Abstract
AbstractTo improve the understanding of the mechanism driving recent changes in outlet glaciers in East Antarctica, we measured changes in the terminus position, ice flow velocity and surface elevation of the Langhovde Glacier located on the Sôya Coast. From satellite images from 2000–12 and field measurements taken in 2012 the glacier terminus position and flow velocity showed little change between 2003 and 2007. After this quiescent period, the glacier progressively advanced by 380 m and the flow velocity increased near the calving front by 10 m a-1 from 2007–10. No significant change was observed in surface elevation during the study period. The changes in the terminus position and flow velocity imply a reduction in the calving rate from 93 m a-1 (2003–07) to 16 m a-1 (2007–10). This suggests that calving was inhibited by stable sea ice conditions in the ocean. Theses results indicate that the Langhovde Glacier was in a relatively stable condition during the study period, and its terminus position was controlled by the rate of calving under the influence of sea ice conditions.
Highlights
Recent satellite observations have shown rapid changes of the Antarctic ice sheet along coastal margins
To improve the understanding of the mechanism driving recent changes in outlet glaciers in East Antarctica, we measured changes in the terminus position, ice flow velocity and surface elevation of the Langhovde Glacier located on the Sôya Coast
Theses results indicate that the Langhovde Glacier was in a relatively stable condition during the study period, and its terminus position was controlled by the rate of calving under the influence of sea ice conditions
Summary
Recent satellite observations have shown rapid changes of the Antarctic ice sheet along coastal margins. One possibility is that basal melting of ice shelves is increasing because of warming ocean water (Pritchard et al 2012), resulting in ice shelf disintegration and a consequent increase in ice velocity. Such acceleration triggers thinning of outlet glaciers because an increasing amount of ice is discharged into the ocean. The East Antarctic Ice Sheet showed a positive mass balance of +58 ± 31 Gt a-1 during the same period (Shepherd et al 2012).
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