Authors: Molina, C.; Navarro, F.J.; Calvet, J.; García-Sellés, D.; Lapazaran, J.J.

Source: Annals of Glaciology, Volume 46, Number 1, October 2007 , pp. 43-49(7)

Publisher: International Glaciological Society

Abstract:

Johnsons and Hurd Glaciers are the two main glacier units of Hurd Peninsula ice cap, Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. They presently cover an area of about 10 km². Johnsons is a tidewater glacier, while Hurd Glacier ends on emerged land. In this paper, we estimate the changes in ice volume during the period 1956-2000, and compare them with the regional meteorological records. The volume-change estimates are based on the comparison of digital terrain models for the glacier surface, constructed from aerial photographs taken by the British Antarctic Survey in 1956 and from our geodetic measurements in 1999/2000. The total volume estimates are based on an ice-thickness map constructed from radio-echo sounding profiles (18-25 MHz) done in 1999-2001, showing maximum ice thickness of about 200 m. We estimate the changes in ice volume during the period 1956-2000 to be −0.108±0.048 km³, which represents a 10.0 4.5% decrease from the 1956 total volume of 1.076±0.055 km³ and is equivalent to an average annual mass balance of −0.23±0.10 m w.e. during 1956-2000. Ice-thickness changes range from -40 to +20 m, averaging −5.5±4.4 m. Most areas show ice thinning; the thickening is limited to a small area within Johnsons Glacier. All glacier fronts, except Johnsons' calving front, show retreat. These changes are consistent with the regional meteorological records for mean summer temperature, which show a trend of +0.023±0.005°Ca⁻¹ during the period 1956-2000.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/172756407782871765

Publication date: 2007-10-01

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• The Annals of Glaciology is a peer-reviewed, thematic journal published 2 to 4 times a year by the International Glaciological Society (IGS). Publication frequency is determined and volume/issue numbers assigned by the IGS Council on a year-to-year basis and with a lead time of 3 to 4 years. The Annals of Glaciology is included in the ISI Science Citation Index from volume 50, number 50 onwards.

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