Radar sounding survey over Devon Ice Cap indicates the potential for a diverse hypersaline subglacial hydrological environment

Abstract. Prior geophysical surveys provided evidence for a hypersaline subglacial lake complex beneath the center of Devon Ice Cap, Canadian Arctic; however, full extent and characteristics hydrological system remained unknown due to limited data coverage. Here, we present results from new, targeted aerogeophysical survey that provides (i) supporting existence (ii) network shallow brine/saturated sediments covering ?170 km2. Newly resolved shorelines indicate three closely spaced lakes total area 24.6 These presence diverse environment with potential support range microbial habitats, provide important constraints future investigations this compelling scientific target, highlight its relevance as terrestrial analog aqueous systems on other icy worlds.