Effect of Lateral and Stress-Dependent Viscosity Variations on GIA Induced Uplift Rates in the Amundsen Sea Embayment

Accurate glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) models are required for correcting measurements of mass change in Antarctica and for improving knowledge of the sub-surface, especially in areas of large current ice loss such as the Amundsen Sea Embayment (ASE). Regionally, seismic and gravity data suggests lateral differences in viscosity (3D). Furthermore, mantle flow laws allow for a stress-dependent effective viscosity which changes over time (3D-s). In this study we investigate whether models with 3D/3D-s have significant effects on the uplift in the region. We use a finite element model with composite rheology consisting of diffusion and dislocation creep, forced by an ice deglaciation model starting in 1900. We use its uplift predictions as synthetic observations to test the performance of 1D model inversion in the presence of viscosity variations. Stress-dependent rheology results in lower viscosity beneath the load and a more localized uplift pattern. We demonstrate that the background stress from earlier ice load changes can both increase or decrease the influence of stress-induced effective viscosity changes. For the ASE, fitting 1D models to 3D model uplift results in a best fitting model with viscosity that represents the average of a large area, while for 3D-s rheology, local viscosity is more influential. 1D models are statistically indistinguishable from 3D/3D-s viscosity with current GPS stations. However, 3D and 3D-s models should be taken into account when accurate uplift and gravity rate patterns are needed, as uplift can differ up to 45% compared to 1D models in between existing GPS stations.

Automated summary

Accurate glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) models are crucial for understanding mass change in Antarctica. This study investigates the impact of 3D/3D-s models on uplift prediction, showing that stress-dependent rheology results in lower viscosity beneath the load and localized uplift patterns. Comparing 1D and 3D/3D-s models, 3D models are statistically indistinguishable from 1D models at current GPS stations.