The surficial and subglacial geomorphology of western Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica

Abstract

The surficial and subglacial geomorphology of ∼220,000 km2 of western Dronning Maud Land (WDML), Antarctica, is presented at a scale of 1:750,000. The mapped area includes the Stancomb-Wills Glacier north of 75°25′S and follows the grounded ice margin to the Jutulstraumen Ice Stream at the Prime Meridian. Mapping of subglacial geomorphology builds upon recent methodological advances that use optical and passive satellite imagery of the ice surface to infer major elements of the subglacial topography. The hypothesised geomorphological map reveals an alpine glacial landscape at, and surrounding, every nunatak region, inferred through the presence of subaerial and subglacial cirques, arêtes and closely spaced hanging valleys. A series of subglacial troughs are found to intersect the main Jutulstraumen–Penck troughs. The map is aimed at helping analyse patterns and processes of landscape evolution within WDML and provides greater detail of erosion patterns associated with former ice flow patterns.