Prydz Bay Ice-Sheet Dynamics Modeled from Bed Topography

Numerical modeling results investigate the role of bed morphology in driving changes in ice-sheet extent and dynamics for the Lambert-Amery system in East Antarctica. The analysis focuses on the post-Oligocene period, particularly the Miocene Epoch and Pliocene-Pleistocene history. This dataset was published by the Australian Ocean Data Network and was last updated in April 2026.

Use Cases

• Correlate modeled changes in bathymetric volume with the sedimentation history of the Prydz Channel fan to study erosion-glaciation feedbacks.
• Analyze how the topography and bathymetry of the Lambert graben and Prydz Bay control ice-sheet extent and flow patterns in the model.
• Use modeled ice-cliff to ice-stream dynamics transitions to infer causes of changes in Miocene ice-sheet behavior.
• Assess the model's conclusion that overdeepening of the graben now prevents shelf-edge glaciation, even under Last Glacial Maximum conditions.

Strengths

• Modeling is grounded in specific geological features of the Lambert graben and Prydz Bay region.
• Analysis covers a long-term geological timeframe from the post-Eocene to the Pleistocene.

Limitations

• Underlying geological data reveals little about the causes of Miocene ice dynamics changes.
• The dataset appears to be a publication summary; the availability of raw model inputs and outputs is unknown.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network.

Collection Method

Ice-sheet numerical modeling informed by geological data.

Time Range

Post-Oligocene period, with focus on Miocene Epoch and Pliocene-Pleistocene.

Freshness

Last updated in April 2026.

Geography

Prydz Bay region and the Lambert-Amery system, East Antarctica.