The physiography, flow characteristics, and vulnerability of the Southern McMurdo Ice Shelf, Antarctica

This project aims to undertake a detailed survey of part of the southern McMurdo Ice Shelf (SMIS), using ground penetrating radar (GPR), GPS and direct field observation techniques. The prime area of interest is a topographic bulge in the ice shelf located part-way between the SW tip of Black Island and the northern shore of Minna Bluff. Partly investigated during the K001 2003/2004 field program, this bulge is thought to indicate a zone of grounding for the SMIS, with implications for the flow dynamics of the whole ice shelf. Through mapping this feature by running transects with GPR and GPS, its physical characteristics will be determined and its effect on the SMIS flow regime will be analysed. GPS occupation of a network of survey markers established in the K001 2002/03 and 2003/04 field seasons is also proposed, with a view to increase the timespan, and therefore reliability, of this SMIS movement data set. The geophysical data will be supplemented by direct field observations of the ice shelf surface and of the coastal moraines of Minna Bluff.

Publications

Clifford, A. E. The physiography, flow characteristics and vulnerability of the Southern McMurdo Ice Shelf, Antarctica. M.Sc. Thesis, University of Otago. 2005. 238pp.