Rapid subglacial erosion beneath Pine Island Glacier, West Antarctica

Smith, A.M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8577-482X; Bentley, C.R.; Bingham, R.G.; Jordan, T.A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2780-1986. 2012 Rapid subglacial erosion beneath Pine Island Glacier, West Antarctica. Geophysical Research Letters, 39 (12), L12501. 5, pp. https://doi.org/10.1029/2012GL051651

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Abstract/Summary

We present measurements of ice thickness, gravimetry and surface elevation on Pine Island Glacier, West Antarctica, separated by a period of 49 years. At one station, on the main trunk of the glacier we measured a surface elevation lowering with no significant change in ice thickness. We interpret these as indicating subglacial erosion of 31.8 ± 13.4 m at this location, at a mean rate over the measurement period of 0.6 ± 0.3 m a−1, and suggest that a current erosion rate of ∼1 m a−1is possible. Our results emphasize that locally, basal processes can have a significant effect on ice sheet changes, particularly where fast-flowing ice has an easily erodible bed.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1029/2012GL051651
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Polar Science for Planet Earth (2009 - ) > Environmental Change and Evolution BAS Programmes > Polar Science for Planet Earth (2009 - ) > Ice Sheets
ISSN:	0094-8276
NORA Subject Terms:	Glaciology
Date made live:	18 Jul 2012 11:20 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/18799

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