Study on fluctuation of ice mass discharge associated with the interaction between glacier flow and basal melting in East Antarctica

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K12214
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 63010:Environmental dynamic analysis-related
• Research Institution: Nihon University
• Principal Investigator: NAKAMURA Kazuki 日本大学, 工学部, 准教授 (60435500)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 流動速度 / 氷厚 / 氷河 / 定着氷 / 東南極

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study presents that flow velocity variations on Shirase Glacier and its surrounding landfast ice in East Antarctica were estimated using satellite and in-situ observation data. The results show that the flow velocity near the grounding line was no significant changes for 24 years since 1996. While the spatiotemporal variation of the flows described in this study provides the basis for a better quantitative understanding of the buttress effect. Furthermore, the phenomenon of the glacier flow acceleration associated with the discharge of landfast ice was investigated from the change in estimated ice thickness. The flow velocity accelerated as the ice thickness decreased was found, which can be explained by a continuity equation.

Free Research Field

地球科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

東南極は質量収支が均衡していると考えられてきたが、その質量収支や白瀬氷河についても沖合からの暖かい海水の流入による顕著な底面融解が報告されていることから、東南極においても雪氷が消耗傾向にあると考えられる。このことから、本研究による定着氷の挙動に関する大規模な調査は、氷河端における氷河氷と定着氷の相互作用に関するより良い理解を得ることができ、南極における溢流氷河の質量収支のより確実な推定に貢献することが期待される。