Project Title

Ice dynamics at the intersection of the West and East Antarctic Ice Sheets

Summary

Event Number:
I-175-M/S

Program Director:
Dr. Kelly Brunt

ASC POC/Implementer:
Jenny Cunningham

Principal Investigator(s)

Dr. Knut A Christianson
knut@uw.edu
University of Washington
Earth and Space Sciences
Seattle, Washington

Location

Supporting Stations: McMurdo Station, South Pole Station
Research Locations: Hercules Dome

Description

Researchers will use ground-based, ice-penetrating radar to survey the stratigraphy and bed topography at Hercules Dome and infer changes in ice dynamics and ice-sheet elevation. The work will help determine past ice-sheet changes that may relate to the collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. Additionally, the work may verify the existence of a divide flow and internal stratigraphy that could help determine whether this site is suitable for a deep ice-core drilling project. This year's focus will be on taking repeat englacial velocity measurements with phase-sensitive ice-penetrating radar, and measuring surface velocities with GPS sensors.

Field Season Overview

A team of two, one science participant and one Antarctic Support Contract (ASC) field safety coordinator, will make day trips by Twin Otter from South Pole Station to Hercules Dome to conduct repeat stationary, phase-sensitive radar (ApRES), and repeat global navigation satellite system (GNSS) measurements to collect 3-dimensional ice-velocity measurements. The team members will also service the fuel and equipment cache at Hercules Dome.

Deploying Team Members