The Cryosphere

Switch-off of a major enhanced ice flow unit in East Antarctica

  1. David M. Rippin1,
  2. Martin J. Siegert2,4,
  3. Jonathan L. Bamber2,
  4. David G. Vaughan3,
  5. Hugh F. J. Corr3

Article first published online: 10 AUG 2006

DOI: 10.1029/2006GL026648

Issue

Geophysical Research Letters

Geophysical Research Letters

Additional Information

How to Cite

Rippin, D. M., M. J. Siegert, J. L. Bamber, D. G. Vaughan, and H. F. J. Corr (2006), Switch-off of a major enhanced ice flow unit in East Antarctica, Geophys. Res. Lett., 33, L15501, doi:10.1029/2006GL026648.

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Geography, University of Hull, Hull, UK

  2. 2

    Bristol Glaciology Centre, School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK

  3. 3

    British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Cambridge, UK

  4. 4

    Now at School of GeoSciences, Grant Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 10 AUG 2006
  2. Article first published online: 10 AUG 2006
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 7 JUN 2006
  4. Manuscript Revised: 1 JUN 2006
  5. Manuscript Received: 20 APR 2006

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[1] The East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS) is the largest reservoir of ice on the planet by an order of magnitude. Compared with the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS), it is traditionally considered to be relatively stable, with only minor adjustments to its configuration over glacial-interglacial cycles. Here, we present the results of a radio-echo sounding survey from Coats Land, East Antarctica, which suggests that parts of the EAIS outlet drainage system may have changed significantly since the Last Glacial Maximum. We have identified an enhanced flow unit from buckled internal layering and smooth bed morphology that is no longer active. We believe this feature to have shut down at some point since the Last Glacial Maximum, ∼20 ka BP.

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