Articles | Volume 13, issue 7
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-1959-2019
© Author(s) 2019. 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-13-1959-2019
© Author(s) 2019. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
17 Jul 2019
Research article |
| 17 Jul 2019
| 17 Jul 2019
Past water flow beneath Pine Island and Thwaites glaciers, West Antarctica
Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1ER, UK
British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK
Kelly A. Hogan
British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK
Robert D. Larter
British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK
Neil S. Arnold
Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1ER, UK
Frank O. Nitsche
Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, P.O. Box 1000, Palisades, NY 10964-8000, USA
Nicholas R. Golledge
Antarctic Research Centre, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
Julian A. Dowdeswell
Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1ER, UK
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27 citations as recorded by crossref.
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- History of Anvers-Hugo Trough, western Antarctic Peninsula shelf, since the Last Glacial Maximum. Part I: Deglacial history based on new sedimentological and chronological data Z. Roseby et al. 10.1016/j.quascirev.2022.107590
- Subglacial lakes and their changing role in a warming climate S. Livingstone et al. 10.1038/s43017-021-00246-9
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- Subglacial lakes and hydrology across the Ellsworth Subglacial Highlands, West Antarctica F. Napoleoni et al. 10.5194/tc-14-4507-2020
- Repeat Subglacial Lake Drainage and Filling Beneath Thwaites Glacier G. Malczyk et al. 10.1029/2020GL089658
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- Subglacial Water Flow Over an Antarctic Palaeo‐Ice Stream Bed K. Hogan et al. 10.1029/2021JF006442
- New Catalog of Thwaites Glacier Subglacial Lakes and Their Activity Revealed by CryoSat‐2 Altimetry B. Kim et al. 10.1029/2023JF007602
- Deep and extensive meltwater system beneath the former Eurasian Ice Sheet in the Kara Sea A. Montelli et al. 10.1130/G46968.1
- Bedforms of Thwaites Glacier, West Antarctica: Character and Origin R. Alley et al. 10.1029/2021JF006339
- Bedrock erosion in subglacial channels S. Fagherazzi et al. 10.1371/journal.pone.0253768
- Geomorphological and morphometric characterization of subglacial channels on Devon Island, Nunavut, Canada S. Ruso et al. 10.1016/j.geomorph.2024.109345
- Morphometry of bedrock meltwater channels on Antarctic inner continental shelves: Implications for channel development and subglacial hydrology J. Kirkham et al. 10.1016/j.geomorph.2020.107369
- Loss of research and operational equipment in Antarctica: Balancing scientific advances with environmental impact K. Hughes et al. 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119200
- Synchronous retreat of Thwaites and Pine Island glaciers in response to external forcings in the presatellite era R. Clark et al. 10.1073/pnas.2211711120
- East Antarctic ice flow dynamic based on subglacial landforms near Dibble Glacier F. Nitsche & R. Correia 10.1016/j.margeo.2019.106007
- Okanogan lobe tunnel channels and subglacial floods into Moses Coulee, Channeled Scabland, northwestern United States J. Gombiner & J. Lesemann 10.1130/G52005.1
- Insights into glacial processes from micromorphology of silt-sized sediment A. Lepp et al. 10.5194/tc-18-2297-2024
2 citations as recorded by crossref.
Latest update: 27 Oct 2025
Short summary
A series of huge (500 m wide, 50 m deep) channels were eroded by water flowing beneath Pine Island and Thwaites glaciers in the past. The channels are similar to canyon systems produced by floods of meltwater released beneath the Antarctic Ice Sheet millions of years ago. The spatial extent of the channels formed beneath Pine Island and Thwaites glaciers demonstrates significant quantities of water, possibly discharged from trapped subglacial lakes, flowed beneath these glaciers in the past.
A series of huge (500 m wide, 50 m deep) channels were eroded by water flowing beneath Pine...
