Ice Front Fluctuations in the Eastern and Southern Weddell Sea

Abstract

We report new data on the position of ice edges in the eastern and southern Weddell Sea for the years 1983 and 1984. The data are derived from ship-borne radar measurements of individual points along the ice edge together with ship’s positions obtained by a satellite navigation system. They are accurate within 0.23 to 0.4 nm (426 - 741 m). Comparisons of ice shelf margins for the years 1980, 1983 and 1984 allow estimates of apparent ice advance rates during this period. Together with quantitative ice edge velocity estimates first conclusions about net changes along the ice front and the ablation along the margin of ice shelves in the eastern and southern Weddell Sea are derived.