Journal of Geophysical Research Earth Surface, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 130(5)

Опубликована: Май 1, 2025

Abstract The rapidly changing Thwaites Ice Shelf is crucial for understanding ice‐shelf dynamical processes and their implications sea‐level rise from Antarctica. Fractures, particularly vertical structure, are key to structural integrity but remain poorly measured. To address this, we developed a fracture‐characterization workflow using ICESat‐2 ATL03 geolocated photon heights, producing the first time‐series measurements of fractures across 2018 2024. We introduced fracture depth/freeboard ratio as normalized metric quantify extent, serving an indicator damage. This enabled us track evolution in both eastern ice shelf western glacier tongue. In section, fracturing intensified along northwestern shear zone near grounding line, positive feedback loop between enhanced accelerated flow. section maintained active rift formation about 15 km downstream historical line. Flow velocity changes this were primarily confined unconstrained portion, exhibiting overall deceleration trend, while upstream area remained stable. contrast highlights role lateral margin conditions governing flow behavior. Changes showed some correspondence with warm winter air temperatures, reduced sea ice, persistent ocean anomalies at shallower depths, suggesting that atmosphere‐sea ice‐ocean interactions influence through basal processes. Future research should integrate satellite‐derived observations numerical models better capture dynamics weakening retreat.

Язык: Английский