AGU: Geophysical Research Letters

 

Editors' Highlight

Two large subglacial lakes identified in Antarctica

Since the first evidence for subglacial Antarctic lakes was found in 1970, more than 145 such lakes have been identified in Antarctica, ranging in length from 1 to 280 km. The deepest of these lakes are believed to contain diverse exotic ecosystems that were sealed when ice flowed over them 10–35 million years ago. Bell et al. (2006) discovered the size and hypothesized on the origins of two large subglacial lakes in East Antarctica on the flanks of the Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains. On the basis of evidence from satellite imagery, aerogeophysical data, laser-based ice surface altimetry, radar studies, and ground truth studies, they found that one lake, at 90ºE, is second only to subglacial Lake Vostok in extent, with a surface area of 2000 km², similar in area to the state of Rhode Island. The other lies beneath Sovetskaya Station and covers a 1600 km² area. Both at least 900 meters deep, the lakes' large depths, along with their orientations, elongated shapes, and their positions on the western edge of the foreland basin abutting Lake Vostok, suggest that like Lake Vostok, they are of tectonic origin.

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