High-precision ice-flow velocities from ground observations on Dalk Glacier, Antarctica

Abstract Dalk Glacier, which has been monitored by CHINARE since 2007, is a calving outlet glacier near the Chinese Zhongshan Station in East Antarctica. Using in situ observational azimuthal data from 2007 to 2012, 67 high-precision spatial intersection points were calculated. Consequently, the ice-flow features of the tongue of Dalk Glacier were explored via ground measurements. The maximum observed ice-flow velocity (IV) was 192.72 m/a, at stake P9. The velocities then decreased with the distance from the central flow line on both sides of the glacier in a cross section. Further analysis showed the following: the velocities of each stake increased annually; the closer to the terminus, the faster the ice flowed; and the ascent ratio of the IVs was approximately 10.67 m/a2 in the main flow area. We also observed seasonal variations in the ice-flow velocities, including a speed-up in January 2009 preceding an ice-calving event. The elevation change measurements at the stakes showed fluctuations along the central flow line, which indicates ice-shelf grounding over a seamount that had not been previously identified.

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