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Seismic detection of a subglacial lake near the South Pole, Antarctica
Author(s) -
Peters L. E.,
Anandakrishnan S.,
Holland C. W.,
Horgan H. J.,
Blankenship D. D.,
Voigt D. E.
Publication year - 2008
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 - 10.1029/2008gl035704
Subject(s) - geology , drilling , structural basin , geomorphology , sedimentary rock , seismology , paleontology , mechanical engineering , engineering
Seismic reflection data are analyzed to verify radar identification of a subglaical lake near the geographic South Pole. The seismic amplitude variation with offset (AVO) technique is applied to confirm the presence of extensive free water, and seismic imaging of the subsurface constrains lake depth and deeper subglacial structure in the region. This lake is at least 4.2 km wide (and likely as much as 10 km in diameter), is up to 32 ± 10 m deep, and occupies a basin of thick sedimentary strata. These results imply that extensive water storage is occurring in the South Pole region. The proximity of this lake to the Amundsen ‐ Scott South Pole Station makes research drilling to sample the lake and underlying sediments feasible and supportable.