Rapid discharge connects Antarctic subglacial lakes

Duncan J Wingham1, Martin J Siegert, Andrew Shepherd

  • 1Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling, Department of Space and Climate Physics, Pearson Building, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK. djw@cpom.ucl.ac.uk

Nature
|April 21, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Subglacial water beneath East Antarctica is actively discharging, with 1.8 km3 transferred between lakes in 16 months. This rapid drainage challenges existing models and highlights risks for subglacial exploration.

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