EAST ANTARCTICA: SUBGLACIAL HEAT FLUX CONSTRAINTS FOR ICE SHEET MODELLING

Abstract

This project aims to quantify the heat flux from the East Antarctic continent into the base of the ice sheet via the derivation of a large geochemical database, together with elevation-based modelling and new heat flux measurements in regions formerly contiguous with East Antarctica. This subglacial heat flux is poorly constrained in current ice sheet models, but directly affects ice sheet behaviour. The output of this project will be a greatly improved heat flux map for East Antarctica that can be used in ice sheet modelling studies. This should drive significant improvement in models for the evolution of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet, resulting in more accurate projections of ice discharge ..

Related publications (1)

Heat Flow in Southern Australia and Connections With East Antarctica

Alicia Pollett, Derrick Hasterok, Tom Raimondo, Jacqueline A Halpin, Martin Hand, Betina Bendall, Sandra McLaren

2019-11-01

Viscosity and melt generation at the base of ice sheets are critically dependent upon heat flow. Yet subglacial heat flow is poorl..