Underwater Ice Terrace Observed at the Front of Glaciar Grey, a Freshwater Calving Glacier in Patagonia

Sugiyama S, Minowa M, Schaefer M (2019)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2019

Journal

Geophysical Research Letters American Geophysical Union (AGU)

Book Volume: 46

Pages Range: 2602-2609

Journal Issue: 5

DOI: 10.1029/2018GL081441

Abstract

Underwater ice geometry at the front of calving glaciers provides crucial information for calving and underwater melting. In this study, we present ice geometry captured by operating a side-scanning sonar near the front of Glaciar Grey, a freshwater calving glacier in Patagonia. The observations revealed ice projecting into the lake with a substantially different structure from that of known tidewater glaciers. Terrace-like ice structures were found at several tens of meters below the water surface and extended up to 100 m from the aerial ice front. The structure depicted by the sonar was confirmed when the ice front was exposed by flotation during a major calving event. We infer that buoyant force acting on the submerged ice terrace acted as a driver of the calving event. Our study demonstrates the importance of the underwater ice geometry, which affects sizable calving at the front of freshwater calving glaciers.

Authors with CRIS profile

Marius Schaefer

Involved external institutions

Hokkaido University (Hokudai) / 北海道大学 JP Japan (JP) Universidad Austral de Chile CL Chile (CL)

How to cite

APA:

Sugiyama, S., Minowa, M., & Schaefer, M. (2019). Underwater Ice Terrace Observed at the Front of Glaciar Grey, a Freshwater Calving Glacier in Patagonia. Geophysical Research Letters, 46(5), 2602-2609. https://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2018GL081441

MLA:

Sugiyama, Shin, Masahiro Minowa, and Marius Schaefer. "Underwater Ice Terrace Observed at the Front of Glaciar Grey, a Freshwater Calving Glacier in Patagonia." Geophysical Research Letters 46.5 (2019): 2602-2609.

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