Abstract

In January and December 2014, an approximately 2200 km of radio echo sounding data were collected over the Antarctic Plateau as part of a field campaign conducted by Centro de Estudios Cientìficos (CECs). The over snow traverse covered areas of Union Glacier, the Institute Ice Stream and the ice divide between Minnesota, Pine Island and Rutford Glaciers. Data was collected using a pulse-compression coherent radar sounder, working at a 155 MHz, yielding a maximum of 3300 m of ice thickness. Here, we present a map of the spatial distribution of reflected power returned from the boundary between the ice and bedrock. Bed Reflection Power (BRP) analyses allowed for the characterisation of bed roughness, basal conditions, subglacial drainage and the fast-moving and the slow-moving portions of the ice sheet. Strong internal reflectors were also found in some area, distinguished by Internal Reflection Power (IRP) values, interpreted to be isochrones. Compared to Pine Island Glacier and the Institute Ice Stream, the radar profiles collected reveal lower reflection powers for Rutford Glacier. It is therefore hypothesised that Rudford Glacier may have different basal conditions compared specially with Pine Island, which shows a high reflectivity at the bed. Overall, the data shown represents an important first-order measurement for understanding the ice dynamics close to the ice divides of this region.