Antarctic map from the Geosat Geodetic Mission

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Abstract
With radar altimeters it is possible to measure Antarctic topography, which is a key to modeling ice sheet and ice shelf dynamics, both through studies of ice sheet slopes and of surface features related to ice flow [Robin, 1966;Brooks et al.,1984;Zwally et al.,1983]. Long‐term monitoring will permit study of the response of the ice sheets and ice shelves to climate change. In this respect, the vast Ross and Ronne‐Filchner ice shelves are of special importance since they are thought to play a critical role in buttressing the west Antarctic ice sheet [Bindschadler,1990]. However, the behavior of smaller ice shelves lying further north is also of interest, since they may respond more rapidly to climate change [Doake and Vaughan,] 1991].