Abstract
The paper aims to detect the main changes that occurred in the area surrounding the Mario Zucchelli Station (MZS) through analysis of multi-temporal remote sensing integrated by geophysical measurements. Specific attention was directed at realizing an integrated geomorphological study of the Boulder Clay Glacier, a partially debris-covered glacier belonging to the Northern Foothills (Victoria Land, Antarctica). This area was recently chosen as the location for the construction of a new semi-permanent gravel runway for MZS logistical airfreight operations. Photogrammetric analysis was performed by comparing three historical aerial photogrammetric surveys (carried out in 1956, 1985, and 1993) and Very High Resolution (VHR) GeoEye-1 satellite stereo-image coverage acquired in 2012. The comparison of geo-referenced orthophoto-mosaics allowed the main changes occurring in some particular areas along the coast nearby MZS to be established. Concerning the study of the Boulder Clay Glacier, it has to be considered that glaciers and moraines are not steady-state systems by definition. Several remote sensing and geophysical investigations were carried out with the main aim of determining the general assessment of this glacier: Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR); Geodetic Global Positioning System (GPS) network; multi-temporal satellite Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) interferometry. The analysis of Boulder Clay Glacier moraine pointed out a deformation of less than 74 mm y−1 in a time span of 56 years, value that agrees with velocity and deformation data observed by GPS and InSAR methods. The presence of unexpected brine ponds at the ice/bedrock interface and the deformation pattern observed in the central part of the moraine has to be monitored and studied, especially under the long-term maintenance of the future runway.
Highlights
Mario Zucchelli Station (MZS) is an Italian scientific station in Antarctica that has been operational since 1985
The results showed that differential velocities were in the order of a few millimeters per year
The multidisciplinary approach proposed in this study allowed us to define a precise structural constraint and a clearer relationship between the main physical factors interacting on the Boulder Clay Glacier (BCG) glacier, such as bedrock, glacier, moraine, glacier features, and water bodies and their variation during the last 50 years
Summary
Mario Zucchelli Station (MZS) is an Italian scientific station in Antarctica that has been operational since 1985. The report indicated as a drawback that the adjacent ice could suffer an accelerated ablation rate, making the runway elevated above its surroundings and, as a consequence, the shoulders could become unstable and the runway could be eroded along its edges [1] For this reason, the Boulder Clay Glacier (BCG) moraine was chosen as a possible location for building a new semi-permanent gravel runway for airfreight operations, in order to provide a more reliable logistical service to international Antarctic bases placed in the surrounding area. Photogrammetry was applied even for the production of the reference map (high-resolution digital orthophoto), obtained through a photogrammetric process of stereopairs of satellite images using a set of Ground Control Points (GCPs) measured through a geodetic rapid-static GPS surveying technique. The obtained Digital Elevation Model (DEM) accuracies could be acceptable for orthophoto production and to highlight movements larger than 6–7 m (Figures S1 and S2)
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