University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) not publicly available

Antarctic iceberg distribution and dissolution from ship-based observations

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 21:07 authored by Jacka, TH, Alan Giles
The Australian Antarctic Program's iceberg dataset (from ship-based observations), including information from the austral summer seasons 1984/85 to 1999/2000, is examined and used to extend earlier studies. Using 'snapshots' of the iceberg population to provide an idea of the iceberg life cycle, the distribution of icebergs between 60 and 150° E is discussed in terms of calving regions and ocean currents. Temporal changes are also examined. The discussion leads us to the point where we can define an area, bounded to the north by the maximum sea-ice limit and to the south by the Antarctic Divergence, in which icebergs are confined as they drift eastward. This allows estimation of total dissolution, in terms of iceberg numbers and volume, within 10° longitudinal sectors and, with knowledge of drift speeds, iceberg movement rates and freshwater input across the sector. Iceberg dissolution rates are found to be ∼0.03-0.05 m d-1 and the total mass contribution of fresh water to the ocean as the icebergs traverse our 30° of longitude study sector is ∼32 Gt. This amounts to a contribution equivalent to precipitation of ∼15.5cma-1, accounting for ∼2% of the total iceberg discharge from the Antarctic ice sheet.

History

Publication title

Journal of Glaciology

Volume

53

Issue

182

Pagination

341-356

ISSN

0022-1430

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

International Glaciological Society

Place of publication

Cambridge, England

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Oceanic processes (excl. in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean)

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Categories

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC