IngentaConnect Ice velocity from static GPS observations along the transect from...

Authors: Shengkai, Zhang; Dongchen, E.; Zemin, Wang; Yuansheng, Li; Bo, Jin; Chunxia, Zhou

Source: Annals of Glaciology, Volume 48, Number 1, June 2008 , pp. 113-118(6)

Publisher: International Glaciological Society

Abstract:

Dome A, the highest point on the Antarctic ice sheet at just over 4000 m a.s.l., is located near the centre of East Antarctica. Chinese National Antarctic Research Expeditions have studied icesheet dynamics and mass balance along a traverse route from Zhongshan station to Dome A during the austral summers from 1996/97 to 2004/05. Nineteen GPS sites were occupied on at least two occasions at approximately 50 km intervals. The purpose of the surveys was to provide accurate ice-dynamics data. A dual-frequency GPS receiver was used and each site was occupied for 1-12 hours. GPS data were processed using GAMIT/GLOBK software, and horizontal accuracies were within 0.1 m. Repeat GPS measurements provided ice velocities. The horizontal surface ice velocities increase from the summit of the ice sheet to the coast. In the Dome A area, the velocities are <10 m a^-1; in the plateau area, velocities range from 8 to 24 m a^-1 and reach about 98.2 m a^-1 at a site (LT980) near the coast. The flow directions are roughly perpendicular to the ice-sheet surface elevation contours, primarily toward the Lambert Glacier basin.

The full text electronic article is available for purchase. You will be able to download the full text electronic article after payment.

$32.46 plus tax Refund Policy

Ice velocity from static GPS observations along the transect from Zhongshan station to Dome A, East Antarctica