Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2433
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2433
02 Nov 2023
 | 02 Nov 2023

Extensive palaeo-surfaces beneath the Evans-Rutford region of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet control modern and past ice flow

Charlotte M. Carter, Michael J. Bentley, Stewart S. R. Jamieson, Guy J. G. Paxman, Tom A. Jordan, Julien A. Bodart, Neil Ross, and Felipe Napoleoni

Abstract. The subglacial landscape of Antarctica records and influences the behaviour of its overlying ice sheet. However, in many places, the evolution of the landscape and its control on ice sheet behaviour has not been investigated in detail. Using recently released radio-echo sounding data, we investigate the subglacial landscape of the Evans-Rutford region of West Antarctica. Following quantitative analysis of the landscape morphology under ice-loaded and unloaded conditions, we identify ten flat surfaces distributed across the region. Across these ten surfaces, we identify two distinct populations based on clustering of elevations, which potentially represent remnants of regionally coherent pre-glacial surfaces underlying the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS). The surfaces are bounded by deeply incised glacial troughs, some of which have potential tectonic controls. We assess two hypotheses for the evolution of the regional landscape: (1) passive margin evolution associated with the breakup of the Gondwana supercontinent, or (2) an extensive planation surface that may have been uplifted either in association with the West Antarctic Rift System or cessation of subduction at the base of the Antarctic Peninsula. We suggest that passive margin evolution is most likely of these two mechanisms, with the erosion of glacial troughs adjacent to, and incising, the flat surfaces likely having coincided with the growth of the WAIS. These flat surfaces also demonstrate similarities to other identified surfaces, indicating that a similar formational process may have been acting more widely around the Weddell Sea Embayment. The subsequent fluctuations of ice flow, basal thermal regime and erosion patterns of the WAIS are therefore controlled by the regional tectonic structures.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

07 May 2024
Extensive palaeo-surfaces beneath the Evans–Rutford region of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet control modern and past ice flow
Charlotte M. Carter, Michael J. Bentley, Stewart S. R. Jamieson, Guy J. G. Paxman, Tom A. Jordan, Julien A. Bodart, Neil Ross, and Felipe Napoleoni
The Cryosphere, 18, 2277–2296, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-2277-2024,https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-2277-2024, 2024
Short summary
Charlotte M. Carter, Michael J. Bentley, Stewart S. R. Jamieson, Guy J. G. Paxman, Tom A. Jordan, Julien A. Bodart, Neil Ross, and Felipe Napoleoni

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2433', David Sugden, 19 Dec 2023
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Charlotte Carter, 11 Mar 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2433', Anonymous Referee #2, 16 Feb 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Charlotte Carter, 11 Mar 2024

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2433', David Sugden, 19 Dec 2023
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Charlotte Carter, 11 Mar 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-2433', Anonymous Referee #2, 16 Feb 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Charlotte Carter, 11 Mar 2024

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (12 Mar 2024) by Yusuke Suganuma
AR by Charlotte Carter on behalf of the Authors (13 Mar 2024)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish subject to technical corrections (22 Mar 2024) by Yusuke Suganuma
AR by Charlotte Carter on behalf of the Authors (25 Mar 2024)  Author's response   Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

07 May 2024
Extensive palaeo-surfaces beneath the Evans–Rutford region of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet control modern and past ice flow
Charlotte M. Carter, Michael J. Bentley, Stewart S. R. Jamieson, Guy J. G. Paxman, Tom A. Jordan, Julien A. Bodart, Neil Ross, and Felipe Napoleoni
The Cryosphere, 18, 2277–2296, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-2277-2024,https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-2277-2024, 2024
Short summary
Charlotte M. Carter, Michael J. Bentley, Stewart S. R. Jamieson, Guy J. G. Paxman, Tom A. Jordan, Julien A. Bodart, Neil Ross, and Felipe Napoleoni
Charlotte M. Carter, Michael J. Bentley, Stewart S. R. Jamieson, Guy J. G. Paxman, Tom A. Jordan, Julien A. Bodart, Neil Ross, and Felipe Napoleoni

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The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

Short summary
We use radio-echo sounding data to investigate the presence of flat surfaces beneath the Evans-Rutford region in West Antarctica. These surfaces may be what remains of laterally continuous surfaces, formed before the inception of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, and we assess two hypotheses for their formation. Tectonic structures in the region may have also had a control on the growth of the ice sheet, by focusing ice flow into troughs adjoining these surfaces.