Topographic and hydrological controls on Subglacial Lake Ellsworth, West Antarctica

Vaughan, David, Rivera, Andrés, Woodward, John, Corr, Hugh, Wendt, Jens and Zamora, Rodrigo (2007) Topographic and hydrological controls on Subglacial Lake Ellsworth, West Antarctica. Geophysical Research Letters, 34 (18). ISSN 0094-8276

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Abstract

Subglacial Lake Ellsworth (SLE) was identified using reconnaissance data collected in the 1970s, here we present more detailed surveys. SLE lies beneath 3.2 km of ice in a subglacial valley in West Antarctica. It has an area of only ∼ 18 km2, is dissimilar to the large tectonically-controlled lakes beneath East Antarctica and is a strong candidate for in situ exploration. Our analysis indicates that the ice above SLE is floating on a fluid whose density is 950-1013 kg m-3. This could indicate freshwater, but certainly precludes seawater, or high salt, acid, or clathrate content. The water in the lake is unlikely to be produced solely by local melt; it is more likely delivered via subglacial drainage. Our surveys show no identifiable hydrological barrier to outflow, meaning SLE is effectively full; new water entering the lake is likely balanced by outflow, which would drain into another lake that we have also identified.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	F800 Physical and Terrestrial Geographical and Environmental Sciences
Department:	Faculties > Engineering and Environment > Geography and Environmental Sciences
Depositing User:	Becky Skoyles
Date Deposited:	28 Jan 2015 11:22
Last Modified:	12 Oct 2019 22:53
URI:	http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/20207

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