Basal Crevasse Formation on Byrd Glacier, East Antarctica, as Proxy for Past Subglacial Flooding Events

Linear elastic fracture mechanics suggests that short-lived flow accelerations, such as the one initiated by a flooding event beneath Byrd Glacier in 2006, can form abnormally large basal crevasses at grounding line. Airborne radar measurements acquired 2011 reveal hundreds of ranging height from 40–335 m. Particle tracking results show formation largest crevasse occurred line during 2006 event. Very distinctive surface depressions directly overhead, which are observed along flowline to terminus Ross Ice Shelf. By using these proxies for crevasses, we create timeline past subglacial events on Glacier. Understanding frequency and their effect glacier dynamics will help inform models ice sheet stability hydrology.