A preliminary tidal analysis of ICESat laser altimetry: Southern Ross Ice Shelf

Abstract

Satellite laser altimetry could soon play a key role in mapping poorly known ocean tides underneath Antarctic ice shelves. The amount of ICESat data now collected over the southernmost part of the Ross Ice Shelf is sufficient to warrant direct tidal analysis. Tides are estimated here from ten operational ICESat periods, totaling 363 days. A response analysis helps overcome unfavorable tidal sampling, especially an S2 correlation with the annual cycle. Comparisons of tidal estimates against independent station data show RMS constituent differences around 3 cm - still somewhat large, but an encouraging result for such a challenging region.