Seismic detection of a subglacial lake near the South Pole, Antarctica

Seismic reflection data are analyzed to verify radar identification of a subglacial lake near the geographic South Pole. The seismic amplitude variation with offset (AVO) technique is applied to confirm the presence of extensive free water, and seismic imaging of the subsurface constrains lake depth...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geophysical Research Letters
Main Authors: Peters, LE, Anandakrishnan, S, Holland, CW, Horgan, HJ, Blankenship, DD, Voigt, DE
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Amer Geophysical Union 2008
Subjects:
Earth Sciences
Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience
Glaciology
Amundsen Scott South Pole Station
Amundsen-Scott
Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station
South Pole
Antarc*
Antarctica
South pole
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2008GL035704
http://ecite.utas.edu.au/103886
Description
Summary:Seismic reflection data are analyzed to verify radar identification of a subglacial lake near the geographic South Pole. The seismic amplitude variation with offset (AVO) technique is applied to confirm the presence of extensive free water, and seismic imaging of the subsurface constrains lake depth and deeper subglacial structure in the region. This lake is at least 4.2 km wide (and likely as much as 10 km in diameter), is up to 32 10 m deep, and occupies a basin of thick sedimentary strata. These results imply that extensive water storage is occurring in the South Pole region. The proximity of this lake to the Amundsen - Scott South Pole Station makes research drilling to sample the lake and underlying sediments feasible and supportable.

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