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On the Short‐term Grounding Zone Dynamics of Pine Island Glacier, West Antarctica, Observed With COSMO‐SkyMed Interferometric Data
Author(s) -
Milillo Pietro,
Rignot Eric,
Mouginot Jeremie,
Scheuchl Bernd,
Morlighem Mathieu,
Li Xin,
Salzer Jacqueline T.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1002/2017gl074320
Subject(s) - geology , glacier , sea level , geodesy , geomorphology , oceanography
Using radar satellite data from the Italian COSMO‐SkyMed (CSK) constellation and the German TanDEM‐X formation, we present comprehensive measurements of the biweekly grounding line dynamics of Pine Island Glacier, West Antarctica, from August to December 2015. The 1 day repeat cycle of CSK reveals tidally induced, grounding line migration on the scale of kilometers and extensive seawater intrusion within the grounding zone, which significantly exceeds that predicted for a stiff bed but are consistent with that calculated for a deformable bed. The deformable bed also explains the continuous draining/filling of subglacial lakes proximal to the grounding line. After correction for oceanic tides, we estimate a retreat rate for 2011–2015 of 0.3 km/yr at the glacier center and 0.5 km/yr on the sides, which is 3 times slower than for 1994–2011 (1.2 km/yr at the center). We attribute the decrease in retreat rate to colder ocean conditions in 2012–2013 relative to 2000–2011.