Ice Flow in Antarctica

Abstract

A number of measurements of ice flow in the coastal regions of Antarctica are given. Observations show that the general outward movement of the continental ice, termed “sheet flow”, is locally accelerated where “ice streams” are formed. Estimates indicate that ice streams, which only occupy a small fraction of the total length of coast, are responsible for the removal of more ice from the continent than the “sheet flow” over the remaining length of coast. Further estimates suggest that the great bulk of Antarctic icebergs are produced by ice shelves, but that data on ice shelf movement are inadequate at the time of writing.