Geophysical Investigation of Basal and Hydrologic Conditions in Glaciers and Ice Shelves
Open Access
- Author:
- Clyne, Elisabeth
- Graduate Program:
- Geosciences (PHD)
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- June 14, 2021
- Committee Members:
- Luke Trusel, Outside Unit & Field Member
Byron Parizek, Major Field Member
Sridhar Anandakrishnan, Co-Chair & Dissertation Advisor
Richard Alley, Co-Chair & Dissertation Advisor
Mark Patzkowsky, Program Head/Chair - Keywords:
- Glaciers
Thwaites Glacier
Ice Shelves
Geophysics
Rhone Glacier
Reflection Seismic
Radar
Ground Penetrating Radar
Basal Conditions
Hydrology
Glacial Hydrology - Abstract:
- This dissertation presents results from the use of geophysical methods to study conditions beneath glaciers, including bed physical properties, topography, melting, and water flow. Chapter 1 briefly reviews the history of study and importance of Thwaites Glacier (TG), West Antarctica. TG is losing mass in response to oceanic forcing. Future evolution could lead to deglaciation of the marine basins of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, depending on ongoing and future climate forcings, but also on basal topography/bathymetry, basal properties, and physical processes operating within the grounding zone. Chapter 2 summarizes work done to estimate properties of the interior of TG’s bed by determining the acoustic impedance from amplitude analysis of reflection seismic data. The data show considerable spatial variability in bed forms and properties, similar to results from a comparable survey farther inland. Physical understanding indicates the basal flow law describing motion over different regions of TG’s bed likely varies from nearly-viscous over the bedrock regions to nearly-plastic over till regions, providing guidance for modeling. The retreat of TG is paced by the ongoing retreat of the grounding zone, which in turn is controlled by melting processes and bed conditions there. Therefore, ice shelf and grounding zone geometries, ocean circulation patterns, and melt rates are key to understanding the future rate and sensitivity of TG’s retreat. Chapter 3 presents seismic and ground-based radar data at the grounding zone of TG, and draws comparisons with data from the Icefin echosounder and the regional CReSIS Accumulation Radar. We find evidence to support a tidally pumped wedge of water extending around 1 km upglacier into the grounding zone, and large basal channels, seeded in crevasses and opened primarily by melting. These channels may act to limit the maximum extent and stability of the ice shelf. This ocean-driven influence on the grounding zone and ice shelf extent and stability is an important factor to include in models. Chapter 4 briefly summarizes the history of research on Alpine glaciers focusing on subglacial hydrology, which has a large impact on basal motion. The chapter continues with an assessment of a continuous seismic record through 2018 and 2019 at three moraine-based seismometers to study Glacial Hydraulic Tremor (GHT) on Rhone Glacier, Switzerland. GHT can be monitored to observe changes in location and distribution of water flow beneath glacial ice, allowing the spatiotemporal evolution of subglacial hydrology to be studied continuously and remotely. The GHT clearly reflects behavior of the seasonal hydrologic cycle, and shows periods when the system goes from variable pressure gradient to constant pressure gradient conditions in response to diurnal melt and precipitation inputs. The study also reveals the subglacial channel system appears to reform in the same location across years, which has implications for erosion and sediment transport beneath glaciers. Chapter 5 provides a synopsis and discussion of ways forward.