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Topographic and hydrological controls on Subglacial Lake Ellsworth, West Antarctica
Author(s) -
Vaughan David G.,
Rivera Andrés,
Woodward John,
Corr Hugh F. J.,
Wendt Jens,
Zamora Rodrigo
Publication year - 2007
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 - 10.1029/2007gl030769
Subject(s) - geology , outflow , shelf ice , oceanography , streams , seawater , geomorphology , ice formation , hydrology (agriculture) , ice shelf , geochemistry , sea ice , cryosphere , computer network , geotechnical engineering , atmospheric sciences , computer science
Subglacial Lake Ellsworth (SLE) was identified using reconnaissance data collected in the 1970s, here we present more detailed surveys. SLE lies beneath 3.2 km of ice in a subglacial valley in West Antarctica. It has an area of only ∼18 km 2 , is dissimilar to the large tectonically‐controlled lakes beneath East Antarctica and is a strong candidate for in situ exploration. Our analysis indicates that the ice above SLE is floating on a fluid whose density is 950–1013 kg m −3 . This could indicate freshwater, but certainly precludes seawater, or high salt, acid, or clathrate content. The water in the lake is unlikely to be produced solely by local melt; it is more likely delivered via subglacial drainage. Our surveys show no identifiable hydrological barrier to outflow, meaning SLE is effectively full; new water entering the lake is likely balanced by outflow, which would drain into another lake that we have also identified.