Subglacial Lake Ellsworth: a candidate for in situ exploration in West Antarctica

Siegert, Martin J.; Hindmarsh, Richard ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1633-2416; Corr, Hugh; Smith, Andy ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8577-482X; Woodward, John; King, Edward C. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3793-3915; Payne, Antony J.; Joughin, Ian. 2004 Subglacial Lake Ellsworth: a candidate for in situ exploration in West Antarctica. Geophysical Research Letters, 31 (23), L23403. 4, pp. https://doi.org/10.1029/2004GL021477

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Abstract/Summary

Radio-echo sounding reveals a 10 km-long lake beneath similar to3.4 km of ice near the Ellsworth Mountains in West Antarctica, 20 km from the ice divide. Subglacial Lake Ellsworth is located within a distinct topographic hollow, which is similar to1.5 km deeper than the surrounding bed. Judging by bed slopes flanking the lake, the water depth is at least 10s of metres. Calculations of basal temperature reveal the ice base to be warm both now and during full glacial periods. As the environments of subglacial lakes are broadly similar, life may be expected in Lake Ellsworth as in any other. Given this, its physical characteristics, and the fact that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet has been accessed on several occasions, Lake Ellsworth is an excellent candidate for in situ examination.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1029/2004GL021477
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Antarctic Science in the Global Context (2000-2005) > Global Interactions of the Antarctic Ice Sheet
ISSN:	0094-8276
NORA Subject Terms:	Glaciology Earth Sciences Hydrology
Date made live:	23 Feb 2012 10:00 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/12417

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