High-resolution elevation mapping of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica, and surrounding regions

Andrew G Fountain,Maciej Obryk,Michael Gooseff,Juan C Fernandez-Diaz,Paul Morin,David J Van Horn,Joseph Levy,Ramesh Shrestha

doi:10.5194/essd-9-435-2017

Abstract

Abstract. We present detailed surface elevation measurements for the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica derived from aerial lidar surveys flown in the austral summer of 2014–2015 as part of an effort to understand geomorphic changes over the past decade. Lidar return density varied from 2 to > 10 returns m−2 with an average of about 5 returns m−2. Vertical and horizontal accuracies are estimated to be 7 and 3 cm, respectively. In addition to our intended targets, other ad hoc regions were also surveyed including the Pegasus flight facility and two regions on Ross Island, McMurdo Station, Scott Base (and surroundings), and the coastal margin between Cape Royds and Cape Evans. These data are included in this report and data release. The combined data are freely available at https://doi.org/10.5069/G9D50JX3.

Highlights

The McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV) are a polar desert located along the Ross Sea coast of East Antarctica (∼ 77.5◦ S, ∼ 162.5◦ E; Fig. 1)
We have compiled a high-resolution elevation dataset for 3564 km2 of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica, focused largely on the valley bottoms
These new data, with a return density averaging 5 returns m−2, improve the raster digital elevation models (DEMs) quality compared to the lidar survey flown in 2002 (Shenk et al, 2004) by a factor of 4, from 2 to 1 m2

Summary

Introduction

The McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV) are a polar desert located along the Ross Sea coast of East Antarctica (∼ 77.5◦ S, ∼ 162.5◦ E; Fig. 1). These valleys are not covered by the East Antarctic ice sheet due to the blockage to flow by the Transantarctic Mountains and the severe rain shadow caused by these mountains (Chinn, 1981; Fountain et al, 2010). Permafrost is ubiquitous, with active layers up to 75 cm deep (Bockheim et al, 2007) This region is of interest to geologists and biologists. Anecdotal observations point to large changes in other stream channels and increasing roughness and perhaps thinning of the lower elevations of some glaciers. We summarize the field campaign of 2014–2015, data processing, and the point cloud of elevation data covering about 3300 km of the MDV, and 264 km of areas of interest nearby, all of which have been made openly available to the research community

Approach

Results from the field campaign

Final data processing

Data products

Summary