2021-2022 USAP Field Season
Project Detail Project TitleGround geophysics survey of Thwaites Glacier Summary
Event Number:
Program Director:
ASC POC/Implementer: Principal Investigator(s)
Dr. Sridhar Anandakrishnan
Location
Supporting Stations: McMurdo Station DescriptionThe Geophysical Habitat of Subglacial Thwaites (GHOST) project is a part of ITGC (International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration), a multi-disciplinary effort led by the U.S. and U.K. Antarctic programs. This project aims to estimate the properties of the bed beneath Thwaites Glacier in order to improve models and better assess the contribution of this sector of West Antarctica to global sea-level rise. Projecting the retreat rate of Thwaites Glacier and understanding whether it can stabilize without completely deglaciating the marine basins of West Antarctica, is of critical importance in a warming world. The objectives of this project are to learn: 1) whether basal conditions allow for rapid retreat of the Thwaites Glacier grounding line; 2) whether its retreat may slow or stop on an upstream transverse ridge; and 3) whether englacial and subglacial conditions allow Thwaites Glacier to rapidly expand its boundaries and deglaciate adjacent marine basins. Field Season OverviewNo deploying team members this season. ASC will support cargo movements.
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