Publication Date:
2024-01-15
Description:
Geothermal heat flow in the polar regions plays a crucial role in understanding ice-sheet dynamics and predictions of sea level rise. Continental-scale indirect estimates often have a low spatial resolution and yield largest discrepancies in West Antarctica. Here we analyse geophysical data to estimate geothermal heat flow in the Amundsen Sea Sector of West Antarctica. With Curie depth analysis based on a new magnetic anomaly grid compilation, we reveal variations in lithospheric thermal gradients. We show that the rapidly retreating Thwaites and Pope glaciers in particular are underlain by areas of largely elevated geothermal heat flow, which relates to the tectonic and magmatic history of the West Antarctic Rift System in this region. Our results imply that the behavior of this vulnerable sector of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is strongly coupled to the dynamics of the underlying lithosphere.
Description:
The Amundsen Sea sector, Antarctica, is underlain by shallow Curie depths – where the magnetic properties of rocks change – according to airborne magnetic data. This suggests high geothermal heat flow in this region of the West Antarctic Rift System.
Description:
Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (Alfred-Wegener- Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research)
https://doi.org/10.13039/501100003207
Description:
European Space Agency (ESA)
https://doi.org/10.13039/501100000844
Description:
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation)
https://doi.org/10.13039/501100001659
Description:
https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.932452
Keywords:
ddc:551.1
;
Cryospheric science
;
Geomagnetism
;
Geophysics
;
West Antarctica
;
Amundsen Sea sector
Language:
English
Type:
doc-type:article
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