Glacial/interglacial ice-stream stability in the Weddell Sea embayment, Antarctica

Physics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

3

Antarctic Ice Sheet, Dynamic, Stable, Cosmogenic Nuclide Surface Exposure Age Dating, Last Glacial Maximum, Miocene

Scientific paper

The resilience of the Antarctic Ice Sheet and its effect on global sea level depends on the dynamics of ice streams. Antarctic ice streams are known to be responsive to changes at the ocean interface and, as expected, most have thinned in response to ocean warming and sea-level rise since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Here we provide direct and unexpected evidence that points toward the glacial/interglacial stability of the Slessor and Recovery glaciers, ice streams of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS) which merge with the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) to form the Filchner Ice Shelf in the Weddell Sea embayment. Cosmogenic-nuclide measurements in the Shackleton Range suggest that the Slessor and Recovery ice streams were not significantly thicker than today during the LGM. We hypothesise that the glaciers did not thicken because the grounding line was not able to migrate seaward beyond the deep Thiel/Crary Trough beneath the Filchner Ice Shelf immediately offshore. This discovery reveals how a topographic threshold can affect the dynamics of ice streams. It also reduces uncertainties on the thickness, extent and volume of the Antarctic Ice Sheet in a large but unknown sector of the Antarctic Ice Sheet; it constrains the potential sea-level rise from Antarctica; it helps explain observed anomalies in glacio-isostatic adjustment; above all it suggests that the behaviour of the Atlantic-facing Weddell Sea sector of the WAIS contrasts with that of the Pacific-facing Ross and Amundsen Sea sectors.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Glacial/interglacial ice-stream stability in the Weddell Sea embayment, Antarctica does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Glacial/interglacial ice-stream stability in the Weddell Sea embayment, Antarctica, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Glacial/interglacial ice-stream stability in the Weddell Sea embayment, Antarctica will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-990265

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.