Sub-glacial lakes in Antarctica
For over 30 years the presence of subglacial lakes under the East Antarctic ice sheet wete only surmised. The first documented lecord is probably from a senior aviation navigator with the Soviet Antarctic Expedition Of 1959 who noted the existence Of shallow snow surface depressions near to the Vost...
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University of Canterbury
2001
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ftunivcanter:oai:ir.canterbury.ac.nz:10092/14052 2023-05-15T13:59:52+02:00 Sub-glacial lakes in Antarctica Pilkington, Stephen 2001 application/pdf http://hdl.handle.net/10092/14052 English en eng University of Canterbury http://hdl.handle.net/10092/14052 All Rights Reserved Theses / Dissertations 2001 ftunivcanter 2022-09-08T13:43:29Z For over 30 years the presence of subglacial lakes under the East Antarctic ice sheet wete only surmised. The first documented lecord is probably from a senior aviation navigator with the Soviet Antarctic Expedition Of 1959 who noted the existence Of shallow snow surface depressions near to the Vostok Station (780288, 106048'E), which he likened to "lakes" (Robinson 1960). He observed the surface manifestations of the deeply buried lakes, which remain level and smooth because there is no friction between the bottom of the ice sheet and the lake water. In contrast, the surrounding aæa.s have a mugh and tilted surface because of the friction between the ice and bedmck on either side. The significance of this was not appleciated at the time. In 1963-1964, members of the 9th Soviet Antarctic Expedition, studying the thickness of the ice sheet, collected seismic traces adjacent to Vostok (Kapitsa 1998). Seismic surveying involves placing the seismic source (an explosive charge) and sensing apparatus (seismometers) 30m or so deep into the dense glacial ice. The explosion and resultant echo from below ale timed, and indicate the depth of ice to bedrock. Again, scientists at the time failed to recognise the subtle indications of a deeply buried body of water. During the late 1960's and 1970's detailed VHF radio echo soundings wele taken of the ice sheet. By sending VHF radio waves down into the ice, where they reflect off layers of contrasting electrical properties, the thickness of the ice can be obtained. By plotting the consecutive radar pulses obtained by moving horizontally, glaciologists can generate a picture of the ice sheet in cross section (Figure I). The advantage of radar is that it can be mounted on aircraft and information For over 30 years the presence of subglacial lakes under the East Antarctic ice sheet wete only surmised. The first documented lecord is probably from a senior aviation navigator with the Soviet Antarctic Expedition Of 1959 who noted the existence Of shallow snow surface depressions near ... Other/Unknown Material Antarc* Antarctic Antarctica Ice Sheet University of Canterbury, Christchurch: UC Research Repository Antarctic East Antarctic Ice Sheet Vostok Station ENVELOPE(106.837,106.837,-78.464,-78.464) |
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Open Polar |
collection |
University of Canterbury, Christchurch: UC Research Repository |
op_collection_id |
ftunivcanter |
language |
English |
description |
For over 30 years the presence of subglacial lakes under the East Antarctic ice sheet wete only surmised. The first documented lecord is probably from a senior aviation navigator with the Soviet Antarctic Expedition Of 1959 who noted the existence Of shallow snow surface depressions near to the Vostok Station (780288, 106048'E), which he likened to "lakes" (Robinson 1960). He observed the surface manifestations of the deeply buried lakes, which remain level and smooth because there is no friction between the bottom of the ice sheet and the lake water. In contrast, the surrounding aæa.s have a mugh and tilted surface because of the friction between the ice and bedmck on either side. The significance of this was not appleciated at the time. In 1963-1964, members of the 9th Soviet Antarctic Expedition, studying the thickness of the ice sheet, collected seismic traces adjacent to Vostok (Kapitsa 1998). Seismic surveying involves placing the seismic source (an explosive charge) and sensing apparatus (seismometers) 30m or so deep into the dense glacial ice. The explosion and resultant echo from below ale timed, and indicate the depth of ice to bedrock. Again, scientists at the time failed to recognise the subtle indications of a deeply buried body of water. During the late 1960's and 1970's detailed VHF radio echo soundings wele taken of the ice sheet. By sending VHF radio waves down into the ice, where they reflect off layers of contrasting electrical properties, the thickness of the ice can be obtained. By plotting the consecutive radar pulses obtained by moving horizontally, glaciologists can generate a picture of the ice sheet in cross section (Figure I). The advantage of radar is that it can be mounted on aircraft and information For over 30 years the presence of subglacial lakes under the East Antarctic ice sheet wete only surmised. The first documented lecord is probably from a senior aviation navigator with the Soviet Antarctic Expedition Of 1959 who noted the existence Of shallow snow surface depressions near ... |
format |
Other/Unknown Material |
author |
Pilkington, Stephen |
spellingShingle |
Pilkington, Stephen Sub-glacial lakes in Antarctica |
author_facet |
Pilkington, Stephen |
author_sort |
Pilkington, Stephen |
title |
Sub-glacial lakes in Antarctica |
title_short |
Sub-glacial lakes in Antarctica |
title_full |
Sub-glacial lakes in Antarctica |
title_fullStr |
Sub-glacial lakes in Antarctica |
title_full_unstemmed |
Sub-glacial lakes in Antarctica |
title_sort |
sub-glacial lakes in antarctica |
publisher |
University of Canterbury |
publishDate |
2001 |
url |
http://hdl.handle.net/10092/14052 |
long_lat |
ENVELOPE(106.837,106.837,-78.464,-78.464) |
geographic |
Antarctic East Antarctic Ice Sheet Vostok Station |
geographic_facet |
Antarctic East Antarctic Ice Sheet Vostok Station |
genre |
Antarc* Antarctic Antarctica Ice Sheet |
genre_facet |
Antarc* Antarctic Antarctica Ice Sheet |
op_relation |
http://hdl.handle.net/10092/14052 |
op_rights |
All Rights Reserved |
_version_ |
1766268788151418880 |