Fluctuations in ice shelves and outlet glaciers in Antarctica

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Abstract
Interpretation of maps and satellite imagery reveals that during the last 90–100 years the large ice shelves and outlet glaciers of Antarctica have undergone pronounced changes, especially abrupt fluctuations in their frontal positions and dimensions. During the period under consideration phases of advance and disintegration resembling surges were manifested by many Antarctic glaciers. During the advance phases of 1947–1960 and 1965–1975 the Larsen, Filchner, and Amery ice shelves and the Shirase outlet glacier displayed pronounced surges. Analysis of fluctuations in the major glaciers of West and East Antarctica revealed asynchronous and out‐of‐phase elements in their behavior. This is apparently related to the differences in the dynamics and mass balances of the glaciers which manifested themselves in differing responses to the same climatic fluctuations.
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