Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5381
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5381
07 Nov 2025
 | 07 Nov 2025

On the use of radar isochrones to improve paleo-ice-sheet model simulations away from ice divides

Julien A. Bodart, Vjeran Višnjevic, Steven Franke, Veit Helm, Olaf Eisen, Antoine Hermant, Alexandra M. Zuhr, Daniel Steinhage, and Johannes C. R. Sutter

Abstract. Radio-echo sounding of polar ice masses have revealed extensive isochronal surfaces that have primarily been used to constrain paleo-accumulation rates, geothermal heat flux, and changes in ice-sheet dynamics in stable regions of the ice sheet. However, isochrones remain under-utilised to calibrate ice-sheet models over large spatial scales, particularly in areas far from the stable ice-sheet divide where englacial layering is more disrupted and models likely perform less accurately. Here, we illustrate the utility of isochrones to constrain paleo-ice-sheet simulations in two off-divide areas of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet; the Wilkes Subglacial Basin (WSB) and the Dronning Maud Land (DML) regions. Using airborne radio-echo sounding data from both legacy and newly acquired surveys, and the three-dimensional, thermo-mechanically coupled Parallel Ice-Sheet Model (PISM), we show that traced and dated isochrones are essential for calibrating ice-sheet model simulations in faster-flowing areas of the ice sheet. We highlight the imprint of paleo-climate forcing and model parameterisation that lead to widely different model representations of isochrones with comparable present day representations of ice sheet geometry. Associated with this paper are two datasets of 9 and 7 newly traced isochronal surfaces spanning the Holocene and Last Interglacial (∼4.8–128.4 ka) across the WSB and DML sectors, respectively, which may be used in future modelling studies to assess the paleo-evolution of the Antarctic Ice Sheet. This paper sits at the intersection of data-model integration and highlights further opportunities for using isochrones as boundary conditions in paleo-ice-sheet model simulations.

Competing interests: At least one of the (co-)authors is a member of the editorial board of The Cryosphere. The peer-review process was guided by an independent editor, and the authors also have no other competing interests to declare.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this paper. While Copernicus Publications makes every effort to include appropriate place names, the final responsibility lies with the authors. Views expressed in the text are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher.
Share

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

26 Feb 2026
Radar isochrones as constraints on paleo–ice-sheet model simulations in two off-divide regions of East Antarctica
Julien A. Bodart, Vjeran Višnjević, Steven Franke, Veit Helm, Olaf Eisen, Antoine Hermant, Alexandra M. Zuhr, Daniel Steinhage, and Johannes C. R. Sutter
The Cryosphere, 20, 1379–1404, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-1379-2026,https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-1379-2026, 2026
Short summary
Julien A. Bodart, Vjeran Višnjevic, Steven Franke, Veit Helm, Olaf Eisen, Antoine Hermant, Alexandra M. Zuhr, Daniel Steinhage, and Johannes C. R. Sutter

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-5381', Shuai Yan, 05 Dec 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Julien Bodart, 21 Jan 2026
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-5381', Anonymous Referee #2, 26 Dec 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Julien Bodart, 21 Jan 2026

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-5381', Shuai Yan, 05 Dec 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Julien Bodart, 21 Jan 2026
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-5381', Anonymous Referee #2, 26 Dec 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Julien Bodart, 21 Jan 2026

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) (06 Feb 2026) by T.J. Fudge
AR by Julien Bodart on behalf of the Authors (09 Feb 2026)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (23 Feb 2026) by T.J. Fudge
AR by Julien Bodart on behalf of the Authors (24 Feb 2026)  Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

26 Feb 2026
Radar isochrones as constraints on paleo–ice-sheet model simulations in two off-divide regions of East Antarctica
Julien A. Bodart, Vjeran Višnjević, Steven Franke, Veit Helm, Olaf Eisen, Antoine Hermant, Alexandra M. Zuhr, Daniel Steinhage, and Johannes C. R. Sutter
The Cryosphere, 20, 1379–1404, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-1379-2026,https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-1379-2026, 2026
Short summary
Julien A. Bodart, Vjeran Višnjevic, Steven Franke, Veit Helm, Olaf Eisen, Antoine Hermant, Alexandra M. Zuhr, Daniel Steinhage, and Johannes C. R. Sutter

Data sets

Dated radar Internal Reflection Horizons (IRHs) from the Wilkes Subglacial Basin (East Antarctica) for ice-sheet model calibration J. A. Bodart and J. C. Sutter https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17348094

Dated radar Internal Reflection Horizons (IRHs) from Dronning Maud Land (East Antarctica) for ice-sheet model calibration J. A. Bodart and J. C. Sutter https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17348976

Julien A. Bodart, Vjeran Višnjevic, Steven Franke, Veit Helm, Olaf Eisen, Antoine Hermant, Alexandra M. Zuhr, Daniel Steinhage, and Johannes C. R. Sutter

Viewed

Total article views: 606 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total BibTeX EndNote
335 236 35 606 43 39
  • HTML: 335
  • PDF: 236
  • XML: 35
  • Total: 606
  • BibTeX: 43
  • EndNote: 39
Views and downloads (calculated since 07 Nov 2025)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 07 Nov 2025)

Viewed (geographical distribution)

Total article views: 569 (including HTML, PDF, and XML) Thereof 569 with geography defined and 0 with unknown origin.
Country # Views %
  • 1
1
 
 
 
 
Latest update: 03 Mar 2026
Download

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

Short summary
We used radar data and computer models to study layers within Antarctic ice that record past snowfall and ice-sheet changes. These layers, called isochrones, are seldomly used to model of Antarctica’s past. By comparing radar observations with simulations, we show how they can greatly improve model accuracy and provide two new datasets to help refine future reconstructions of Antarctic ice evolution.
Share