Evidence of a hydrological connection between the ice divide and ice sheet margin in the Aurora Subglacial Basin, East Antarctica

Subglacial hydrology in East Antarctica is poorly understood, yet may be critical tothe manner in which ice flows. Data from a new regional airborne geophysical survey(ICECAP) have transformed our understanding of the topography and glaciologyassociated with the 287,000 km2 Aurora Subglacial Basin i...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface
Main Authors: Wright, AP, Young, DA, Roberts, JL, Schroeder, DM, Bamber, JL, Dowdeswell, JA, Young, NW, Le Brocq, AM, Warner, RC, Payne, AJ, Blankenship, DD, van Ommen, TD, Siegert, MJ
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Amer Geophysical Union 2012
Subjects:
Earth Sciences
Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience
Glaciology
East Antarctica
Totten Glacier
Antarc*
Antarctica
Antarctica Journal
Ice Sheet
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2011JF002066
http://ecite.utas.edu.au/77439
Description
Summary:Subglacial hydrology in East Antarctica is poorly understood, yet may be critical tothe manner in which ice flows. Data from a new regional airborne geophysical survey(ICECAP) have transformed our understanding of the topography and glaciologyassociated with the 287,000 km2 Aurora Subglacial Basin in East Antarctica. Using thesedata, in conjunction with numerical ice sheet modeling, we present a suite of analysesthat demonstrate the potential of the 1000 km-long basin as a route for subglacial waterdrainage from the ice sheet interior to the ice sheet margin. We present results fromour analysis of basal topography, bed roughness and radar power reflectance and from ourmodeling of ice sheet flow and basal ice temperatures. Although no clear-cut subglaciallakes are found within the Aurora Basin itself, dozens of lake-like reflectors are observedthat, in conjunction with other results reported here, support the hypothesis that thebasin acts as a pathway allowing discharge from subglacial lakes near the Dome C icedivide to reach the coast via the Totten Glacier.

Similar Items