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G-Cubed: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems; an electronic journal of the Earth sciences

 

Keywords

  • gravity
  • aerogeophysics
  • Antarctica
  • Thwaites Glacier
  • Amundsen Sea Embayment

Index Terms

  • Cryosphere: Remote sensing
  • Geodesy and Gravity: Instruments and techniques
  • Geodesy and Gravity: Gravity anomalies and Earth structure
Abstract
Cited By (1)
 

Abstract

First airborne gravity results over the Thwaites Glacier catchment, West Antarctica

Theresa M. Diehl

Institute for Geophysics, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin, 10100 Burnet Road (R2200), Austin, Texas 78758-4445, USA

John W. Holt

Institute for Geophysics, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin, 10100 Burnet Road (R2200), Austin, Texas 78758-4445, USA

Donald D. Blankenship

Institute for Geophysics, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin, 10100 Burnet Road (R2200), Austin, Texas 78758-4445, USA

Duncan A. Young

Institute for Geophysics, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin, 10100 Burnet Road (R2200), Austin, Texas 78758-4445, USA

Tom A. Jordan

British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK

Fausto Ferraccioli

British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK

Recent satellite observations of Thwaites Glacier in the Amundsen Sea Embayment, West Antarctica, have shown that the glacier is changing rapidly. The causes of its dynamic behavior are uncertain but are of concern because this glacier has the most negative mass balance of all Antarctic glaciers. To better understand Thwaites Glacier's subglacial setting, we conducted a multi-instrumented aerogeophysical survey of its catchment and present here the first gravity results. We employed a new gravimeter, and it performed well despite extreme conditions and an unusual survey design. The unleveled free-air gravity anomalies have a 2.3 mGal RMS error and a 9 km spatial resolution. Despite slightly higher than standard noise levels, the free-air anomalies correlate well with radar-derived subglacial topography. The new airborne gravity data assist in interpreting radar-identified bedrock features and are an ideal basis for future studies of subglacial geology and its control on the dynamics of Thwaites Glacier.

Received 29 October 2007; accepted 6 February 2008; published 5 April 2008.

Citation: Diehl, T. M., J. W. Holt, D. D. Blankenship, D. A. Young, T. A. Jordan, and F. Ferraccioli (2008), First airborne gravity results over the Thwaites Glacier catchment, West Antarctica, Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 9, Q04011, doi:10.1029/2007GC001878.

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