Radar studies at the mouths of ice streams D and E, Antarctica

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Abstract
Ice thickness measurements have been carried out at the mouths of ice streams D and E, West Antarctica using a surface-based impulse radar. These studies have been undertaken as a part of the continuing effort to understand the state of the West Antarctica ice sheet and its response to climate change. Thickness measurements will be used in the mass balance calculation currently in progress and to better understand features in the surface topography seen at low angle sun illumination in the satellite imagery. Results show that the discharge areas of ice streams D and E are thickening by approximately 1 m per year, and thus that these ice streams are probably loosing mass. Aperiodic wavelike features in the surface topography are described which pose interesting questions about migration of the grounding line and ice-stream dynamics.