Near-surface environmentally forced changes in the Ross Ice Shelf observed with ambient seismic noise
Geophysical Research Letters
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Abstract
Continuous seismic observations across the Ross Ice Shelf reveal ubiquitous ambient res-
onances at frequencies >5 Hz. These firn-trapped surface wave signals arise through wind
and snow bedform interactions coupled with very low velocity structures. Progressive and long-term spectral changes are associated with surface snow redistribution by wind
and with a January 2016 regional melt event. Modeling demonstrates high spectral sen-
sitivity to near-surface (top several m) elastic parameters. We propose that spectral peak changes arise from surface snow redistribution in wind events, and to velocity drops re-
flecting snow lattice weakening near 0◦C for the melt event. Percolation-related refrozen
layers and layer thinning may also contribute to long-term spectral changes after the melt
event. Single-station observations are inverted for elastic structure for multiple stations across the ice shelf. High-frequency ambient noise seismology presents opportunities for
continuous assessment of near surface ice shelf or other firn environments.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Near-surface environmentally forced changes in the Ross Ice Shelf observed with ambient seismic noise |
| Series title | Geophysical Research Letters |
| DOI | 10.1029/2018GL079665 |
| Volume | 45 |
| Issue | 11 |
| Year Published | 2019 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | American Geophysical Union |
| Contributing office(s) | Geologic Hazards Science Center |
| Description | 10 p. |
| First page | 11,187 |
| Last page | 11,196 |
| Other Geospatial | Ross Ice Shelf |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |