Estimation of
surface melt induced melt pond depths over Amery Ice Shelf, East Antarctica using
Multispectral and ICESat-2 data
Geetha Priya M., Deva Jefflin A.R., Alvarinho J. Luis and Bahuguna I.M.
Disaster Advances; Vol. 15(8); 1-8;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/1508da01008; (2022)
Abstract
Surface melting is increasing over the Antarctica continent, with unknown impacts
on glacier and ice sheet dynamics at the ice-bed interface. Surface meltwater drains
to the bed of Antarctica ice sheets and outlet glaciers, causing accelerations in
ice flow (up to 100% greater than the annual mean). Because melt occurrences are
currently erratic (also Antarctica surface melt refreezes), effective subglacial
drainage cannot be maintained, resulting in repeated short-lived ice flow disturbances
and calving of ice shelves. Longterm exposure to strong surface melting promotes
the formation of melt ponds and subsequently Supraglacial lakes and therefore there
is possibility of hydrofracturing.
The present study aims to estimate the volume of surface melt-induced melt ponds
over the Amery Ice Shelf (AIS) using a physically-based radiative transfer model.
The AIS, located on Antarctica's east coast, is one of the world's biggest glacier
drainage basins. The ICESat-2 geolocated photon data were used to validate the depth
estimates of melt ponds derived from Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2 multispectral datasets
based on the model. The average depth estimated is around 1.9±0.6 m for the melt
ponds adopted for the present study. The present study aims to quantify surface
melt over the Antarctica continent (AIS region) in the context of India’s scientific
credentials in polar science. We recommend monitoring extensive surface melt and
subsurface refreezing which might result in more ponding above impermeable ice layers
in the coming years.
