A new regional high-resolution map of basal and surface topography for the Greenland ice-sheet margin at Paakitsoq, West Greenland

作者：Mottram Ruth^*; Nielsen Claus; Ahlstrom Andreas P; Reeh Niels; Kristensen Steen S; Christensen Erik L; For**erg Rene; Stenseng Lars

来源：Annals of Glaciology, 2009, 50(51): 105-111.

DOI：10.3189/172756409789097577

In 2005 an airborne survey was carried out from a Twin Otter aircraft at Pakitsup Akuliarusersua (Paakitsoq) near Ilulissat in West Greenland. The survey aimed to measure ice thickness with a 60 MHz coherent radar and surface elevation with a scanning laser altimeter. Positioning information came from multiple on-board differential GPS units and an inertial navigation system. The region surveyed covers >80 km along the ice margin and has a total area of similar to 2700 km(2) with varying density of measurements: the between-track distance was similar to 1 km near the margin, increasing to similar to 3 km away from the margin. Regional high-resolution maps of basal topography under the Greenland ice sheet are useful for resolving important glaciological and hydrological questions and for enhancing related process studies, such as the influence of basal meltwater on ice dynamics. The ice-sheet margin in this region is also currently under consideration for hydropower development and has a long and continuing history of glaciological investigations, lately with emphasis on the connection between surface meltwater formation and surface velocity of the ice sheet. Here we present a new regional map of the surface and basal topography of the ice-sheet margin and discuss some of the implications for reported observations at Swiss Camp.

• 出版日期2009