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National Science Foundation Award #0086297

Collaborative Research: Characterizing the Onset of Ice Stream Flow: A Ground Geophysical Field Program

Investigator(s):

Sridhar Anandakrishnan (PI)

Sponsor:

University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 2053485152

Start Date/Expiration Date

2000-09-15 to 2002-05-31 (amended 2001-07-11)

Awarded Amount to Date:

$154,286

Abstract: 0086297 Anandakrishnan This award supports a four year project to develop of better understanding the ice streams of the Ross Sea Embayment (A--F) which drain the interior West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) by rapidly moving vast quantities of ice to the calving front of the Ross Ice Shelf. The project will examine the role of these ice streams as buffers between the interior ice and the floating ice shelves. The reasons for their fast flow, the factors controlling their current grounding-line-, margin-, and head-positions are crucial to any attempt at modeling the WAIS system and predicting the future of the ice sheet. For the Antarctic ice streams of the Siple Coast, the transition from no-sliding (or all internal deformation) to motion dominated by sliding is defined as the "onset-region". To fully understand (and adequately model) the WAIS, this onset region must be better understood. The lateral margins of the ice streams are also a transition that need better explanation. Hypotheses on controls of the location of the onset region range from the "purely-glaciologic" to the "purely-geologic. Thus, to model the ice sheet accurately, the basal boundary conditions (roughness, wetness, till properties) and a good subglacial geologic map, showing the distribution, thickness, and properties of the sedimentary basins, are required. These parameters can be estimated from seismic, radar, and other geophysical methods. The transition region of ice stream D will be studied in detail with this coupled geophysical experiment. In addition, selected other locations on ice streams C & D will be made, to compare and contrast conditions with the main site on ice stream D. Site-selection for the main camp will be based on existing radar, GPS, and satellite data as well as input from the modeling community.

NSF Org:

ANT - Antarctic Sciences Section

Award Number:

0086297

Award Instrument:

Continuing grant

Program Manager:

Julie Palais
ANT Antarctic Sciences Section
OPP Office of Polar Programs

NSF Program(s):

ANTARCTIC GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS, ANTARCTIC GLACIOLOGY

Field Application(s):

Polar Programs-Related

Program Reference Code(s):

UNASSIGNED, 0000

Program Element Code(s):

5112
ANTARCTIC GLACIOLOGY, 5116