A "continuity-index" for assessing ice-sheet dynamics from radar-sounded internal layers

Nanna B. Karlsson; David Rippin; Robert Bingham; David Vaughan

doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2012.04.034

A "continuity-index" for assessing ice-sheet dynamics from radar-sounded internal layers

Nanna B. Karlsson, David Rippin, Robert Bingham, David Vaughan

Environment and Geography

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Radio-echo sounding (RES) of polar ice sheets reveals extensive internal layering. The degree of continuity of internal layering holds critical information about the ice-flow field, but previous analyses of this parameter have been limited to qualitative classications. Here we present a new quantitative method for analyzing internal layer continuity - named the continuity-index. When applied to data from Pine Island Glacier, West Antarctica, the new method clearly identies a continuum of discontinuity of internal layers that corresponds with the current ice-velocity field. The analysis provides further support that the main trunk and tributaries are unlikely to have undergone substantial migration since the deposition of the internal layering. Significantly, our new method for analyzing internal layers is readily transferable across RES datasets, oering promise for data-led assessments of past and present flow dynamics across large areas of Antarctica and Greenland.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	88-94
Number of pages	7
Journal	EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
Volume	335-336
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2012.04.034
Publication status	Published - 15 Jun 2012

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10.1016/j.epsl.2012.04.034

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0012821X12002014

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title = "A {"}continuity-index{"} for assessing ice-sheet dynamics from radar-sounded internal layers",

abstract = "Radio-echo sounding (RES) of polar ice sheets reveals extensive internal layering. The degree of continuity of internal layering holds critical information about the ice-flow field, but previous analyses of this parameter have been limited to qualitative classications. Here we present a new quantitative method for analyzing internal layer continuity - named the continuity-index. When applied to data from Pine Island Glacier, West Antarctica, the new method clearly identies a continuum of discontinuity of internal layers that corresponds with the current ice-velocity field. The analysis provides further support that the main trunk and tributaries are unlikely to have undergone substantial migration since the deposition of the internal layering. Significantly, our new method for analyzing internal layers is readily transferable across RES datasets, oering promise for data-led assessments of past and present flow dynamics across large areas of Antarctica and Greenland.",

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T1 - A "continuity-index" for assessing ice-sheet dynamics from radar-sounded internal layers

AU - Karlsson, Nanna B.

AU - Rippin, David

AU - Bingham, Robert

AU - Vaughan, David

PY - 2012/6/15

Y1 - 2012/6/15

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AB - Radio-echo sounding (RES) of polar ice sheets reveals extensive internal layering. The degree of continuity of internal layering holds critical information about the ice-flow field, but previous analyses of this parameter have been limited to qualitative classications. Here we present a new quantitative method for analyzing internal layer continuity - named the continuity-index. When applied to data from Pine Island Glacier, West Antarctica, the new method clearly identies a continuum of discontinuity of internal layers that corresponds with the current ice-velocity field. The analysis provides further support that the main trunk and tributaries are unlikely to have undergone substantial migration since the deposition of the internal layering. Significantly, our new method for analyzing internal layers is readily transferable across RES datasets, oering promise for data-led assessments of past and present flow dynamics across large areas of Antarctica and Greenland.

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DO - 10.1016/j.epsl.2012.04.034

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JO - EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS

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A "continuity-index" for assessing ice-sheet dynamics from radar-sounded internal layers

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