Exploring under the East Antarctic Ice Sheet with new aerogeophysical surveys over the Wilkes Subglacial Basin, the Transantarctic Mountains and Dome C

Abstract

As we enter the IPY geological boundary conditions for the stability of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS) remain largely unknown. During the 2005/06 field season a major new aerogeophysical survey was performed over the Wilkes Subglacial Basin, the Transantarctic Mountains and Dome C. Over 60,000 km of new airborne radar, aeromagnetic and aerogravity data were collected. We will describe the survey layout and methodologies and present new geophysical images as a tool to address the highly contentious stability of the EAIS during warmer than present palaeoclimates, the underlying crustal structure, and to study subglacial lake