The role of subglacial hydrology in Antarctic ice sheet dynamics and stability: a modelling perspective

• Published in: Annals of glaciology Vol. 63; no. 87-89; pp. 49 - 54
• Main Author: Dow, Christine F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01-09-2022
• Subjects: Antarctic glaciology; Antarctic ice sheet; Catchment area; Channels; Drainage; Drainage systems; Dynamic stability; Dynamical systems; Earth science; Freshwater; Freshwater ice; Geothermal power; Glaciation; Glacier hydrology; Glaciers; Glaciohydrology; Holes; Hydrology; Ice; Ice cover; Ice sheet dynamics; Ice sheets; Ice shelves; Ice thickness; ice-sheet modelling; Inland water environment; Letter; Shelving; subglacial processes; Antarctica; Pine Island Glacier; Greenland; subglacial processes; glacier hydrology; Antarctic glaciology; ice-sheet modelling
• ISSN: 0260-3055; 1727-5644
• DOI: 10.1017/aog.2023.9

Subglacial hydrology is an important component of the ice dynamic system in Antarctica but is challenging to investigate due to the large spatial scales of the catchment systems, the ice thickness, and remote location. Here I discuss key discoveries about Antarctic subglacial hydrology from the Glacier Drainage System (GlaDS) model, including the presence of long, often high-pressure, subglacial channels. These channels pump tens of cubic metres per second of freshwater into ice-shelf cavities and directly affect melt rates at the critical grounding zone regions. Future ice dynamics and ice-shelf cavity models should take subglacial hydrology into account if they are to accurately predict future behaviour of the Antarctic Ice Sheet.