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Basal melting and freezing under the Amery Ice Shelf, East Antarctica

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 06:50 authored by Wen, JH, Wang, YF, Wang, WL, Jezek, KC, Liu, HX, Ian AllisonIan Allison
The basal melting and freezing rates under the Amery Ice Shelf, East Antarctica, are evaluated, and their spatial distributions mapped. Ice velocity, surface elevation and accumulation rate datasets are employed in the analysis, along with a column-averaged ice density model. Our analysis shows that the total area of basal melting is 34 700 km(2), with a total annual melt of 62.5 +/- 9.3 Gt and an average melting rate of 1.8 +/- 0.3 m a(-1). Basal freezing mainly occurs in the northwestern part of the ice shelf, over a total area of 26 100 km(2) and with a maximum freezing rate of 2.4 +/- 0.4 m a(-1). The total marine ice that accretes to the ice-shelf base is estimated to be 16.2 +/- 2.4 Gt a(-1). Using a redefined grounding line and geometry of the Amery Ice Shelf, we estimate the net melt over the ice-shelf base is about 46.4 +/- 6.9 Gt a(-1), which is higher than previous modeling and oceanographic estimates. Net basal melting accounts for about half of the total ice-shelf mass loss, with the rest being from iceberg discharge. Our basal melting and freezing distribution map provides a scientific basis for quantitative analysis of ice-ocean interaction at the ice-shelf-ocean interface.

History

Publication title

Journal of Glaciology

Volume

56

Issue

195

Pagination

81-90

ISSN

0022-1430

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Int Glaciol Soc

Place of publication

Lensfield Rd, Cambridge, England, Cb2 1Er

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Effects of climate change on Antarctic and sub-Antarctic environments (excl. social impacts)

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