Journal
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
Volume 44, Issue 17, Pages 8936-8944Publisher
AMER GEOPHYSICAL UNION
DOI: 10.1002/2017GL074433
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Funding
- National Science Foundation [ANT1245879]
- Australian Research Council
- Antarctic Climate and Ecosystem Cooperative Research Centre
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science [25.3748]
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO)
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (University of Tasmania) through the Quantitative Marine Science PhD Program
- ProPolar (Programa Polar Portugues)
- University of Aveiro, Portugal
- Office of Polar Programs (OPP)
- Directorate For Geosciences [1245879] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
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Observed thinning of the Totten Glacier in East Antarctica has cast doubt upon the stability of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet. Recent oceanographic observations at the front of the Totten Ice Shelf have confirmed the presence of modified Circumpolar Deep Water (mCDW), which likely promotes enhanced melting. Details of how this water accesses the shelf remain uncertain. Here we present new bathymetry and autumnal oceanographic data from the outer continental shelf, north of the Totten Glacier, that show up to 0.7 degrees C mCDW in a>100km wide and >500m deep depression within the shelf break. In other parts of East Antarctica, a shelf break bathymetry shallower than 400m prevents these warmer waters from entering the shelf environment. Our observations demonstrate that detailed knowledge of the bathymetry is critical to correctly model the across-shelf exchange of warm water to the various glaciers/ice shelves of Antarctica for future sea level prediction.
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