High geothermal heat flux measured below the West Antarctic Ice Sheet

Abstract

First direct measurements of heat flux from Lake Whillans may explain abundance of subglacial lakes and ice streams in region.

Crustal heat production and estimate of terrestrial heat flow in central East Antarctica, with implications for thermal input to the East Antarctic ice sheet

“…Thirdly, although the data presented here provide a good approximation of both heat production and heat flow in an otherwise inaccessible region of East Antarctica, the existing uncertainties associated with extrapolating heat flow from heat production illustrate the critical need for precise in situ measurements of terrestrial heat flow from the subglacial environment. One attempt at this beneath the Whillans Ice Stream in West Antarctica (Fisher et al, 2015) measured a heat flux of 285 mW m −2 . This extraordinarily high value, even greater than that observed on modern ocean ridges (typically ∼ 100-250 mW m −2 near the ridge axis and one-third of that for oceanic crust > 50 Ma; Stein, 1995), likely is perturbed by advective heat transfer associated with subglacial flow of water and is therefore not representative of terrestrial heat flow in West Antarctica.…”

Subglacial Lake Whillans microbial biogeochemistry: a synthesis of current knowledge

“…As of this writing, 379 perennial subglacial lakes have been identified below the Antarctic ice sheets [5] and these lakes likely represent a variety of chemistries ranging from fresh [6,7] to highly saline [8,9]. Subglacial hydrological environments require meltwater, which forms from pressure-induced melting of basal ice or heating from geothermal flux at the bed [10]. The presence of liquid water beneath the Antarctic ice sheet is predicted once it reaches its pressure melting point with appropriate thermal conditions in the ice and subglacial rocks.…”

Climate Change Science & Propaganda

“…When the Antarctic ice was increasing, there was an unexpected decrease in West Antarctic [70]. It was discovered that a large geothermal heat flux was coming from the ground under the West Antarctic Ice Sheet that could account for that decrease [71]. The Greenland Ice Sheet was discovered to have several dark regions of black dust that increased surface melt [72].…”