McMurdo Shear Zone Ice Shelf Dynamics and Crevasse Observations

Field observations and modeling data focus on the McMurdo Shear Zone, a 5-10 km wide crevassed region between the McMurdo and Ross ice shelves. The dataset integrates ground-penetrating radar surveys, GPS measurements, and remote sensing to analyze flow, stress, and crevasse structure. Supported by NSF award and conducted by AMD_USAPDC, with field work in Antarctica and data last updated in May 2017.

Use Cases

• Model ice shelf shear margin behavior using finite element models informed by ground-penetrating radar crevasse distribution data.
• Analyze flow field and stress field dynamics from GPS and remote sensing observations to test hypotheses on Lagrangian mixing.
• Correlate surface crevasse expressions with buried crevasse orientations detected at depth via radar surveys.
• Assess rheological instability and velocity discontinuities using integrated field observation and numerical modeling data.
• Plan logistics for Antarctic traverses by mapping intensified crevassing zones from robotic vehicle survey data.

Strengths

• Integrated data from multiple methods: field observation, remote sensing, and numerical modeling.
• Focus on a specific, critical 5-10 km wide geographic feature (McMurdo Shear Zone).
• Research addresses topics of societal concern: ice sheet evolution and sea level rise.

Limitations

• Specific row counts, column details, and sample data are unavailable.
• Temporal coverage and update frequency beyond the 2017 timestamp are unclear.
• Dataset may have geographic bias, focusing solely on one Antarctic shear zone.

Provenance

Source

NASA Earthdata (nasa_earthdata) platform, from organization AMD_USAPDC.

Collection Method

Integrated field observation, remote sensing, and numerical modeling; ground-penetrating radar surveys conducted with a lightweight robotic vehicle.

Time Range

null

Freshness

Last updated in May 2017; update frequency is null.

Geography

McMurdo Shear Zone, Antarctica, separating the McMurdo and Ross ice shelves.