A history of spatial sciences on the Amery Ice Shelf, East Antarctica

• Main Authors: Janssen, V, Hurd, R
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: Spatial Sciences Institute 2007
• Subjects: Engineering; Geomatic Engineering; Surveying (incl. Hydrographic Surveying); Amery; Amery Ice Shelf; Antarctic; East Antarctica; The Antarctic; Antarc*; Antarctica; Ice Shelf
• Online Access: http://www.ssc2007.com/; http://ecite.utas.edu.au/48414

The Antarctic climate system involves many complex interactions between theatmosphere, oceans and ice and is sensitive to variations in these components. Iceshelves represent the ice-ocean-atmosphere interface of the Antarctic continent and aretherefore very important indicators of climate change in the region. The Amery IceShelf is the largest ice shelf in East Antarctica and has been the focus of many scientificresearch projects over the past 50 years. In this paper we present a history of the use ofspatial science techniques from basic survey equipment to satellite systems inAustralian research projects based on the Amery Ice Shelf (and surrounding glaciers)since 1955. The application of these spatial data to projects primarily based in the fieldsof geodesy, glaciology, climatology, and oceanography has allowed the measurementand monitoring of the physical, dynamic and environmental characteristics of this largeand remote region. This new information provides scientists with a better understandingof the ice shelf/ocean/atmosphere system allowing future monitoring to observe theeffects of global climate change.