Periodic Surface Features in Coastal East Antarctica
We found evidence for highly periodic dunes in a near-coastal area of Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica.Analysis of accumulation patterns, derived from ground-penetrating radar (GPR) internal layering, and GPS-based characteristics of surface topography, by means of auto- and cross-covariance, indicate quasi-harmonic oscillations of surface undulations, surface slope, and accumulation.The dunes occur at an elevation range of 1000-1350 m with the dominant wavelength of 5 km and undulations of about 10 m.Accumulation and slope are anticorrelated at zero lag, with a mean annual accumulation of some 140 kgm-2a-1 and variations on the order ofsome 100 kgm-2a-1.Our findings have implications for studies aiming at the mass balance of coastal areas in Antarctica.
Helmholtz Research Programs > MARCOPOLI (2004-2008) > POL1-Processes and interactions in the polar climate system