Articles | Volume 12, issue 8
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-2707-2018
© Author(s) 2018. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-2707-2018
© Author(s) 2018. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Diagnosing ice sheet grounding line stability from landform morphology
Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences, Rice
University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia,
Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA
Sarah L. Greenwood
Department of Geological Sciences, Stockholm University, 10691
Stockholm, Sweden
John B. Anderson
Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences, Rice
University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
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Records of the interaction between land and glacial ice movement in the Puget Lowland of Washington State are used to interpret that solid Earth movement provided stability to this marine-terminating glacial ice for at least 500 years. These results are significant because this landscape is similar to parts of the Greenland Ice Sheet and the Antarctic Peninsula, indicating that the interactions seen in this area are applicable to modern glaciated regions.
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Topographic highs (“bumps”) across glaciated landscapes have the potential to affect glacial ice. Bumps in the deglaciated Puget Lowland are assessed for streamlined glacial features to provide insight on ice–bed interactions. We identify a general threshold in which bumps significantly disrupt ice flow and sedimentary processes in this location. However, not all bumps have the same degree of impact. The system assessed here has relevance to parts of the Greenland Ice Sheet and Thwaites Glacier.
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Short summary
Using thousands of grounding line landforms in the Ross Sea, Antarctica, we observe two distinct landform types associated with contrasting styles of grounding line retreat. We characterise landform morphology, examine factors that control landform morphology and distribution, and explore drivers of grounding line (in)stability. This study highlights the importance of understanding thresholds which may destabilise a system and of controls on grounding line retreat over a range of timescales.
Using thousands of grounding line landforms in the Ross Sea, Antarctica, we observe two distinct...
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