南极西部罗斯冰架的正质量平衡。

Positive mass balance of the Ross Ice Streams, West Antarctica.

作者信息

Joughin Ian, Tulaczyk Slawek

机构信息

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Mailstop 300-235, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA.

出版信息

Science. 2002 Jan 18;295(5554):476-80. doi: 10.1126/science.1066875.

DOI:10.1126/science.1066875

PMID:11799237

Abstract

We have used ice-flow velocity measurements from synthetic aperture radar to reassess the mass balance of the Ross Ice Streams, West Antarctica. We find strong evidence for ice-sheet growth (+26.8 gigatons per year), in contrast to earlier estimates indicating a mass deficit (-20.9 gigatons per year). Average thickening is equal to approximately 25% of the accumulation rate, with most of this growth occurring on Ice Stream C. Whillans Ice Stream, which was thought to have a significantly negative mass balance, is close to balance, reflecting its continuing slowdown. The overall positive mass balance may signal an end to the Holocene retreat of these ice streams.

摘要

我们利用合成孔径雷达测量的冰流速度，重新评估了南极洲西部罗斯冰架的质量平衡。我们发现了冰盖增长（每年+268亿吨）的有力证据，这与早期估计的质量亏损（每年-209亿吨）形成对比。平均增厚约等于积累速率的25%，大部分增长发生在C冰流上。惠兰斯冰流原本被认为质量平衡显著为负，现在已接近平衡，这反映出它在持续减缓。总体正质量平衡可能预示着这些冰流全新世退缩的结束。