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

• 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

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.