Ice sheet mass changes in Enderby Land, Antarctica using Satellite gravimetry, altimetry and in-situ data

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26400453
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Solid earth and planetary physics
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: Fukuda Yoichi 京都大学, 理学研究科, 教授 (30133854)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): AOYAMA Yuichi 国立極地研究所, 研究教育系, 助教 (70270452) ; DOI Koichiro 国立極地研究所, 研究教育系, 准教授 (80290873)
• Research Collaborator: YAMAMOTO Keiko ; MATSUO Koji
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 衛星重力 / 衛星高度計 / 氷床変動 / 表面質量バランス / 雪尺 / 白瀬氷河 / エンダービーランド / 東南極

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Using GRACE gravity data, Envisat altimeter data, RACMO surface mass balance model and snow-stakes data by the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition, we estimated the ice sheet mass balance at the Shirase Glacier basin in Enderby Land, Antarctica. The result shows that the recent ice-sheet mass increase is mainly due to the snow accumulation, particularly near the coastal areas. Next, we compared the GRACE and the snow-stakes data via RACMO model adjusted by the GRACE data for the period of 2008-2012, when excess mass accumulation was observed. The snow-stakes observation measures the successive height changes of the surface snow. The observed height changes only include the snow accumulation and sublimation without the component of the runoff effects. Therefore the difference between the snow-stakes and the GRACE data can reveal the mass changes caused by runoff, and the change of the runoff velocity. The comparison result shows no distinct change occurred during the period.

Free Research Field

測地学