Ground-penetrating radar evidence of refrozen meltwater in the firn column of Larsen C Ice Shelf
Abstract
Firn densification, which has been strongly implicated in ice shelf collapse, can occur rapidly by the percolation and refreezing of surface meltwater. This process reduces the permeability of the firn column, potentially establishing a positive feedback between densification and the occurrence of surface meltwater ponds, and may ultimately facilitate fracturing associated with shelf collapse. Meltwater ponds on Larsen C's Cabinet (CI) and Whirlwind (WI) inlets form where foehn winds reach and influence the shelf surface. While associated zones of refrozen meltwater are strongly evidenced in borehole optical televiewing (OPTV) and seismic refraction data, the sparsity of these observations limits insight into the dimensions of these zones. Here, we present highlights from an 800-km archive of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) profiles acquired by the MIDAS project on CI and WI during November-December 2015. In the upstream reaches of CI and WI, stratified firn layers are abruptly truncated by zones of diminished GPR reflectivity. These initiate 5 m beneath the surface and extend to a depth of 30 m. Volumes appear to exceed 6 km3 (CI) and 1 km3 (WI); these are underestimates, established only where there is GPR control. The horizontal distribution of these zones correlates with the pattern of reduced backscatter in SAR images, supporting their association with meltwater ponds. GPR reflectivity models, derived from OPTV density trends, suggest reduced GPR wavespeeds (as do GPR velocity analyses) and dielectric contrasts consistent with homogenised and densified firn. A firn density model supports the ability of meltwater ponds to form periodically in Cabinet Inlet and subsequently homogenise the density of the firn column. Our observations suggest that ice shelves affected by surface melt and ponding can contain spatially extensive bodies of ice that are warmer and denser than assumed so far, with significant implications for ice shelf flow and fracturing.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2017
- Bibcode:
- 2017AGUFM.C51B0973H
- Keywords:
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- 0728 Ice shelves;
- CRYOSPHERE;
- 0746 Lakes;
- CRYOSPHERE;
- 0762 Mass balance 0764 Energy balance;
- CRYOSPHERE;
- 0774 Dynamics;
- CRYOSPHERE