Formation of mega-scale glacial lineations observed beneath a West Antarctic ice stream

King, Edward C. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3793-3915; Hindmarsh, Richard C.A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1633-2416; Stokes, C. R.. 2009 Formation of mega-scale glacial lineations observed beneath a West Antarctic ice stream. Nature Geoscience, 2 (8). 585-588. 10.1038/NGEO581

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Abstract/Summary

Most discharge from large ice sheets takes place through fast-flowing ice streams and their speed is strongly modulated by interactions between the ice and the underlying sediments. Seismic surveys and investigations through boreholes have revealed a spatial association between fast ice flow and saturated deformable sediments. Nevertheless, our knowledge of the morphology of the interface between ice and sediments is still limited, resulting in only rudimentary understanding of the basal boundary conditions beneath ice streams and the generation of subglacial bedforms. Here we present radar data from the bed of a West Antarctic ice stream that reveal the presence of mega-scale glacial lineations. We combine these data with previously published seismic data and show that these lineations develop in areas of dilatant deforming till and are part of a dynamic sedimentary system that undergoes significant change by erosion and deposition on decadal timescales. We find that the mega-scale glacial lineations are indistinguishable from those found on beds of palaeo-ice streams, providing conclusive evidence for the hypothesis that highly elongate bedforms are a characteristic of fast-flow regions in ice sheets.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1038/NGEO581
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Global Science in the Antarctic Context (2005-2009) > Glacial Retreat in Antarctica and Deglaciation of the Earth System
ISSN:	1752-0894
NORA Subject Terms:	Glaciology Earth Sciences
Date made live:	04 Nov 2010 14:08 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/11107

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1038/NGEO581

Programmes:

BAS Programmes > Global Science in the Antarctic Context (2005-2009) > Glacial Retreat in Antarctica and Deglaciation of the Earth System

ISSN:

1752-0894

NORA Subject Terms:

Glaciology
Earth Sciences

Date made live:

04 Nov 2010 14:08 +0 (UTC)