Evolution of surface velocities and ice discharge of Larsen B outlet glaciers from 1995 to 2013

Wuite, J.; Rott, H.; Hetzenecker, M.; Floricioiu, D.; De Rydt, J.; Gudmundsson, G.H. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4236-5369; Nagler, T.; Kern, M.. 2015 Evolution of surface velocities and ice discharge of Larsen B outlet glaciers from 1995 to 2013. The Cryosphere, 9. 957-969. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-957-2015

Before downloading, please read NORA policies.

Preview

Text
tc-9-957-2015.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.
Download (10MB) | Preview

Abstract/Summary

We use repeat-pass SAR data to produce detailed maps of surface motion covering the glaciers draining into the former Larsen B ice shelf, Antarctic Peninsula, for different epochs between 1995 and 2013. We combine the velocity maps with estimates of ice thickness to analyze fluctuations of ice discharge. The collapse of the central and northern sections of the ice shelf in 2002 led to a near-immediate acceleration of tributary glaciers as well as of the remnant ice shelf in Scar Inlet. Velocities of the glaciers discharging directly into the ocean remain to date well above the velocities of the pre-collapse period. The response of individual glaciers differs and velocities show significant temporal fluctuations, implying major variations in ice discharge and mass balance as well. Due to reduced velocity and ice thickness the ice discharge of Crane Glacier decreased from 5.02 Gt a−1 in 2007 to 1.72 Gt a−1 in 2013, whereas Hektoria and Green glaciers continue to show large temporal fluctuations in response to successive stages of frontal retreat. The velocity on Scar Inlet ice shelf increased two- to three fold since 1995, with the largest increase in the first years after the break-up of the main section of Larsen B. Flask and Leppard glaciers, the largest tributaries to Scar Inlet ice shelf, accelerated. In 2013 their discharge was 38% and 46%, higher than in 1995.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-957-2015
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Polar Science for Planet Earth (2009 - ) > Ice Sheets
ISSN:	1994-0440
Date made live:	20 Jan 2015 14:57 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/509448

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-957-2015

Programmes:

BAS Programmes > Polar Science for Planet Earth (2009 - ) > Ice Sheets

ISSN:

1994-0440

Date made live:

20 Jan 2015 14:57 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/509448