Abstract
Abstract. The internal layers of ice sheets from ice-penetrating radar (IPR) investigation preserve critical information about the englacial conditions and ice-flow field. This paper presents a new detailed analysis of the spatial distribution characteristics of internal layers and subglacial topography of East Antarctic ice sheet (EAIS) from Zhongshan station to Dome A. Taking the internal layering continuity index (ILCI) and basal roughness as indicators, it provides an opportunity to evaluate the past internal environment and dynamics of ice sheet. The radar data of 1244 km along a traverse between Zhongshan Station and Dome A of EAIS was collected during the 29th Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition (CHINARE 29, 2012/2013). Except for the upstream of Lambert Glacier, the patterns of the folds in the internal layers are basically similar to the bed topography. The relatively flat basal topography and the decrease of ILCI with the deepening of the depth provide evidence for identifying previous rapid ice flow areas that the satellite cannot obtain, especially in the upstream of Lambert Glacier. Well continuous internal layers of Dome A almost extend to the bed, with high ILCI and high roughness characteristics. There are three kinds of basal roughness patterns in the whole traverse. The characteristics of the internal layer and basal topography of the traverse between Zhongshan Station and Dome A provide new information for understanding the ancient ice-flow activity and the historical evolution of EAIS.
Highlights
The East Antarctic ice sheet (EAIS) is the world's largest ice body, and any minor changes can cause global sea-level changes
Ice-penetrating radar (IPR) or radio-echo sounding (RES) systems operate by emitting electromagnetic waves through the air and the ice sheet, which will be reflected at boundaries with different dielectric parameters
The result of internal layering properties by internal layering continuity index (ILCI) can be qualitatively seen from the radar profile
Summary
The East Antarctic ice sheet (EAIS) is the world's largest ice body, and any minor changes can cause global sea-level changes. Internal layers geometry is affected by changes in substrate topography, basal conditions or accumulation rates, and ice flow effects (Bingham et al, 2015). The use of ice velocity in combination with internal layers and bed topography to study ice sheet stability and ice dynamics has been widely used, including Greenland (Sime et al, 2014), Institute and Möller Ice streams (Winter et al, 2015), Pine Island Glacier (Karlsson et al, 2012; Wilkens et al, 2015), the Siple Coast ice streams in West Antarctica and the Wilkes Land, Wilkes Subglacial Basin, Aurora Subglacial Basin region (Siegert et al, 2005; Wright et al, 2012) and Dronning Maud Land (Fujita et al , 2012) in East Antarctica. The traverse, passing through the western side of PEL, eastern upstream of the Lambert Glacier, Gamburtsev Subglacial
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