Articles | Volume 16, issue 5
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2051-2022
© Author(s) 2022. 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-16-2051-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
30 May 2022
Research article |
| 30 May 2022
| 30 May 2022
Geomorphology and shallow sub-sea-floor structures underneath the Ekström Ice Shelf, Antarctica
Astrid Oetting
Geosciences, Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
now at: Institut für Planetologie, Westfälische-Wilhelms Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
Geosciences, Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
now at: School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
Jan Erik Arndt
Geosciences, Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
now at: Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
Boris Dorschel
Geosciences, Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
Reinhard Drews
Department of Geoscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
Todd A. Ehlers
Department of Geoscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
Christoph Gaedicke
BGR, Federal Institute for Geoscience and Natural Resources, Hanover, Germany
Coen Hofstede
Geosciences, Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
Johann P. Klages
Geosciences, Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
Gerhard Kuhn
Geosciences, Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
Astrid Lambrecht
Geodesy and Glaciology, Bavarian Academy of Science and Humanities, Munich, Germany
Andreas Läufer
BGR, Federal Institute for Geoscience and Natural Resources, Hanover, Germany
Christoph Mayer
Geodesy and Glaciology, Bavarian Academy of Science and Humanities, Munich, Germany
Ralf Tiedemann
Geosciences, Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
Department of Geoscience, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
Frank Wilhelms
Geosciences, Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
Department of Geoscience, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
Olaf Eisen
Geosciences, Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
Department of Geoscience, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
Related authors
No articles found.
Steven Franke, Daniel Steinhage, Veit Helm, Tobias Binder, Uwe Nixdorf, Heinrich Miller, Angelika Humbert, Daniela Jansen, Graeme Eagles, Hannes Eisermann, Wilfried Jokat, Antonia Ruppel, Reinhard Drews, Alexandra Zuhr, Amelie Driemel, Andreas Walter, Peter Konopatzky, Robin Heß, Antonie Haas, Roland Koppe, Pascal H. Andreas, and Olaf Eisen
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5328, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5328, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for The Cryosphere (TC).
Short summary
Short summary
This review synthesizes 30 years of AWI’s airborne radar research in Antarctica and Greenland, detailing six radar systems and their applications in studying ice dynamics, basal properties, and subglacial landscapes. It highlights scientific breakthroughs—from mapping ancient buried terrains to improving ice-sheet models—and introduces the public release of AWI’s radar datasets via the Radar Data Viewer and PANGAEA, ensuring FAIR-compliant access for future polar research.
Alexis Lamothe, Edouard Bard, Nicolas Thouveny, Ellyn Auriol, Mirko Severi, Rita Traversi, Martine de Angelis, Frank Wilhelms, Robert Mulvaney, Fawzi Zaidi, Georges Aumaitre, Karim Keddadouche, and Mélanie Baroni
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5707, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5707, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Geochronology (GChron).
Short summary
Short summary
We studied changes in Earth's magnetic field between 170,000 and 270,000 years ago using beryllium data from Antarctic ice. Our results reveal three periods when the magnetic field weakened sharply, including one major event with a rapid fall and gradual recovery. These findings help explain how Earth's magnetic field behaves during short-term disturbances and improve the timing of past climate and geological records.
Valerie Reppert, Olaf Eisen, Holger Schmithüsen, Stefanie Arndt, Guido Ascenso, Linda Ort, and Zsófia Jurányi
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5199, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5199, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for The Cryosphere (TC).
Short summary
Short summary
We analyzed 33 years of snow accumulation measurements at Neumayer Station, Antarctica, to understand changes in the amount of snow building up on the surface over time. The long-term, high-resolution data show mostly stable accumulation, but rare positive extremes appeared in 2021 and 2023. Seasonal and multi-year patterns were identified, providing valuable data to improve climate models and satellite observations.
Akash M. Patil, Christoph Mayer, Thorsten Seehaus, Alexander R. Groos, and Andreas Bauder
The Cryosphere, 19, 5547–5577, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-5547-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-5547-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We studied how the density of snow to ice transition varies with depth in the Aletsch glacier using radar-based field measurements and some simple models. We showed that it is possible to track how much snow has accumulated in the last 10–14 years. This helps improve the uncertainties in glacier mass balance estimates. Overall, by utilising non-invasive radar techniques and models, we provide a novel approach to understanding the evolution of glaciers under regional climate conditions.
Julien A. Bodart, Vjeran Višnjevic, Steven Franke, Veit Helm, Olaf Eisen, Antoine Hermant, Alexandra M. Zuhr, Daniel Steinhage, and Johannes C. R. Sutter
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5381, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5381, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for The Cryosphere (TC).
Short summary
Short summary
We used radar data and computer models to study layers within Antarctic ice that record past snowfall and ice-sheet changes. These layers, called isochrones, are seldomly used to model of Antarctica’s past. By comparing radar observations with simulations, we show how they can greatly improve model accuracy and provide two new datasets to help refine future reconstructions of Antarctic ice evolution.
Charlotte M. Carter, Steven Franke, Daniela Jansen, Chris R. Stokes, Veit Helm, John Paden, and Olaf Eisen
The Cryosphere, 19, 5299–5315, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-5299-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-5299-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The subglacial landforms beneath actively fast-flowing ice in Greenland have not been explored in detail, as digital elevation models have not had a high enough resolution to see these features. We use swath radar imaging to visualise landforms at the onset of an ice stream, revealing mega-scale glacial lineations, that would usually be assumed to be indicative of faster ice flow than the current velocities. Interpretation of the landscape also gives an indication of the properties of the bed.
Robert G. Bingham, Julien A. Bodart, Marie G. P. Cavitte, Ailsa Chung, Rebecca J. Sanderson, Johannes C. R. Sutter, Olaf Eisen, Nanna B. Karlsson, Joseph A. MacGregor, Neil Ross, Duncan A. Young, David W. Ashmore, Andreas Born, Winnie Chu, Xiangbin Cui, Reinhard Drews, Steven Franke, Vikram Goel, John W. Goodge, A. Clara J. Henry, Antoine Hermant, Benjamin H. Hills, Nicholas Holschuh, Michelle R. Koutnik, Gwendolyn J.-M. C. Leysinger Vieli, Emma J. MacKie, Elisa Mantelli, Carlos Martín, Felix S. L. Ng, Falk M. Oraschewski, Felipe Napoleoni, Frédéric Parrenin, Sergey V. Popov, Therese Rieckh, Rebecca Schlegel, Dustin M. Schroeder, Martin J. Siegert, Xueyuan Tang, Thomas O. Teisberg, Kate Winter, Shuai Yan, Harry Davis, Christine F. Dow, Tyler J. Fudge, Tom A. Jordan, Bernd Kulessa, Kenichi Matsuoka, Clara J. Nyqvist, Maryam Rahnemoonfar, Matthew R. Siegfried, Shivangini Singh, Vjeran Višnjević, Rodrigo Zamora, and Alexandra Zuhr
The Cryosphere, 19, 4611–4655, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-4611-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-4611-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The ice sheets covering Antarctica have built up over millenia through successive snowfall events which become buried and preserved as internal surfaces of equal age detectable with ice-penetrating radar. This paper describes an international initiative working together on these archival data to build a comprehensive 3-D picture of how old the ice is everywhere across Antarctica and how this is being used to reconstruct past and to predict future ice and climate behaviour.
Christian T. Wild, Reinhard Drews, Niklas Neckel, Joohan Lee, Sihyung Kim, Hyangsun Han, Won Sang Lee, Veit Helm, Sebastian Harry Reid Rosier, Oliver J. Marsh, and Wolfgang Rack
The Cryosphere, 19, 4533–4554, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-4533-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-4533-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The stability of the Antarctic Ice Sheet depends on how resistance along the sides of large glaciers slows down the flow of ice into the ocean. We present a method to map ice strength using the effect of ocean tides on floating ice shelves. Incorporating weaker ice in shear zones improves the accuracy of model predictions, compared with satellite observations. This demonstrates the untapped potential of radar satellites to map ice stiffness in the most critical areas for ice sheet stability.
Ailsa Chung, Frédéric Parrenin, Robert Mulvaney, Luca Vittuari, Massimo Frezzotti, Antonio Zanutta, David A. Lilien, Marie G. P. Cavitte, and Olaf Eisen
The Cryosphere, 19, 4125–4140, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-4125-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-4125-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We applied an ice flow model to a flow line from the summit of Dome C to the Beyond EPICA ice core drill site on Little Dome C in Antarctica. Results show that the oldest ice at the drill site may be 1.12 Ma (at an age density of 20 kyr m-1) and originate from around 15 km upstream. We also discuss the nature of the 200–250 m thick basal layer which could be composed of stagnant ice, disturbed ice or even accreted ice (possibly containing debris).
Nicolas Stoll, Ilka Weikusat, Daniela Jansen, Paul Bons, Kyra Darányi, Julien Westhoff, María-Gema Llorens, David Wallis, Jan Eichler, Tomotaka Saruya, Tomoyuki Homma, Sune Olander Rasmussen, Giulia Sinnl, Anders Svensson, Martyn Drury, Frank Wilhelms, Sepp Kipfstuhl, Dorthe Dahl-Jensen, and Johanna Kerch
The Cryosphere, 19, 3805–3830, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-3805-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-3805-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
A better understanding of ice flow requires more observational data. The EastGRIP core is the first ice core through an active ice stream. We discuss crystal orientation data determining the present deformation regimes. A comparison with other deep cores shows the unique properties of EastGRIP and shows that deep ice likely originates from the Eemian. We further show that the overall plug flow of NEGIS is characterised by many small-scale variations, which remain to be considered in ice flow models.
Neil Ross, Rebecca J. Sanderson, Bernd Kulessa, Martin Siegert, Guy J. G. Paxman, Keir A. Nichols, Matthew R. Siegfried, Stewart S. R. Jamieson, Michael J. Bentley, Tom A. Jordan, Christine L. Batchelor, David Small, Olaf Eisen, Kate Winter, Robert G. Bingham, S. Louise Callard, Rachel Carr, Christine F. Dow, Helen A. Fricker, Emily Hill, Benjamin H. Hills, Coen Hofstede, Hafeez Jeofry, Felipe Napoleoni, and Wilson Sauthoff
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3625, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3625, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for The Cryosphere (TC).
Short summary
Short summary
We review previous research into a group of fast-flowing Antarctic ice streams, the Foundation-Patuxent-Academy System. Previously, we knew relatively little how these ice streams flow, how they interact with the ocean, what their geological history was, and how they might evolve in a warming world. By reviewing existing information on these ice streams, we identify the future research needed to determine how they function, and their potential contribution to global sea level rise.
Martin Rückamp, Gong Cheng, Karlheinz Gutjahr, Marco Möller, Petri K. E. Pellikka, and Christoph Mayer
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3150, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3150, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The study simulates the 21st-century evolution of Great Aletsch Glacier and Hintereisferner using full-Stokes ice dynamics and surface mass balance under different emission scenarios. Results show significant ice loss, with Hintereisferner expected to disappear by mid-century. Great Aletsch Glacier vanish by the end of the century under high-emission scenarios, but persist under lower-emission scenarios. These trends agree with large-scale models except some variability.
Francesca Pellicciotti, Adrià Fontrodona-Bach, David R. Rounce, Catriona L. Fyffe, Leif S. Anderson, Álvaro Ayala, Ben W. Brock, Pascal Buri, Stefan Fugger, Koji Fujita, Prateek Gantayat, Alexander R. Groos, Walter Immerzeel, Marin Kneib, Christoph Mayer, Shelley MacDonell, Michael McCarthy, James McPhee, Evan Miles, Heather Purdie, Ekaterina Rets, Akiko Sakai, Thomas E. Shaw, Jakob Steiner, Patrick Wagnon, and Alex Winter-Billington
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3837, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3837, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Rock debris covers many of the world glaciers, modifying the transfer of atmospheric energy to the debris and into the ice. Models of different complexity simulate this process, and we compare 14 models at 9 sites to show that the most complex models at the debris-atmosphere interface have the highest performance. However, we lack debris properties and their derivation from measurements is ambiguous, hindering global modelling and calling for both model development and data collection.
Ole Zeising, Tore Hattermann, Lars Kaleschke, Sophie Berger, Olaf Boebel, Reinhard Drews, M. Reza Ershadi, Tanja Fromm, Frank Pattyn, Daniel Steinhage, and Olaf Eisen
The Cryosphere, 19, 2837–2854, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-2837-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-2837-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Basal melting of ice shelves impacts the mass loss of the Antarctic Ice Sheet. This study focuses on the Ekström Ice Shelf in East Antarctica, using multiyear data from an autonomous radar system. Results show a surprising seasonal pattern of high melt rates in winter and spring. The seasonalities of sea-ice growth and ocean density indicate that, in winter, dense water enhances plume activity and melt rates. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for improving future mass balance projections.
Mirjam Schaller, Daniel Peifer, Alexander B. Neely, Thomas Bernard, Christoph Glotzbach, Alexander R. Beer, and Todd A. Ehlers
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 571–591, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-571-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-571-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study reports chemical weathering, physical erosion, and denudation rates from river load data in the Swabian Alb, southwestern Germany. Tributaries to the Neckar River draining to the north show higher rates than tributaries draining to the southeast into the Danube River, causing a retreat of the Swabian Alb escarpment. Observations are discussed in light of anthropogenic impact, lithology, and topography. The data are further compared to other rates over space and time and to global data.
Janina Güntzel, Juliane Müller, Ralf Tiedemann, Gesine Mollenhauer, Lester Lembke-Jene, Estella Weigelt, Lasse Schopen, Niklas Wesch, Laura Kattein, Andrew N. Mackintosh, and Johann P. Klages
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2515, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2515, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for The Cryosphere (TC).
Short summary
Short summary
Combined multi-proxy sediment core analyses reveal the deglaciation along the Mac. Robertson Shelf, a yet insufficiently studied sector of the East Antarctic margin. Grounding line extent towards the continental shelf break prior to ~12.5 cal. ka BP and subsequent episodic mid-shelf retreat towards the early Holocene prevented Antarctic Bottom Water formation in its current form, hence suggesting either its absence or an alternative pre-Holocene formation mechanism.
Theresa Dobler, Wilfried Hagg, Martin Rückamp, Thorsten Seehaus, and Christoph Mayer
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2513, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2513, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We studied how a glacier in the Austrian Alps moves more slowly over time due to climate change. By combining long-term field data with recent aerial images, we show how thinning reduce glacier flow. Standard satellite methods failed to detect this slow movement, so we used manual tracking to create a reliable map. Our findings help understand changes in glacier behavior in a warming climate.
Hameed Moqadam and Olaf Eisen
The Cryosphere, 19, 2159–2196, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-2159-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-2159-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This is an overview of methodologies that have been applied to map the internal reflection horizons, or ice-layer boundaries, of ice sheets on Earth and other planets. We briefly explain radar applications in glaciology and the methods which have been used and published. There are summaries of the published work of the last 2 decades. Finally, we conclude by introducing the gaps and opportunities for further advancement in this field, and we present possible future directions.
Tamara Annina Gerber, David A. Lilien, Niels F. Nymand, Daniel Steinhage, Olaf Eisen, and Dorthe Dahl-Jensen
The Cryosphere, 19, 1955–1971, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1955-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1955-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study examines how anisotropic scattering and birefringence affect radar signals in ice sheets. Using data from northeast Greenland, we show that anisotropic scattering – driven by subtle ice crystal orientation changes – dominates the azimuthal power response. We find a strong link between scattering strength, orientation, and stratigraphy. This suggests anisotropic scattering can reveal crystal fabric orientation and differentiate ice units from distinct climatic periods.
Steven Franke, Daniel Steinhage, Veit Helm, Alexandra M. Zuhr, Julien A. Bodart, Olaf Eisen, and Paul Bons
The Cryosphere, 19, 1153–1180, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1153-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1153-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The study presents internal reflection horizons (IRHs) over an area of 450 000 km² from western Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica, spanning 4.8–91 ka. Using radar and ice core data, nine IRHs were dated and correlated with volcanic events. The data enhance our understanding of the ice sheet's age–depth architecture, accumulation, and dynamics. The findings inform ice flow models and contribute to Antarctic-wide comparisons of IRHs, supporting efforts toward a 3D age–depth ice sheet model.
Rémi Dallmayr, Hannah Meyer, Vasileios Gkinis, Thomas Laepple, Melanie Behrens, Frank Wilhelms, and Maria Hörhold
The Cryosphere, 19, 1067–1083, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1067-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1067-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Recent studies showed that a large number of independent vertical profiles allow for inferring a common local climate signal from the stacked stable water isotope record. Through investigating instrumental limitation and the effect of percolation of such porous samples, this study assesses the continuous flow analysis (CFA) technique in order to analyze the significant number of snow surface profiles within a reasonable time and with high quality.
Christoph Glotzbach and Todd A. Ehlers
Geochronology, 6, 697–717, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-6-697-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-6-697-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The (U–Th–Sm) / He dating method helps understand the cooling history of rocks. Synthetic modelling experiments were conducted to explore factors affecting in situ vs. whole-grain (U–Th) / He dates. In situ dates are often 30 % older than whole-grain dates, whereas very rapid cooling makes helium loss negligible, resulting in similar whole-grain and in situ dates. In addition, in situ data can reveal cooling histories even from a single grain by measuring helium distributions.
Emma Pearce, Dimitri Zigone, Coen Hofstede, Andreas Fichtner, Joachim Rimpot, Sune Olander Rasmussen, Johannes Freitag, and Olaf Eisen
The Cryosphere, 18, 4917–4932, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4917-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4917-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Our study near EastGRIP camp in Greenland shows varying firn properties by direction (crucial for studying ice stream stability, structure, surface mass balance, and past climate conditions). We used dispersion curve analysis of Love and Rayleigh waves to show firn is nonuniform along and across the flow of an ice stream due to wind patterns, seasonal variability, and the proximity to the edge of the ice stream. This method better informs firn structure, advancing ice stream understanding.
Falk M. Oraschewski, Inka Koch, M. Reza Ershadi, Jonathan D. Hawkins, Olaf Eisen, and Reinhard Drews
The Cryosphere, 18, 3875–3889, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-3875-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-3875-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Mountain glaciers have a layered structure which contains information about past snow accumulation and ice flow. Using ground-penetrating radar instruments, the internal structure can be observed. The detection of layers in the deeper parts of a glacier is often difficult. Here, we present a new approach for imaging the englacial structure of an Alpine glacier (Colle Gnifetti, Switzerland and Italy) using a phase-sensitive radar that can detect reflection depth changes at sub-wavelength scales.
Anna Wendleder, Jasmin Bramboeck, Jamie Izzard, Thilo Erbertseder, Pablo d'Angelo, Andreas Schmitt, Duncan J. Quincey, Christoph Mayer, and Matthias H. Braun
The Cryosphere, 18, 1085–1103, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-1085-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-1085-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study analyses the basal sliding and the hydrological drainage of Baltoro Glacier, Pakistan. The surface velocity was characterized by a spring speed-up, summer peak, and autumn speed-up. Snow melt has the largest impact on the spring speed-up, summer velocity peak, and the transition from inefficient to efficient drainage. Drainage from supraglacial lakes contributed to the fall speed-up. Increased summer temperatures will intensify the magnitude of meltwater and thus surface velocities.
Ladina Steiner, Holger Schmithüsen, Jens Wickert, and Olaf Eisen
The Cryosphere, 17, 4903–4916, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-4903-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-4903-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The present study illustrates the potential of a combined Global Navigation Satellite System reflectometry and refractometry (GNSS-RR) method for accurate, simultaneous, and continuous estimation of in situ snow accumulation, snow water equivalent, and snow density time series. The combined GNSS-RR method was successfully applied on a fast-moving, polar ice shelf. The combined GNSS-RR approach could be highly advantageous for a continuous quantification of ice sheet surface mass balances.
Daniel Boateng, Sebastian G. Mutz, Armelle Ballian, Maud J. M. Meijers, Katharina Methner, Svetlana Botsyun, Andreas Mulch, and Todd A. Ehlers
Earth Syst. Dynam., 14, 1183–1210, https://doi.org/10.5194/esd-14-1183-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/esd-14-1183-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We present model-based topographic sensitivity experiments that provide valuable constraints for interpreting past proxies and records of climate and tectonic processes. The study uses a climate model to quantify the response of regional climate and oxygen isotopic composition of precipitation to diachronous surface uplift scenarios across the European Alps. The results suggest that isotopic signal changes can be measured in geologic archives using stable isotope paleoaltimetry.
Hemanti Sharma and Todd A. Ehlers
Earth Surf. Dynam., 11, 1161–1181, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-11-1161-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-11-1161-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Seasonality in precipitation (P) and vegetation (V) influences catchment erosion (E), although which factor plays the dominant role is unclear. In this study, we performed a sensitivity analysis of E to P–V seasonality through numerical modeling. Our results suggest that P variations strongly influence seasonal variations in E, while the effect of seasonal V variations is secondary but significant. This is more pronounced in moderate and least pronounced in extreme environmental settings.
Zhuo Wang, Ailsa Chung, Daniel Steinhage, Frédéric Parrenin, Johannes Freitag, and Olaf Eisen
The Cryosphere, 17, 4297–4314, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-4297-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-4297-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We combine radar-based observed internal layer stratigraphy of the ice sheet with a 1-D ice flow model in the Dome Fuji region. This results in maps of age and age density of the basal ice, the basal thermal conditions, and reconstructed accumulation rates. Based on modeled age we then identify four potential candidates for ice which is potentially 1.5 Myr old. Our map of basal thermal conditions indicates that melting prevails over the presence of stagnant ice in the study area.
Julia Rieke Hagemann, Lester Lembke-Jene, Frank Lamy, Maria-Elena Vorrath, Jérôme Kaiser, Juliane Müller, Helge W. Arz, Jens Hefter, Andrea Jaeschke, Nicoletta Ruggieri, and Ralf Tiedemann
Clim. Past, 19, 1825–1845, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-19-1825-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-19-1825-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Alkenones and glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether lipids (GDGTs) are common biomarkers for past water temperatures. In high latitudes, determining temperature reliably is challenging. We analyzed 33 Southern Ocean sediment surface samples and evaluated widely used global calibrations for both biomarkers. For GDGT-based temperatures, previously used calibrations best reflect temperatures >5° C; (sub)polar temperature bias necessitates a new calibration which better aligns with modern values.
Ailsa Chung, Frédéric Parrenin, Daniel Steinhage, Robert Mulvaney, Carlos Martín, Marie G. P. Cavitte, David A. Lilien, Veit Helm, Drew Taylor, Prasad Gogineni, Catherine Ritz, Massimo Frezzotti, Charles O'Neill, Heinrich Miller, Dorthe Dahl-Jensen, and Olaf Eisen
The Cryosphere, 17, 3461–3483, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-3461-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-3461-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We combined a numerical model with radar measurements in order to determine the age of ice in the Dome C region of Antarctica. Our results show that at the current ice core drilling sites on Little Dome C, the maximum age of the ice is almost 1.5 Ma. We also highlight a new potential drill site called North Patch with ice up to 2 Ma. Finally, we explore the nature of a stagnant ice layer at the base of the ice sheet which has been independently observed and modelled but is not well understood.
Fanny Brun, Owen King, Marion Réveillet, Charles Amory, Anton Planchot, Etienne Berthier, Amaury Dehecq, Tobias Bolch, Kévin Fourteau, Julien Brondex, Marie Dumont, Christoph Mayer, Silvan Leinss, Romain Hugonnet, and Patrick Wagnon
The Cryosphere, 17, 3251–3268, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-3251-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-3251-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The South Col Glacier is a small body of ice and snow located on the southern ridge of Mt. Everest. A recent study proposed that South Col Glacier is rapidly losing mass. In this study, we examined the glacier thickness change for the period 1984–2017 and found no thickness change. To reconcile these results, we investigate wind erosion and surface energy and mass balance and find that melt is unlikely a dominant process, contrary to previous findings.
Alice C. Frémand, Peter Fretwell, Julien A. Bodart, Hamish D. Pritchard, Alan Aitken, Jonathan L. Bamber, Robin Bell, Cesidio Bianchi, Robert G. Bingham, Donald D. Blankenship, Gino Casassa, Ginny Catania, Knut Christianson, Howard Conway, Hugh F. J. Corr, Xiangbin Cui, Detlef Damaske, Volkmar Damm, Reinhard Drews, Graeme Eagles, Olaf Eisen, Hannes Eisermann, Fausto Ferraccioli, Elena Field, René Forsberg, Steven Franke, Shuji Fujita, Yonggyu Gim, Vikram Goel, Siva Prasad Gogineni, Jamin Greenbaum, Benjamin Hills, Richard C. A. Hindmarsh, Andrew O. Hoffman, Per Holmlund, Nicholas Holschuh, John W. Holt, Annika N. Horlings, Angelika Humbert, Robert W. Jacobel, Daniela Jansen, Adrian Jenkins, Wilfried Jokat, Tom Jordan, Edward King, Jack Kohler, William Krabill, Mette Kusk Gillespie, Kirsty Langley, Joohan Lee, German Leitchenkov, Carlton Leuschen, Bruce Luyendyk, Joseph MacGregor, Emma MacKie, Kenichi Matsuoka, Mathieu Morlighem, Jérémie Mouginot, Frank O. Nitsche, Yoshifumi Nogi, Ole A. Nost, John Paden, Frank Pattyn, Sergey V. Popov, Eric Rignot, David M. Rippin, Andrés Rivera, Jason Roberts, Neil Ross, Anotonia Ruppel, Dustin M. Schroeder, Martin J. Siegert, Andrew M. Smith, Daniel Steinhage, Michael Studinger, Bo Sun, Ignazio Tabacco, Kirsty Tinto, Stefano Urbini, David Vaughan, Brian C. Welch, Douglas S. Wilson, Duncan A. Young, and Achille Zirizzotti
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 15, 2695–2710, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-2695-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-2695-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This paper presents the release of over 60 years of ice thickness, bed elevation, and surface elevation data acquired over Antarctica by the international community. These data are a crucial component of the Antarctic Bedmap initiative which aims to produce a new map and datasets of Antarctic ice thickness and bed topography for the international glaciology and geophysical community.
Lena Katharina Schmidt, Till Francke, Peter Martin Grosse, Christoph Mayer, and Axel Bronstert
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 1841–1863, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-1841-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-1841-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We present a suitable method to reconstruct sediment export from decadal records of hydroclimatic predictors (discharge, precipitation, temperature) and shorter suspended sediment measurements. This lets us fill the knowledge gap on how sediment export from glacierized high-alpine areas has responded to climate change. We find positive trends in sediment export from the two investigated nested catchments with step-like increases around 1981 which are linked to crucial changes in glacier melt.
Ole Zeising, Tamara Annina Gerber, Olaf Eisen, M. Reza Ershadi, Nicolas Stoll, Ilka Weikusat, and Angelika Humbert
The Cryosphere, 17, 1097–1105, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-1097-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-1097-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The flow of glaciers and ice streams is influenced by crystal fabric orientation. Besides sparse ice cores, these can be investigated by radar measurements. Here, we present an improved method which allows us to infer the horizontal fabric asymmetry using polarimetric phase-sensitive radar data. A validation of the method on a deep ice core from the Greenland Ice Sheet shows an excellent agreement, which is a large improvement over previously used methods.
Mengli Cao, Jens Hefter, Ralf Tiedemann, Lester Lembke-Jene, Vera D. Meyer, and Gesine Mollenhauer
Clim. Past, 19, 159–178, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-19-159-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-19-159-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We use sediment records of lignin to reconstruct deglacial vegetation change and permafrost mobilization, which occurred earlier in the Yukon than in the Amur river basin. Sea ice extent or surface temperatures of adjacent oceans might have had a strong influence on the timing of permafrost mobilization. In contrast to previous evidence, our records imply that during glacial peaks of permafrost decomposition, lipids and lignin might have been delivered to the ocean by identical processes.
Vjeran Višnjević, Reinhard Drews, Clemens Schannwell, Inka Koch, Steven Franke, Daniela Jansen, and Olaf Eisen
The Cryosphere, 16, 4763–4777, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-4763-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-4763-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We present a simple way to model the internal layers of an ice shelf and apply the method to the Roi Baudouin Ice Shelf in East Antarctica. Modeled results are compared to measurements obtained by radar. We distinguish between ice directly formed on the shelf and ice transported from the ice sheet, and we map the spatial changes in the volume of the locally accumulated ice. In this context, we discuss the sensitivity of the ice shelf to future changes in surface accumulation and basal melt.
Julian Gutt, Stefanie Arndt, David Keith Alan Barnes, Horst Bornemann, Thomas Brey, Olaf Eisen, Hauke Flores, Huw Griffiths, Christian Haas, Stefan Hain, Tore Hattermann, Christoph Held, Mario Hoppema, Enrique Isla, Markus Janout, Céline Le Bohec, Heike Link, Felix Christopher Mark, Sebastien Moreau, Scarlett Trimborn, Ilse van Opzeeland, Hans-Otto Pörtner, Fokje Schaafsma, Katharina Teschke, Sandra Tippenhauer, Anton Van de Putte, Mia Wege, Daniel Zitterbart, and Dieter Piepenburg
Biogeosciences, 19, 5313–5342, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-5313-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-5313-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Long-term ecological observations are key to assess, understand and predict impacts of environmental change on biotas. We present a multidisciplinary framework for such largely lacking investigations in the East Antarctic Southern Ocean, combined with case studies, experimental and modelling work. As climate change is still minor here but is projected to start soon, the timely implementation of this framework provides the unique opportunity to document its ecological impacts from the very onset.
Hemanti Sharma, Sebastian G. Mutz, and Todd A. Ehlers
Earth Surf. Dynam., 10, 997–1015, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-10-997-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-10-997-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We estimate global changes in frost cracking intensity (FCI) using process-based models for four time slices in the late Cenozoic ranging from the Pliocene (∼ 3 Ma) to pre-industrial (∼ 1850 CE, PI). For all time slices, results indicate that FCI was most prevalent in middle to high latitudes and high-elevation lower-latitude areas such as Tibet. Larger deviations (relative to PI) were observed in colder (LGM) and warmer climates (Pliocene) due to differences in temperature and glaciation.
Angelika Humbert, Julia Christmann, Hugh F. J. Corr, Veit Helm, Lea-Sophie Höyns, Coen Hofstede, Ralf Müller, Niklas Neckel, Keith W. Nicholls, Timm Schultz, Daniel Steinhage, Michael Wolovick, and Ole Zeising
The Cryosphere, 16, 4107–4139, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-4107-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-4107-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Ice shelves are normally flat structures that fringe the Antarctic continent. At some locations they have channels incised into their underside. On Filchner Ice Shelf, such a channel is more than 50 km long and up to 330 m high. We conducted field measurements of basal melt rates and found a maximum of 2 m yr−1. Simulations represent the geometry evolution of the channel reasonably well. There is no reason to assume that this type of melt channel is destabilizing ice shelves.
A. Clara J. Henry, Reinhard Drews, Clemens Schannwell, and Vjeran Višnjević
The Cryosphere, 16, 3889–3905, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-3889-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-3889-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We used a 3D, idealised model to study features in coastal Antarctica called ice rises and ice rumples. These features regulate the rate of ice flow into the ocean. We show that when sea level is raised or lowered, the size of these features and the ice flow pattern can change. We find that the features depend on the ice history and do not necessarily fully recover after an equal increase and decrease in sea level. This shows that it is important to initialise models with accurate ice geometry.
Helen Eri Amsler, Lena Mareike Thöle, Ingrid Stimac, Walter Geibert, Minoru Ikehara, Gerhard Kuhn, Oliver Esper, and Samuel Laurent Jaccard
Clim. Past, 18, 1797–1813, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-18-1797-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-18-1797-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We present sedimentary redox-sensitive trace metal records from five sediment cores retrieved from the SW Indian Ocean. These records are indicative of oxygen-depleted conditions during cold periods and enhanced oxygenation during interstadials. Our results thus suggest that deep-ocean oxygenation changes were mainly controlled by ocean ventilation and that a generally more sluggish circulation contributed to sequestering remineralized carbon away from the atmosphere during glacial periods.
Stefan Mulitza, Torsten Bickert, Helen C. Bostock, Cristiano M. Chiessi, Barbara Donner, Aline Govin, Naomi Harada, Enqing Huang, Heather Johnstone, Henning Kuhnert, Michael Langner, Frank Lamy, Lester Lembke-Jene, Lorraine Lisiecki, Jean Lynch-Stieglitz, Lars Max, Mahyar Mohtadi, Gesine Mollenhauer, Juan Muglia, Dirk Nürnberg, André Paul, Carsten Rühlemann, Janne Repschläger, Rajeev Saraswat, Andreas Schmittner, Elisabeth L. Sikes, Robert F. Spielhagen, and Ralf Tiedemann
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 2553–2611, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-2553-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-2553-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Stable isotope ratios of foraminiferal shells from deep-sea sediments preserve key information on the variability of ocean circulation and ice volume. We present the first global atlas of harmonized raw downcore oxygen and carbon isotope ratios of various planktonic and benthic foraminiferal species. The atlas is a foundation for the analyses of the history of Earth system components, for finding future coring sites, and for teaching marine stratigraphy and paleoceanography.
M. Reza Ershadi, Reinhard Drews, Carlos Martín, Olaf Eisen, Catherine Ritz, Hugh Corr, Julia Christmann, Ole Zeising, Angelika Humbert, and Robert Mulvaney
The Cryosphere, 16, 1719–1739, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-1719-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-1719-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Radio waves transmitted through ice split up and inform us about the ice sheet interior and orientation of single ice crystals. This can be used to infer how ice flows and improve projections on how it will evolve in the future. Here we used an inverse approach and developed a new algorithm to infer ice properties from observed radar data. We applied this technique to the radar data obtained at two EPICA drilling sites, where ice cores were used to validate our results.
Andrea Madella, Christoph Glotzbach, and Todd A. Ehlers
Geochronology, 4, 177–190, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-177-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-177-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Cooling ages date the time at which minerals cross a certain isotherm on the way up to Earth's surface. Such ages can be measured from bedrock material and river sand. If spatial variations in bedrock ages are known in a river catchment, the spatial distribution of erosion can be inferred from the distribution of the ages measured from the river sand grains. Here we develop a new tool to help such analyses, with particular emphasis on quantifying uncertainties due to sample size.
Erin L. McClymont, Michael J. Bentley, Dominic A. Hodgson, Charlotte L. Spencer-Jones, Thomas Wardley, Martin D. West, Ian W. Croudace, Sonja Berg, Darren R. Gröcke, Gerhard Kuhn, Stewart S. R. Jamieson, Louise Sime, and Richard A. Phillips
Clim. Past, 18, 381–403, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-18-381-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-18-381-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Sea ice is important for our climate system and for the unique ecosystems it supports. We present a novel way to understand past Antarctic sea-ice ecosystems: using the regurgitated stomach contents of snow petrels, which nest above the ice sheet but feed in the sea ice. During a time when sea ice was more extensive than today (24 000–30 000 years ago), we show that snow petrel diet had varying contributions of fish and krill, which we interpret to show changing sea-ice distribution.
Molly O. Patterson, Richard H. Levy, Denise K. Kulhanek, Tina van de Flierdt, Huw Horgan, Gavin B. Dunbar, Timothy R. Naish, Jeanine Ash, Alex Pyne, Darcy Mandeno, Paul Winberry, David M. Harwood, Fabio Florindo, Francisco J. Jimenez-Espejo, Andreas Läufer, Kyu-Cheul Yoo, Osamu Seki, Paolo Stocchi, Johann P. Klages, Jae Il Lee, Florence Colleoni, Yusuke Suganuma, Edward Gasson, Christian Ohneiser, José-Abel Flores, David Try, Rachel Kirkman, Daleen Koch, and the SWAIS 2C Science Team
Sci. Dril., 30, 101–112, https://doi.org/10.5194/sd-30-101-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/sd-30-101-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
How much of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet will melt and how quickly it will happen when average global temperatures exceed 2 °C is currently unknown. Given the far-reaching and international consequences of Antarctica’s future contribution to global sea level rise, the SWAIS 2C Project was developed in order to better forecast the size and timing of future changes.
Steven Franke, Daniela Jansen, Tobias Binder, John D. Paden, Nils Dörr, Tamara A. Gerber, Heinrich Miller, Dorthe Dahl-Jensen, Veit Helm, Daniel Steinhage, Ilka Weikusat, Frank Wilhelms, and Olaf Eisen
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 763–779, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-763-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-763-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The Northeast Greenland Ice Stream (NEGIS) is the largest ice stream in Greenland. In order to better understand the past and future dynamics of the NEGIS, we present a high-resolution airborne radar data set (EGRIP-NOR-2018) for the onset region of the NEGIS. The survey area is centered at the location of the drill site of the East Greenland Ice-Core Project (EastGRIP), and radar profiles cover both shear margins and are aligned parallel to several flow lines.
Mirjam Schaller and Todd A. Ehlers
Earth Surf. Dynam., 10, 131–150, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-10-131-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-10-131-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Soil production, chemical weathering, and physical erosion rates from the large climate and vegetation gradient of the Chilean Coastal Cordillera (26 to 38° S) are investigated. Rates are generally lowest in the sparsely vegetated and arid north, increase southward toward the Mediterranean climate, and then decrease slightly, or possible stay the same, further south in the temperate humid zone. This trend is compared with global data from similar soil-mantled hillslopes in granitic lithologies.
María H. Toyos, Gisela Winckler, Helge W. Arz, Lester Lembke-Jene, Carina B. Lange, Gerhard Kuhn, and Frank Lamy
Clim. Past, 18, 147–166, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-18-147-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-18-147-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Past export production in the southeast Pacific and its link to Patagonian ice dynamics is unknown. We reconstruct biological productivity changes at the Pacific entrance to the Drake Passage, covering the past 400 000 years. We show that glacial–interglacial variability in export production responds to glaciogenic Fe supply from Patagonia and silica availability due to shifts in oceanic fronts, whereas dust, as a source of lithogenic material, plays a minor role.
Emilija Krsnik, Katharina Methner, Marion Campani, Svetlana Botsyun, Sebastian G. Mutz, Todd A. Ehlers, Oliver Kempf, Jens Fiebig, Fritz Schlunegger, and Andreas Mulch
Solid Earth, 12, 2615–2631, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-12-2615-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-12-2615-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Here we present new surface elevation constraints for the middle Miocene Central Alps based on stable and clumped isotope geochemical analyses. Our reconstructed paleoelevation estimate is supported by isotope-enabled paleoclimate simulations and indicates that the Miocene Central Alps were characterized by a heterogeneous and spatially transient topography with high elevations locally exceeding 4000 m.
Kirstin Übernickel, Jaime Pizarro-Araya, Susila Bhagavathula, Leandro Paulino, and Todd A. Ehlers
Biogeosciences, 18, 5573–5594, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-5573-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-5573-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Animal burrowing is important because it impacts the physical and chemical evolution of Earth’s surface. However, most studies are species specific, and compilations of animal community effects are missing. We present an inventory of the currently known 390 burrowing species for all of Chile along its climate gradient. We observed increasing amounts of excavated material from an area with dry conditions along a gradient towards more humid conditions.
Sean D. Willett, Frédéric Herman, Matthew Fox, Nadja Stalder, Todd A. Ehlers, Ruohong Jiao, and Rong Yang
Earth Surf. Dynam., 9, 1153–1221, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-9-1153-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-9-1153-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
The cooling climate of the last few million years leading into the ice ages has been linked to increasing erosion rates by glaciers. One of the ways to measure this is through mineral cooling ages. In this paper, we investigate potential bias in these data and the methods used to analyse them. We find that the data are not themselves biased but that appropriate methods must be used. Past studies have used appropriate methods and are sound in methodology.
Hemanti Sharma, Todd A. Ehlers, Christoph Glotzbach, Manuel Schmid, and Katja Tielbörger
Earth Surf. Dynam., 9, 1045–1072, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-9-1045-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-9-1045-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We study effects of variable climate–vegetation with different uplift rates on erosion–sedimentation using a landscape evolution modeling approach. Results suggest that regardless of uplift rates, transients in precipitation–vegetation lead to transients in erosion rates in the same direction of change. Vegetation-dependent erosion and sedimentation are influenced by Milankovitch timescale changes in climate, but these transients are superimposed upon tectonically driven uplift rates.
Johannes Sutter, Hubertus Fischer, and Olaf Eisen
The Cryosphere, 15, 3839–3860, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-3839-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-3839-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Projections of global sea-level changes in a warming world require ice-sheet models. We expand the calibration of these models by making use of the internal architecture of the Antarctic ice sheet, which is formed by its evolution over many millennia. We propose that using our novel approach to constrain ice sheet models, we will be able to both sharpen our understanding of past and future sea-level changes and identify weaknesses in the parameterisation of current continental-scale models.
Joschka Geissler, Christoph Mayer, Juilson Jubanski, Ulrich Münzer, and Florian Siegert
The Cryosphere, 15, 3699–3717, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-3699-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-3699-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
The study demonstrates the potential of photogrammetry for analyzing glacier retreat with high spatial resolution. Twenty-three glaciers within the Ötztal Alps are analyzed. We compare photogrammetric and glaciologic mass balances of the Vernagtferner by using the ELA for our density assumption and an UAV survey for a temporal correction of the geodetic mass balances. The results reveal regions of anomalous mass balance and allow estimates of the imbalance between mass balances and ice dynamics.
Lukas Müller, Martin Horwath, Mirko Scheinert, Christoph Mayer, Benjamin Ebermann, Dana Floricioiu, Lukas Krieger, Ralf Rosenau, and Saurabh Vijay
The Cryosphere, 15, 3355–3375, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-3355-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-3355-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Harald Moltke Bræ, a marine-terminating glacier in north-western Greenland, undergoes remarkable surges of episodic character. Our data show that a recent surge from 2013 to 2019 was initiated at the glacier front and exhibits a pronounced seasonality with flow velocities varying by 1 order of magnitude, which has not been observed at Harald Moltke Bræ in this way before. These findings are crucial for understanding surge mechanisms at Harald Moltke Bræ and other marine-terminating glaciers.
Solmaz Mohadjer, Sebastian G. Mutz, Matthew Kemp, Sophie J. Gill, Anatoly Ischuk, and Todd A. Ehlers
Geosci. Commun., 4, 281–295, https://doi.org/10.5194/gc-4-281-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gc-4-281-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Lack of access to science-based natural hazards information impedes the effectiveness of school-based disaster risk reduction education. To address this challenge, we created and classroom tested a series of earthquake education videos that were co-taught by school teachers and Earth scientists in the UK and Tajikistan. Comparison of the results reveals significant differences between students' views on the Earth's interior and why and where earthquakes occur.
Jens O. Herrle, Cornelia Spiegel, Andreas Läufer, and Jean-Pierre Paul de Vera
Polarforschung, 89, 51–55, https://doi.org/10.5194/polf-89-51-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/polf-89-51-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
The Geology and Geophysics working group is one the largest within the German Society of Polar Research. Here, we present an overview of the development of major scientific German polar research programs and locations as well as important white papers from the last decades. This work is based on the contributions of members and institutions, including the Alfred Wegener Institute, the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources and German Universities with polar research programs.
Mirko Scheinert, Christoph Mayer, Martin Horwath, Matthias Braun, Anja Wendt, and Daniel Steinhage
Polarforschung, 89, 57–64, https://doi.org/10.5194/polf-89-57-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/polf-89-57-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Ice sheets, glaciers and further ice-covered areas with their changes as well as interactions with the solid Earth and the ocean are subject of intensive research, especially against the backdrop of global climate change. The resulting questions are of concern to scientists from various disciplines such as geodesy, glaciology, physical geography and geophysics. Thus, the working group "Polar Geodesy and Glaciology", founded in 2013, offers a forum for discussion and stimulating exchange.
Christoph Mayer, Markus Weber, Anja Wendt, and Wilfried Hagg
Polarforschung, 89, 1–7, https://doi.org/10.5194/polf-89-1-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/polf-89-1-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Only five small glaciers exist in the German part of the Alps. They are too small to play an important role in the regional hydrological system, but are significant remnants of the earlier glaciation of the northern Alps. Therefore, they have been mapped already in the 19th century and are monitored since about 1950. A survey in 2018 documents the recent status of the glaciers. The synthesis of the long term monitoring and an estimate of the future for these small ice bodies is presented here.
David A. Lilien, Daniel Steinhage, Drew Taylor, Frédéric Parrenin, Catherine Ritz, Robert Mulvaney, Carlos Martín, Jie-Bang Yan, Charles O'Neill, Massimo Frezzotti, Heinrich Miller, Prasad Gogineni, Dorthe Dahl-Jensen, and Olaf Eisen
The Cryosphere, 15, 1881–1888, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-1881-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-1881-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We collected radar data between EDC, an ice core spanning ~800 000 years, and BELDC, the site chosen for a new
oldest icecore at nearby Little Dome C. These data allow us to identify 50 % older internal horizons than previously traced in the area. We fit a model to the ages of those horizons at BELDC to determine the age of deep ice there. We find that there is likely to be 1.5 Myr old ice ~265 m above the bed, with sufficient resolution to preserve desired climatic information.
Coen Hofstede, Sebastian Beyer, Hugh Corr, Olaf Eisen, Tore Hattermann, Veit Helm, Niklas Neckel, Emma C. Smith, Daniel Steinhage, Ole Zeising, and Angelika Humbert
The Cryosphere, 15, 1517–1535, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-1517-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-1517-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Support Force Glacier rapidly flows into Filcher Ice Shelf of Antarctica. As we know little about this glacier and its subglacial drainage, we used seismic energy to map the transition area from grounded to floating ice where a drainage channel enters the ocean cavity. Soft sediments close to the grounding line are probably transported by this drainage channel. The constant ice thickness over the steeply dipping seabed of the ocean cavity suggests a stable transition and little basal melting.
Stefan Kowalewski, Veit Helm, Elizabeth Mary Morris, and Olaf Eisen
The Cryosphere, 15, 1285–1305, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-1285-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-1285-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
This study presents estimates of total mass input for the Pine Island Glacier (PIG) over the period 2005–2014 from airborne radar measurements. Our analysis reveals a total mass input similar to an earlier estimate for the period 1985–2009 and same area. This suggests a stationary total mass input contrary to the accelerated mass loss of PIG over the past decades. However, we also find that its uncertainty is highly sensitive to the geostatistical assumptions required for its calculation.
Romana Melis, Lucilla Capotondi, Fiorenza Torricella, Patrizia Ferretti, Andrea Geniram, Jong Kuk Hong, Gerhard Kuhn, Boo-Keun Khim, Sookwan Kim, Elisa Malinverno, Kyu Cheul Yoo, and Ester Colizza
J. Micropalaeontol., 40, 15–35, https://doi.org/10.5194/jm-40-15-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/jm-40-15-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Integrated micropaleontological (planktic and benthic foraminifera, diatoms, and silicoflagellates) analysis, together with textural and geochemical results of a deep-sea core from the Hallett Ridge (northwestern Ross Sea), provides new data for late Quaternary (23–2 ka) paleoenvironmental and paleoceanographic reconstructions of this region. Results allow us to identify three time intervals: the glacial–deglacial transition, the deglacial period, and the interglacial period.
Autun Purser, Simon Dreutter, Huw Griffiths, Laura Hehemann, Kerstin Jerosch, Axel Nordhausen, Dieter Piepenburg, Claudio Richter, Henning Schröder, and Boris Dorschel
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 13, 609–615, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-609-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-609-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
This dataset comprises 26-megapixel seafloor images collected from below ice and steeply sloped regions of the Southern Ocean (the western Weddell Sea; the Powell Basin; and the rapidly shallowing, iceberg-scoured Nachtigaller Shoal). These data were collected with the Ocean Floor Observation and Bathymetry System (OFOBS), an advanced towed camera platform incorporating various sonar devices to aid in hazard avoidance and seafloor mapping, for use in challenging, high-relief seafloor areas.
Mirjam Schaller, Igor Dal Bo, Todd A. Ehlers, Anja Klotzsche, Reinhard Drews, Juan Pablo Fuentes Espoz, and Jan van der Kruk
SOIL, 6, 629–647, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-6-629-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-6-629-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
In this study geophysical observations from ground-penetrating radar with pedolith physical and geochemical properties from pedons excavated in four study areas of the climate and ecological gradient in the Chilean Coastal Cordillera are combined. Findings suggest that profiles with ground-penetrating radar along hillslopes can be used to infer lateral thickness variations in pedolith horizons and to some degree physical and chemical variations with depth.
Maria-Elena Vorrath, Juliane Müller, Lorena Rebolledo, Paola Cárdenas, Xiaoxu Shi, Oliver Esper, Thomas Opel, Walter Geibert, Práxedes Muñoz, Christian Haas, Gerhard Kuhn, Carina B. Lange, Gerrit Lohmann, and Gesine Mollenhauer
Clim. Past, 16, 2459–2483, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-16-2459-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-16-2459-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
We tested the applicability of the organic biomarker IPSO25 for sea ice reconstructions in the industrial era at the western Antarctic Peninsula. We successfully evaluated our data with satellite sea ice observations. The comparison with marine and ice core records revealed that sea ice interpretations must consider climatic and sea ice dynamics. Sea ice biomarker production is mainly influenced by the Southern Annular Mode, while the El Niño–Southern Oscillation seems to have a minor impact.
Cited articles
Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung: Neumayer III and Kohnen Station in Antarctica operated by the Alfred Wegener Institute, Journal of large-scale research facilities, 2, A85, https://doi.org/10.17815/jlsrf-2-152, 2016. a
Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung:
Polar Research and Supply Vessel POLARSTERN Operated by the
Alfred-Wegener-Institute, Journal of large-scale research facilities, 3, A119,
https://doi.org/10.17815/jlsrf-3-163, 2017. a, b, c, d
Arndt, J. E. and Kuhn, G.: Profile of sediment echo sounding during POLARSTERN
cruise PS96 (ANT-XXXI/2 FROSN) with links to ParaSound data files,
PANGAEA [data set], https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.860442, 2016. a
Arndt, J. E., Schenke, H. W., Jakobsson, M., Nitsche, F.-O., Buys,
G., Goleby, B., Rebesco, M., Bohoyo, F., Hong, J. K., Black,
J., Greku, R., Udintsev, G. B., Barrios, F., Reynoso-Peralta,
W., Taisei, M., and Wigley, R.: The International Bathymetric Chart of the Southern Ocean (IBCSO) Version 1.0–A new bathymetric compilation covering circum‐Antarctic waters, Geophys. Res. Lett., 40, 3111–3117, 2013. a, b, c, d
Arndt, J. E., Hillenbrand, C.-D., Grobe, H., Kuhn, G., and Wacker, L.: Evidence
for a dynamic grounding line in outer Filchner Trough, Antarctica, until the
early Holocene, Geology, 45, 1035–1038, https://doi.org/10.1130/G39398.1, 2017. a, b, c
Arndt, J. E., Larter, R. D., Hillenbrand, C.-D., Sørli, S. H., Forwick, M., Smith, J. A., and Wacker, L.: Past ice sheet–seabed interactions in the northeastern Weddell Sea embayment, Antarctica, The Cryosphere, 14, 2115–2135, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-2115-2020, 2020. a, b
Clark, C. D.: Mega-scale glacial lineations and cross-cutting ice-flow
landforms, Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 18, 1–29,
https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.3290180102, 1993. a, b
Clark, C. D., Hughes, A. L., Greenwood, S. L., Spagnolo, M., and Ng, F. S. L.:
Size and shape characteristics of drumlins, derived from a large sample, and
associated scaling laws, Quaternary Sci. Rev., 28, 677–692,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2008.08.035, 2009. a, b
Damaske, D. and Kuhn, G.: Profile of sediment echo sounding during POLARSTERN
cruise PS82 (ANT-XXIX/9) with links to ParaSound data files,
PANGAEA [data set], https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.837893, 2014. a
Davies, B., Hambrey, M., Smellie, J., Carrivick, J., and Glasser, N.: Antarctic
Peninsula ice sheet evolution during the Cenozoic Era, Quaternary Sci. Rev., 31, 30–66, 2012. a
Davies, D., Bingham, R. G., Graham, A. G. C., Spagnolo, M., Dutrieux, P.,
Vaughan, D. G., Jenkins, A., and Nitsche, F. O.: High-resolution
sub-ice-shelf seafloor records of twentieth century ungrounding and retreat
of Pine Island Glacier, West Antarctica,
J. Geophys. Res.-Earth, 122, 1698–1714, https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JF004311,
2017. a
Dowdeswell, J., Evans, J., Mugford, R., Griffiths, G., McPhail, S., Millard,
N., Stevenson, P., Brandon, M., Banks, C., Heywood, K., Price, M., Dodd, P.,
Jenkins, A., Nicholls, K., Hayes, D., Abrahamsen, E., Tyler, P., Bett, B.,
Jones, D., Wadhams, P., Wilkinson, J., Stansfield, K., and Ackley, S.:
Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and investigations of the ice–ocean
interface in Antarctic and Arctic waters, J. Glaciol., 54,
661–672, https://doi.org/10.3189/002214308786570773, 2008. a
Eisen, O., Hofstede, C., Diez, A., Kristoffersen, Y., Lambrecht, A., Mayer, C.,
Blenkner, R., and Hilmarsson, S.: On-ice vibroseis and snowstreamer systems
for geoscientific research, Polar Sci., 9, 51–65,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polar.2014.10.003, 2015. a, b
Ely, J., Clark, C., Spagnolo, M., Stokes, C., Greenwood, S., Hughes, A.,
Dunlop, P., and Hess, D.: Do subglacial bedforms comprise a size and shape
continuum?, Geomorphology, 257, 108–119, 2016. a
Engelhardt, H. and Kamb, B.: Basal hydraulic system of a West Antarctic ice
stream: constraints from borehole observations, J. Glaciol., 43,
207–230, https://doi.org/10.3189/S0022143000003166, 1997. a
Epshtein, O. G.: Basal (basic) moraines: Problem of the identification and
principles of new classification, Lithol. Miner. Resour., 52,
125–146, https://doi.org/10.1134/s0024490217010023, 2017. a
Evans, I. S.: Abraded rock landforms (whalebacks) developed under ice streams
in mountain areas, Ann. Glaciol., 22, 9–16,
https://doi.org/10.3189/1996AoG22-1-9-16, 1996. a, b
Favier, L., Pattyn, F., Berger, S., and Drews, R.: Dynamic influence of pinning points on marine ice-sheet stability: a numerical study in Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica, The Cryosphere, 10, 2623–2635, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-10-2623-2016, 2016. a, b
Gales, J. A., Larter, R. D., and Leat, P. T.: Iceberg ploughmarks and
associated sediment ridges on the southern Weddell Sea margin, edited by:
Dowdeswell, J. A., Canals, M., Jakobsson, M., Todd, B. J.,
Dowdeswell, E. K., and Hogan, K., in: Atlas of submarine glacial landforms:
modern, Quaternary and ancient. Geological Society, London, Memoirs, 46,
289–290, https://doi.org/10.1144/M46.11, 2016. a
Graham, A. G. C., Larter, R. D., Gohl, K., Hillenbrand, C.-D., Smith, J. A.,
and Kuhn, G.: Bedform signature of a West Antarctic palaeo-ice stream reveals
a multi-temporal record of flow and substrate control, Quaternary Sci. Rev., 28, 2774–2793, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2009.07.003, 2009. a, b
Graham, A. G. C., Jakobsson, M., Nitsche, F. O., Larter, R. D., Anderson,
J. B., Hillenbrand, C.-D., Gohl, K., Klages, J. P., Smith, J. A., and
Jenkins, A.: Submarine glacial-landform distribution across the West
Antarctic margin, from grounding line to slope: the Pine Island–Thwaites
ice-stream system, edited by: Dowdeswell, J. A., Canals, M., Jakobsson, M.,
Todd, B. J., Dowdeswell, E. K., and Hogan, K., in: Atlas of submarine
glacial landforms: modern, Quaternary and ancient. Geological Society,
London, Memoirs, 46, 493–500, https://doi.org/10.1144/M46.173, 2016a. a, b
Graham, A. G. C., Nitsche, F. O., Larter, R. D., and Gohl, K.: Submarine
landform assemblage produced beneath the Dotson-Getz palaeo-ice stream, West
Antarctica, edited by: Dowdeswell, J. A., Canals, M., Jakobsson, M.,
Todd, B. J., Dowdeswell, E. K., and Hogan, K., in: Atlas of submarine
glacial landforms: modern, Quaternary and ancient. Geological Society,
London, Memoirs, 46, 345–348, https://doi.org/10.1144/M46.176, 2016b. a
Greenwood, S. L., Simkins, L. M., Halberstadt, A. R. W., Prothro, L. O., and
Anderson, J. B.: Holocene reconfiguration and readvance of the East Antarctic
Ice Sheet, Nat. Commun., 9, 1–12, 2018. a
Grobe, H. and Mackensen, A.: Late Quaternary climatic cycles as recorded in
sediments from the Antarctic continental margin, in: Antarctic Research
Series, 56, 349–376, https://doi.org/10.1029/AR056p0349, 1992. a, b
Hattermann, T.: Antarctic Thermocline Dynamics along a Narrow Shelf with
Easterly Winds, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 48, 2419–2443,
https://doi.org/10.1175/JPO-D-18-0064.1, 2018. a
Hattermann, T., Smedsrud, L. H., Nøst, O. A., Lilly, J. M., and
Galton-Fenzi, B. K.: Eddy-resolving simulations of the Fimbul Ice Shelf
cavity circulation: Basal melting and exchange with open ocean, Ocean
Model., 82, 28–44, 2014. a
Hillenbrand, C.-D., Smith, J. A., Hodell, D. A., Greaves, M., Poole, C. R.,
Kender, S., Williams, M., Andersen, T. J., Jernas, P. E., Elderfield, H.,
Klages, J. P., Roberts, S. J., Gohl, K., Larter, R. D., and Kuhn, G.: West Antarctic Ice Sheet retreat driven by Holocene warm water
incursions, Nature, 547, 43–48, 2017. a
Hodgson, D. A., Hogan, K., Smith, J. M., Smith, J. A., Hillenbrand, C.-D., Graham, A. G. C., Fretwell, P., Allen, C., Peck, V., Arndt, J.-E., Dorschel, B., Hübscher, C., Smith, A. M., and Larter, R.: Deglaciation and future stability of the Coats Land ice margin, Antarctica, The Cryosphere, 12, 2383–2399, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-2383-2018, 2018. a
Hodgson, D. A., Jordan, T. A., De Rydt, J., Fretwell, P. T., Seddon, S. A., Becker, D., Hogan, K. A., Smith, A. M., and Vaughan, D. G.: Past and future dynamics of the Brunt Ice Shelf from seabed bathymetry and ice shelf geometry, The Cryosphere, 13, 545–556, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-545-2019, 2019. a
Jacobs, S. S., Hellmer, H. H., and Jenkins, A.: Antarctic ice sheet melting in
the Southeast Pacific, Geophys. Res. Lett., 23, 957–960, 1996. a
Jacobs, S. S., Jenkins, A., Giulivi, C. F., and Dutrieux, P.: Stronger ocean
circulation and increased melting under Pine Island Glacier ice shelf, Nat.
Geosci., 4, 519–523, 2011. a
Jakobsson, M., Anderson, J. B., Nitsche, F. O., Gyllencreutz, R., Kirshner,
A. E., Kirchner, N., O'Regan, M., Mohammad, R., and Eriksson, B.: Ice sheet
retreat dynamics inferred from glacial morphology of the central Pine Island
Bay Trough, West Antarctica, Quaternary Sci. Rev., 38, 1–10,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2011.12.017, 2012. a
Jenkins, A., Dutrieux, P., Jacobs, S. S., McPhail, S. D., Perrett, J. R., Webb,
A. T., and White, D.: Observations beneath Pine Island Glacier in West
Antarctica and implications for its retreat, Nat. Geosci., 3, 468–472,
2010. a
Karl, H., Reimnitz, E., and Edwards, B.: Extent and nature of Ross Sea
unconformity in the western Ross Sea, Antarctica, in: The Antarctic Continental Margin: Geology and Geophysics of Western Ross Sea, Earth Sci. Ser., Volume 5B, edited by: Cooper, A. K. and Davey, F. J., Circum-Pacific Councel for Energy and Mineral Resources, Houston, Texas, 77–92, 1987. a
King, E. C., Hindmarsh, R. C. A., and Stokes, C. R.: Formation of mega-scale
glacial lineations observed beneath a West Antarctic ice stream, Nat.
Geosci., 2, 585–588, https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo581, 2009. a
Klages, J. P., Kuhn, G., Graham, A. G. C., Hillenbrand, C. D., Smith, J. A.,
Nitsche, F. O., Larter, R. D., and Gohl, K.: Palaeo-ice stream pathways and
retreat style in the easternmost Amundsen Sea Embayment, West Antarctica,
revealed by combined multibeam bathymetric and seismic data, Geomorphology,
245, 207–222, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2015.05.020, 2015. a, b
Klages, J. P., Kuhn, G., Hillenbrand, C.-D., Smith, J. A., Graham, A. G. C.,
Nitsche, F. O., Frederichs, T., Jernas, P. E., Gohl, K., and Wacker, L.:
Limited grounding-line advance onto the West Antarctic continental shelf in
the easternmost Amundsen Sea Embayment during the last glacial period, Plos
one, 12, e0181593, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0181593, 2017. a
Knust, R.: Station list and links to master tracks in different resolutions of
POLARSTERN cruise PS82 (ANT-XXIX/9), Cape Town – Cape Town, 2013-12-19 –
2014-03-05, PANGAEA [data set], https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.832168, 2014. a
Kristoffersen, Y., Hofstede, C., Diez, A., Blenkner, R., Lambrecht, A., and
Mayer, C., and Eisen, O.: Reassembling Gondwana: A new high quality constraint
from vibroseis exploration of the sub-ice shelf geology of the East Antarctic
continental margin, J. Geophys. Res.-Sol. Ea., 119,
9171–9182, https://doi.org/10.1002/2014jb011479, 2014. a, b
Larter, R. D., Hogan, K. A., Hillenbrand, C.-D., Smith, J. A., Batchelor, C. L., Cartigny, M., Tate, A. J., Kirkham, J. D., Roseby, Z. A., Kuhn, G., Graham, A. G. C., and Dowdeswell, J. A.: Subglacial hydrological control on flow of an Antarctic Peninsula palaeo-ice stream, The Cryosphere, 13, 1583–1596, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-1583-2019, 2019. a, b
Lavoie, C., Domack, E. W., Pettit, E. C., Scambos, T. A., Larter, R. D., Schenke, H.-W., Yoo, K. C., Gutt, J., Wellner, J., Canals, M., Anderson, J. B., and Amblas, D.: Configuration of the Northern Antarctic Peninsula Ice Sheet at LGM based on a new synthesis of seabed imagery, The Cryosphere, 9, 613–629, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-613-2015, 2015. a
Lien, R., Solheim, A., Elverhøi, A., and Rokoengen, K.: Iceberg scouring and
sea bed morphology on the eastern Weddell Sea shelf, Antarctica, Polar
Res., 7, 43–57,
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-8369.1989.tb00603.x, 1989. a
Livingstone, S., Ó Cofaigh, C., Stokes, C. R., Hillenbrand, C.-D., Vieli, A.,
and Jamieson, S. S.: Glacial geomorphology of Marguerite Bay Palaeo-Ice
stream, western Antarctic Peninsula, J. Maps, 9, 558–572,
https://doi.org/10.1080/17445647.2013.829411, 2013. a, b, c
Livingstone, S. J., Ó Cofaigh, C., Stokes, C. R., Hillenbrand, C.-D.,
Vieli, A., and Jamieson, S. S. R.: Antarctic palaeo-ice streams,
Earth-Sci. Rev., 111, 90–128, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2011.10.003,
2012. a, b
Lowe, A. L. and Anderson, J. B.: Evidence for abundant subglacial meltwater
beneath the paleo-ice sheet in Pine Island Bay, Antarctica, J. Glaciol., 49, 125–138, https://doi.org/10.3189/172756503781830971, 2003. a, b, c
Mackintosh, A., Golledge, N., Domack, E., Dunbar, R., Leventer, A., White, D.,
Pollard, D., DeConto, R., Fink, D., Zwartz, D., Gore, D., and Lavoie, C.: Retreat of the East
Antarctic ice sheet during the last glacial termination, Nat. Geosci.,
4, 195–202, 2011. a
Mosola, A. B. and Anderson, J. B.: Expansion and rapid retreat of the West
Antarctic Ice Sheet in eastern Ross Sea: possible consequence of
over-extended ice streams?, Quaternary Sci. Rev., 25, 2177–2196,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2005.12.013, 2006. a
Neckel, N., Drews, R., Rack, W., and Steinhage, D.: Basal melting at the
Ekström Ice Shelf, Antarctica, estimated from mass flux divergence,
Ann. Glaciol., 53, 294–302, https://doi.org/10.3189/2012AoG60A167, 2012. a, b
Nicholls, K. W., Abrahamsen, E. P., Buck, J. J. H., Dodd, P. A., Goldblatt, C.,
Griffiths, G., Heywood, K. J., Hughes, N. E., Kaletzky, A., Lane-Serff,
G. F., McPhail, S. D., Millard, N. W., Oliver, K. I. C., Perrett, J., Price,
M. R., Pudsey, C. J., Saw, K., Stansfield, K., Stott, M. J., Wadhams, P.,
Webb, A. T., and Wilkinson, J. P.: Measurements beneath an Antarctic ice
shelf using an autonomous underwater vehicle, Geophys. Res. Lett.,
33, L08612, https://doi.org/10.1029/2006GL025998, 2006. a
Nitsche, F. O., Gohl, K., Larter, R. D., Hillenbrand, C.-D., Kuhn, G., Smith, J. A., Jacobs, S., Anderson, J. B., and Jakobsson, M.: Paleo ice flow and subglacial meltwater dynamics in Pine Island Bay, West Antarctica, The Cryosphere, 7, 249–262, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-7-249-2013, 2013. a, b, c
Nøst, O. A.: Measurements of ice thickness and seabed topography under the
Fimbul Ice Shelf, Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica, J. Geophys.
Res.-Oceans, 109, C10, https://doi.org/10.1029/2004JC002277, 2004. a, b, c
Ó Cofaigh, C. and Stokes, C. R.: Reconstructing ice-sheet dynamics from
subglacial sediments and landforms: introduction and overview, Earth Surf.
Proc. Land., 33, 495–502, https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.1672, 2008. a
Ó Cofaigh, C., Dowdeswell, J. A., Allen, C. S., Hiemstra, J. F., Pudsey,
C. J., Evans, J., and Evans, D.: Flow dynamics and till genesis associated
with a marine-based Antarctic palaeo-ice stream, Quaternary Sci. Rev.,
24, 709–740, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2004.10.006, 2005. a
Paolo, F. S., Fricker, H. A., and Padman, L.: Volume loss from Antarctic ice
shelves is accelerating, Science, 348, 327–331, 2015. a
Patterson, M. O., Levy, R. H., Kulhanek, D. K., van de Flierdt, T., Horgan, H., Dunbar, G. B., Naish, T. R., Ash, J., Pyne, A., Mandeno, D., Winberry, P., Harwood, D. M., Florindo, F., Jimenez-Espejo, F. J., Läufer, A., Yoo, K.-C., Seki, O., Stocchi, P., Klages, J. P., Lee, J. I., Colleoni, F., Suganuma, Y., Gasson, E., Ohneiser, C., Flores, J.-A., Try, D., Kirkman, R., Koch, D., and the SWAIS 2C Science Team: Sensitivity of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet to +2 °C (SWAIS 2C), Sci. Dril., 30, 101–112, https://doi.org/10.5194/sd-30-101-2022, 2022. a
Rignot, E., Jacobs, S., Mouginot, J., and Scheuchl, B.: Ice-Shelf Melting
Around Antarctica, Science, 341, 266–270, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1235798,
2013. a
Roberts, D. H. and Long, A. J.: Streamlined bedrock terrain and fast ice flow,
Jakobshavns Isbrae, West Greenland: implications for ice stream and ice sheet
dynamics, Boreas, 34, 25–42, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1502-3885.2005.tb01002.x, 2005. a
Schannwell, C., Drews, R., Ehlers, T. A., Eisen, O., Mayer, C., Malinen, M., Smith, E. C., and Eisermann, H.: Quantifying the effect of ocean bed properties on ice sheet geometry over 40 000 years with a full-Stokes model, The Cryosphere, 14, 3917–3934, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-3917-2020, 2020. a, b, c, d, e, f
Schröder, M.: Station list and links to master tracks in different
resolutions of POLARSTERN cruise PS96 (ANT-XXXI/2 FROSN), Cape Town – Punta
Arenas, 2015-12-06 – 2016-02-14, PANGAEA [data set], https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.859021, 2016. a
Siegert, M. J., Taylor, J., and Payne, A. J.: Spectral roughness of subglacial
topography and implications for former ice-sheet dynamics in East Antarctica,
Global Planet. Change, 45, 249–263,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloplacha.2004.09.008, 2005. a, b
Simkins, L. M., Anderson, J. B., and Greenwood, S. L.: Glacial landform
assemblage reveals complex retreat of grounded ice in the Ross Sea,
Antarctica, edited by: Dowdeswell, J. A., Canals, M., Jakobsson, M.,
Todd, B. J., Dowdeswell, E. K., and Hogan, K., in: Atlas of submarine
glacial landforms: modern, Quaternary and ancient. Geological Society,
London, Memoirs, 46, 353–356, https://doi.org/10.1144/M46.168, 2016. a
Smith, A., Murray, T., Nicholls, K., Makinson, K., Adalgeirsdóttir, G.,
Behar, A., and Vaughan, D.: Rapid erosion, drumlin formation, and changing
hydrology beneath an Antarctic ice stream, Geology, 35, 127,
https://doi.org/10.1130/g23036a.1, 2007. a
Smith, E. C., Kuhn, G., Gaedicke, C., Drews, R., Ehlers, T. A., Franke, D., Hofstede, C. M., Lambrecht, A., Läufer, A., Mayer, C., Tiedemann, R., and Eisen, O.:
Sea floor bathymetry under Ekström Ice Shelf, Antarctica, from a compilation of seismic vibroseis data,
https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.907951,
PANGAEA [data set], 2019. a
Smith, E. C., Hattermann, T., Kuhn, G., Gaedicke, C., Berger, S., Drews, R.,
Ehlers, T. A., Franke, D., Gromig, R., Hofstede, C., Lambrecht, A.,
Läufer, A., Mayer, C., Tiedemann, R., Wilhelms, F., and Eisen, O.:
Detailed seismic bathymetry beneath Ekström Ice Shelf, Antarctica:
Implications for glacial history and ice-ocean interaction, Geophys. Res. Lett., 47, e2019GL086187, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GL086187, 2020. a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k
Smith, E. C., Kuhn, G., Gaedicke, C., Drews, R., Ehlers, T. A., Franke, D., Hofstede, C. M., Lambrecht, A., Läufer, A., Mayer, C., Tiedemann, R., and Eisen, O.:
Sea floor depth under Ekström Ice Shelf, Antarctica, from seismic vibroseis surveys 2010–2018,
https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.931928,
PANGAEA [data set], 2021.
a
Stokes, C. R. and Clark, C. D.: Geomorphological criteria for identifying
Pleistocene ice streams, Ann. Glaciol., 28, 67–74,
https://doi.org/10.3189/172756499781821625, 1999. a
Stuart, K. and Long, D.: Tracking large tabular icebergs using the SeaWinds
Ku-band microwave scatterometer, Deep-Sea Res. Pt. II, 58, 1285–1300, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2010.11.004, 2011. a
Tiedemann, R. and Müller, J.: Expedition Programme PS128,
Expedition Programme PS128, Bremerhaven, Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, 34 p., 2021. a
Tulaczyk, S., Kamb, B., Scherer, R. P., and Engelhardt, H. F.: Sedimentary
processes at the base of a West Antarctic ice stream; constraints from
textural and compositional properties of subglacial debris, J.
Sediment. Res., 68, 487–496, https://doi.org/10.2110/jsr.68.487, 1998. a
Wellner, J. S., Lowe, A. L., Shipp, S. S., and Anderson, J. B.: Distribution of
glacial geomorphic features on the Antarctic continental shelf and
correlation with substrate: implications for ice behavior, J. Glaciol., 47, 397–411, https://doi.org/10.3189/172756501781832043, 2001. a, b, c, d
Winkelmann, D., Jokat, W., Jensen, L., and Schenke, H.-W.: Submarine end
moraines on the continental shelf off NE Greenland – Implications for
Lateglacial dynamics, Quaternary Sci. Rev., 29, 1069–1077,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2010.02.002, 2010. a, b
Short summary
This study combines a variety of geophysical measurements in front of and beneath the Ekström Ice Shelf in order to identify and interpret geomorphological evidences of past ice sheet flow, extent and retreat.
The maximal extent of grounded ice in this region was 11 km away from the continental shelf break.
The thickness of palaeo-ice on the calving front around the LGM was estimated to be at least 305 to 320 m.
We provide essential boundary conditions for palaeo-ice-sheet models.
This study combines a variety of geophysical measurements in front of and beneath the Ekström...
