Rock glacier surface motion in Beacon Valley, Antarctica, from synthetic-aperture radar interferometry

Physics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

6

Hydrology: Glaciology (1863), Hydrology: Geomorphology (1625), Global Change: Solid Earth, Radio Science: Interferometry

Scientific paper

We present radar interferograms of rock glaciers in the Beacon Valley sector of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, in East Antarctica, as part of a comprehensive study of surface processes in the area. Due to the relative absence of net precipitation (snow) in this region and the stability of the surface, the rock glaciers maintain excellent coherence of the radar returns over several years. As a result, we obtain a spatially continuous surface velocity field with a precision of fractions of a millimeter per year. On distinct rock glaciers entering Beacon Valley, we find coherent velocity patterns, with peak velocities approaching 40 mm per year. The ice supply from these rock glaciers nourishes the central portion of Beacon Valley, where velocities are found to be vanishingly small, and partly compensates for mass losses induced by sublimation. This analysis is consistent with the tantalizing notion that Beacon Valley ice is the oldest on Earth.

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

Rock glacier surface motion in Beacon Valley, Antarctica, from synthetic-aperture radar interferometry 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 Rock glacier surface motion in Beacon Valley, Antarctica, from synthetic-aperture radar interferometry, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Rock glacier surface motion in Beacon Valley, Antarctica, from synthetic-aperture radar interferometry will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1212484

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