Distribution of Net Mass Balance in the Vicinity of Crary Ice Rise, Antarctica

Abstract

AbstractCalculations of the regional variation of net mass balance around Crary Ice Rise, Antarctica, show significant rates of thickening up-stream of the ice rise and significant thinning down-stream (assuming zero basal melting or freezing). Thickening also is occurring on the south-west side of the ice rise nearest the Transantarctic Mountains. These imbalances imply migration of the rise and help explain its current non-equilibrium shape. The pattern of a suture line down-stream of the rise indicates a quasi-periodic mechanism of rift formation.