Vast ice depression in Dålk Glacier,  East Antarctica

S. V. Popov; S. S. Pryakhin; D. P. Bliakharskii; G. V. Pryakhina; S. V. Tyurin

doi:10.15356/2076-6734-2017-3-427-432

Vast ice depression in Dålk Glacier, East Antarctica

S. V. Popov, S. S. Pryakhin, D. P. Bliakharskii, G. V. Pryakhina, S. V. Tyurin

https://doi.org/10.15356/2076-6734-2017-3-427-432

Full Text:

Abstract

In the afternoon of January 30, 2017, the wide depression in the western part of the Dålk Glacier, East Antarctica, was formed. By coincidence, aerial surveying was carried out in this area, so it is possible to assess the extent of this catastrophic phenomenon. Aerial photos were taken on January 20 and February 9, 2017, respectively. Based on the photographic data, the size of the depression were 183 × 220 m, and its area reached 40.260 m2. The depth of the depression in the early days was 20–30 meters; the maximum measured depth was 43 m. An approximate volume of the cavern was about 884,013 m3. On preliminary conclusions, this event should be the similar jökulhlaups, when the water of Boulder Lake broke the icy border and rushed downstream under Dålk Glacier to Prudz Bay.

Keywords

Antarctic glaciology, glacier hydrology, jökulhlaups, subglacial processes, subglacier floods,

About the Authors

S. V. Popov

Polar Marine Geosurvey Expedition.
Russian Federation
St . Petersburg.

S. S. Pryakhin

Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute.
Russian Federation
St . Petersburg.

D. P. Bliakharskii

SE Geoscan.
Russian Federation
St . Petersburg.

G. V. Pryakhina

Saint Petersburg State University.
Russian Federation
St . Petersburg.

S. V. Tyurin

Saint Petersburg State University.
Russian Federation
St . Petersburg.

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Supplementary files

For citation: Popov S.V., Pryakhin S.S., Bliakharskii D.P., Pryakhina G.V., Tyurin S.V. Vast ice depression in Dålk Glacier, East Antarctica. Ice and Snow. 2017;57(3):427-432. https://doi.org/10.15356/2076-6734-2017-3-427-432

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ISSN 2076-6734 (Print)
ISSN 2412-3765 (Online)

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