Constraints on subglacial melt fluxes from observations of active subglacial lake recharge
Open access
Date
2023Type
- Journal Article
ETH Bibliography
yes
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Abstract
Active subglacial lakes provide a rare glimpse of the subglacial environment and hydrological processes at play. Several studies contributed to establishing active subglacial lake inventories and document lake drainage and connection, but few focused on the period between lake drainage when the melt production and transport contribute to the refilling of these lakes. In this study, we employ high-resolution CryoSat-2 altimetry data from 2010 to 2021 to compile an inventory of recharging lakes across Antarctica. We extract recharge rates from these lakes, which serve as a lower limit on subglacial melt production. These recharge rates are compared against predictions obtained by routing modelled subglacial meltwater at the ice-sheet's base. Our findings indicate that modelled recharge rates are consistent with observations in all but one of the investigated lakes, providing a lower bound on geothermal heat fluxes. Lake Cook E2 displays recharge rates far exceeding predictions, indicating that processes are taking place that are currently unaccounted for. Considering recharge in hydrologically connected lake networks instead of individually provides a stricter constraint on melt production. Recharge rates extracted from the Thwaites Lake system suggest that subglacial melt production has been underestimated. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000636367Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Journal of GlaciologyPublisher
Cambridge University PressSubject
glacier hydrology; melt - basal; remote sensing; subglacial lakes; subglacial processesOrganisational unit
09599 - Farinotti, Daniel / Farinotti, Daniel
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ETH Bibliography
yes
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