Subglacial sediments: A regional geological template for iceflow in West Antarctica

Geophysical Research Letters
By: , and 

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Abstract

We use aerogeophysical data to estimate the distribution of marine subglacial sediments and fault-bounded sedimentary basins beneath the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS). We find that significant ice flow occurs exclusively in regions covered by subglacial sediments. The onsets and lateral margins of ice streams coincide with the limit of marine sediments. Lateral margins are also consistently linked with fault-bounded basins. We predict that the inland migration of ice streams B and C1 towards the ice divide outside the region covered by marine or rift sediments is unlikely. The subglacial geology has the potential to modulate the dynamic evolution of the ice streams and the WAIS.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Subglacial sediments: A regional geological template for iceflow in West Antarctica
Series title Geophysical Research Letters
DOI 10.1029/2000GL011788
Volume 28
Issue 18
Year Published 2001
Language English
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Geophysical Research Letters
First page 3493
Last page 3496
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