Fracturing and deformation along the Amery Ice Shelf

Metadata record for data from ASAC Project 2581
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The break-up of Antarctic ice shelves has highlighted the need for a better understanding of the dominant fracture processes occurring within the ice shelves and whether there is any link to climate variability. Using a combination of in-situ (GPS, seismic) and satellite (optical and radar imagery, synthetic aperture radar (SAR)) measurements and airborne ice radar measurements, we will quantify the deformation and fracture processes in different regions on the Amery Ice Shelf, leading to improved fracture mechanics models.

GPS measurements were taken across large crevasses in the shear margins on the eastern side of the Amery Ice Shelf, north of Gillock Is. These measurements will give us an opportunity to measure the three dimensional deformation across active fracture zones, leading to a better understanding of fracture processes on ice shelves.

Three GPS networks, each network consisting of 4 GPS units in a quadrilateral shape, were measured over the period 17-28 Jan, 2007. These data will be processed during 2007 to compute the deformation and strain across and within the crevassed areas.

ASAC项目2581数据集元数据记录
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南极冰架崩解事件凸显了深入理解冰架内部主导断裂过程，以及该过程与气候变率是否存在关联的迫切需求。本研究结合原位（in-situ）测量（含全球定位系统（GPS）、地震观测）、卫星观测（含光学与雷达影像、合成孔径雷达（SAR））以及机载冰雷达测量手段，对埃默里冰架不同区域的变形与断裂过程进行量化分析，以此优化断裂力学模型。

研究团队在吉利克岛（Gillock Is.）以北的埃默里冰架东侧剪切带内的大型冰裂缝区域开展了GPS测量。此次测量可实现活动断裂带的三维变形观测，有助于深化对冰架断裂过程的认知。

2007年1月17日至28日期间，研究团队对3个GPS监测网开展了观测：每个监测网由4台GPS接收机组成四边形布设结构。2007年期间将对这批数据进行处理，以计算冰裂缝区域内部及周边的变形与应变。