Articles | Volume 16, issue 9
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-3575-2022
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-3575-2022
Research article
 | 
02 Sep 2022
Research article |  | 02 Sep 2022

Persistent, extensive channelized drainage modeled beneath Thwaites Glacier, West Antarctica

Alexander O. Hager, Matthew J. Hoffman, Stephen F. Price, and Dustin M. Schroeder

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Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
ED: Publish subject to revisions (further review by editor and referees) (11 Mar 2022) by Kang Yang
AR by Alexander Hager on behalf of the Authors (22 Apr 2022)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (25 Apr 2022) by Kang Yang
RR by Douglas Brinkerhoff (09 May 2022)
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (13 May 2022)
ED: Publish subject to revisions (further review by editor and referees) (05 Jun 2022) by Kang Yang
AR by Alexander Hager on behalf of the Authors (24 Jun 2022)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (28 Jun 2022) by Kang Yang
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (16 Jul 2022)
RR by Douglas Brinkerhoff (26 Jul 2022)
ED: Publish subject to technical corrections (08 Aug 2022) by Kang Yang
AR by Alexander Hager on behalf of the Authors (10 Aug 2022)  Author's response   Manuscript 

Post-review adjustments

AA: Author's adjustment | EA: Editor approval
AA by Alexander Hager on behalf of the Authors (29 Aug 2022)   Author's adjustment   Manuscript
EA: Adjustments approved (30 Aug 2022) by Kang Yang
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Short summary
The presence of water beneath glaciers is a control on glacier speed and ocean-caused melting, yet it has been unclear whether sizable volumes of water can exist beneath Antarctic glaciers or how this water may flow along the glacier bed. We use computer simulations, supported by observations, to show that enough water exists at the base of Thwaites Glacier, Antarctica, to form "rivers" beneath the glacier. These rivers likely moderate glacier speed and may influence its rate of retreat.