Physical properties of shallow ice cores from Antarctic and sub-Antarctic islands

Abstract. The sub-Antarctic is one of the most data-sparse regions on earth. A number glaciated Antarctic and islands have potential to provide unique ice core records past climate, atmospheric circulation, sea ice. However, very little known about glaciology these remote or their vulnerability warming temperature. Here we present melt histories density profiles from shallow (firn) cores (14 24 m) drilled three two coastal domes. Additionally, complementary ground-penetrating radar (GPR) data were collected further characterize each site assess spatial distribution observed layers. This study includes first ever firn Bouvet Island (54?25?19?? S, 03?23?27?? E) in South Atlantic, Peter I (68?51?05?? 90?30?35?? W) Bellingshausen Sea, Young (66?31?44?? 162?33?21?? Ross Sea sector's Balleny island chain. Despite location, surface low at sites (melt layers account for ? 10 % total core), with undisturbed upper 40 m, suggesting minimal impact meltwater percolation. exception Island, where 47 core. Surface snow densities range 0.47 0.52 kg m?3, close-off depths ranging 21 51 m. Based measured density, estimate that bottom ages a 100 m 1 would reach 1856 CE 1874 Island.