1 research outputs found
Near-margin ice thickness from a portable radar: implications for subglacial water routing, Leverett Glacier, Greenland
Ice thickness measurements near the margin of the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) are
relatively sparse, presenting issues for modelling ice flow dynamics, ice sheet change and
subglacial hydrology. We acquired ice thickness data at Leverett Glacier, western
Greenland, using a highly portable, low power commercially-available ice-penetrating
radar operating at 10-80 MHz. Imaging of the bed to depths of 270 m was possible using
this system. Our ice thickness measurements were incorporated into the BedMachine
model of bed elevation created using mass conservation methods. The new data
significantly modified the modelled ice thickness and routing of subglacial water in both
the Leverett and adjacent Russell Glacier. Though changes to the modelled basal
topography and subglacial hydrology are consistent with observations, our new data
unrealistically reduced the overall size of the Leverett hydrological catchment. Additional
ice thickness measurements are therefore required to realistically constrain subglacial
topography and subglacial hydrological routing in this area. Our work has significantly
enhanced our understanding of basal topography and subglacial hydrology of Leverett
Glacier, with implications for glacier dynamics and assessments of water piracy between
catchments in the marginal zone of the GrIS