opportunity to use a closely spaced grid of high-resolution seismic profiles to examine the glacial history of the continental shelf in an up-dip location, where older strata are closer to the surface. Two major grounding events are evident in the stratigraphic record; the first one representing the initial advance of ice onto the continental shelf during the early Miocene. During the Oligocene, prior to the onset of widespread glaciation from the East Antarctic Ice Shelf on the continental shelf, this area experienced multiple cycles (at least 10) of ice sheet advance/retreat representing an ice sheet that is approaching but not reaching the C-19 site.