Recent ice dynamic and surface mass balance of Union Glacier in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet
Here we present the results of a comprehensive glaciological investigation of Union Glacier (79°46' S/83°24' W) in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS), a major outlet glacier within the Ellsworth Mountains. Union Glacier flows into the Ronne Ice Shelf, where recent models have indicated th...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2014-08-01
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| Series: | The Cryosphere |
| Online Access: | http://www.the-cryosphere.net/8/1445/2014/tc-8-1445-2014.pdf |
| _version_ | 1818310947230449664 |
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| author | A. Rivera R. Zamora J. A. Uribe R. Jaña J. Oberreuter |
| author_facet | A. Rivera R. Zamora J. A. Uribe R. Jaña J. Oberreuter |
| author_sort | A. Rivera |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Here we present the results of a comprehensive glaciological investigation of
Union Glacier (79°46' S/83°24' W) in the West
Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS), a major outlet glacier within the Ellsworth
Mountains. Union Glacier flows into the Ronne Ice Shelf, where recent models
have indicated the potential for significant grounding line zone (GLZ)
migrations in response to changing climate and ocean conditions. To elaborate
a glaciological base line that can help to evaluate the potential impact of
this GLZ change scenario, we installed an array of stakes on Union Glacier in
2007. The stake network has been surveyed repeatedly for elevation, velocity,
and net surface mass balance. The region of the stake measurements is in
near-equilibrium, and ice speeds are 10 to 33 m a<sup>−1</sup>.
Ground-penetrating radars (GPR) have been used to map the
subglacial
topography, internal structure, and crevasse frequency and depth along
surveyed tracks in the stake site area. The bedrock in this area has a
minimum elevation of −858 m a.s.l., significantly deeper than shown by
BEDMAP2 data. However, between this deeper area and the local GLZ, there is a
threshold where the subglacial topography shows a maximum altitude of 190 m.
This subglacial condition implies that an upstream migration of the GLZ will
not have strong effects on Union Glacier until it passes beyond this shallow
ice pinning point. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T07:54:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5870645678d3443fb032f0b58e00f5ef |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1994-0416 1994-0424 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T07:54:09Z |
| publishDate | 2014-08-01 |
| publisher | Copernicus Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | The Cryosphere |
| spelling | doaj.art-5870645678d3443fb032f0b58e00f5ef2022-12-21T23:54:35ZengCopernicus PublicationsThe Cryosphere1994-04161994-04242014-08-01841445145610.5194/tc-8-1445-2014Recent ice dynamic and surface mass balance of Union Glacier in the West Antarctic Ice SheetA. Rivera0R. Zamora1J. A. Uribe2R. Jaña3J. Oberreuter4Centro de Estudios Científicos, P.O. Box 5110466, Valdivia, ChileCentro de Estudios Científicos, P.O. Box 5110466, Valdivia, ChileCentro de Estudios Científicos, P.O. Box 5110466, Valdivia, ChileInstituto Antártico Chileno, Punta Arenas, ChileCentro de Estudios Científicos, P.O. Box 5110466, Valdivia, ChileHere we present the results of a comprehensive glaciological investigation of Union Glacier (79°46' S/83°24' W) in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS), a major outlet glacier within the Ellsworth Mountains. Union Glacier flows into the Ronne Ice Shelf, where recent models have indicated the potential for significant grounding line zone (GLZ) migrations in response to changing climate and ocean conditions. To elaborate a glaciological base line that can help to evaluate the potential impact of this GLZ change scenario, we installed an array of stakes on Union Glacier in 2007. The stake network has been surveyed repeatedly for elevation, velocity, and net surface mass balance. The region of the stake measurements is in near-equilibrium, and ice speeds are 10 to 33 m a<sup>−1</sup>. Ground-penetrating radars (GPR) have been used to map the subglacial topography, internal structure, and crevasse frequency and depth along surveyed tracks in the stake site area. The bedrock in this area has a minimum elevation of −858 m a.s.l., significantly deeper than shown by BEDMAP2 data. However, between this deeper area and the local GLZ, there is a threshold where the subglacial topography shows a maximum altitude of 190 m. This subglacial condition implies that an upstream migration of the GLZ will not have strong effects on Union Glacier until it passes beyond this shallow ice pinning point.http://www.the-cryosphere.net/8/1445/2014/tc-8-1445-2014.pdf |
| spellingShingle | A. Rivera R. Zamora J. A. Uribe R. Jaña J. Oberreuter Recent ice dynamic and surface mass balance of Union Glacier in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet The Cryosphere |
| title | Recent ice dynamic and surface mass balance of Union Glacier in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet |
| title_full | Recent ice dynamic and surface mass balance of Union Glacier in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet |
| title_fullStr | Recent ice dynamic and surface mass balance of Union Glacier in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet |
| title_full_unstemmed | Recent ice dynamic and surface mass balance of Union Glacier in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet |
| title_short | Recent ice dynamic and surface mass balance of Union Glacier in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet |
| title_sort | recent ice dynamic and surface mass balance of union glacier in the west antarctic ice sheet |
| url | http://www.the-cryosphere.net/8/1445/2014/tc-8-1445-2014.pdf |
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