Title
Seismic observations of transient subglacial water-flow beneath MacAyeal Ice Stream, West Antarctica
Document Type
Article
Department or Administrative Unit
Geological Sciences
Publication Date
6-12-2009
Abstract
New seismic observations of harmonic tremors beneath MacAyeal Ice Stream, West Antarctica are reported. Each of the two tremor events that we recorded during a six week period had sustained arrival of 3 Hz energy for approximately 10 minutes. During that time the source location migrated a few kilometers. The harmonic nature of the tremors is interpreted as the result of resonance in subglacial water-filled cracks and conduits. The duration, monochromatic nature, and movement of the tremor indicate that the source mechanism is likely flow in the subglacial water system resulting from the discharge from a small subglacial lake. Our results suggest that the subglacial water system produces repeated, small outburst floods, with possible implications for ice-stream dynamics.
Recommended Citation
Winberry, J. P., S. Anandakrishnan, and R. B. Alley (2009), Seismic observations of transient subglacial water-flow beneath MacAyeal Ice Stream, West Antarctica, Geophys. Res. Lett., 36, L11502, doi:10.1029/2009GL037730.
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
Rights
Copyright 2009 by the American Geophysical Union.
Comments
This article was originally published in Geophysical Research Letters. The full-text article from the publisher can be found here.