Distribution of post-Last Glacial Maximum Sedimentary Deposits in the Amundsen Sea, Antarctica, from Subbottom Seismic Profiles
type: CreativeWork
description: Marine geologic and geophysical data collected across the Amundsen Sea Embayment of West Antarctica provide insight to geologic and glacial processes that have occurred across the continental shelf since the Last Glacial Maximum (~20 ka), as well as processes that are occurring today. Subbottom profiles collected across the Amundsen Sea Embayment during the austral summers of 2019 and 2020 reveal sediment that has been delivered from two major glaciers: Thwaites and Pine Island. Sediments transported by Thwaites and Pine Island Glaciers have predominantly been studied through analysis of sediment cores which have been collected in specific locations across the Amundsen Sea. This study aims to produce a spatial characterization of sediment deposits and their volumes derived from the post-LGM retreat of Thwaites and Pine Island using the interpretation of ~10,000 km of subbottom profiles. Sediment thickness and sediment geometry were used in conjunction to extrapolate sediment basins and subsequently determine sediment volumes for the study area. Sediment geometry of the deposits was separated into three designated acoustic facies: ponded, draped, and chaotic, based on consistent characteristics across the subbottom profiles. Sediment cores that have previously been interpreted were integrated with sediment geometry characterization for correlation to depositional mechanisms occurring across the Amundsen Sea. 2D thickness was then calculated for interpreted sediment deposits to determine sediment accumulation patterns across the Amundsen Sea. A concentration of high average sediment deposit thickness is seen in areas lacking streamlined geomorphology, specifically proximal to the Eastern Ice Shelf. Geomorphic basin extent and sediment thickness values were used for the extrapolation of sediment basins extending beyond subbottom profile track lines to estimate sediment volumes. In total, 3.53 x 1010 m3 of sediment volume was calculated from glaciers draining into the A…
abstract: Marine geologic and geophysical data collected across the Amundsen Sea Embayment of West Antarctica provide insight to geologic and glacial processes that have occurred across the continental shelf since the Last Glacial Maximum (~20 ka), as well as processes that are occurring today. Subbottom profiles collected across the Amundsen Sea Embayment during the austral summers of 2019 and 2020 reveal sediment that has been delivered from two major glaciers: Thwaites and Pine Island. Sediments transported by Thwaites and Pine Island Glaciers have predominantly been studied through analysis of sediment cores which have been collected in specific locations across the Amundsen Sea. This study aims to produce a spatial characterization of sediment deposits and their volumes derived from the post-LGM retreat of Thwaites and Pine Island using the interpretation of ~10,000 km of subbottom profiles. Sediment thickness and sediment geometry were used in conjunction to extrapolate sediment basins and subsequently determine sediment volumes for the study area. Sediment geometry of the deposits was separated into three designated acoustic facies: ponded, draped, and chaotic, based on consistent characteristics across the subbottom profiles. Sediment cores that have previously been interpreted were integrated with sediment geometry characterization for correlation to depositional mechanisms occurring across the Amundsen Sea. 2D thickness was then calculated for interpreted sediment deposits to determine sediment accumulation patterns across the Amundsen Sea. A concentration of high average sediment deposit thickness is seen in areas lacking streamlined geomorphology, specifically proximal to the Eastern Ice Shelf. Geomorphic basin extent and sediment thickness values were used for the extrapolation of sediment basins extending beyond subbottom profile track lines to estimate sediment volumes. In total, 3.53 x 1010 m3 of sediment volume was calculated from glaciers draining into the A…
author: Villafranca, Julia
language: eng
keywords: Amundsen Sea sediment, subbottom profiles
date published: 2023-12
date modified: 2026-07-24T02:31:59Z
provider: University of Houston
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of Houston

PropertyValue
property ID: Handle
value: https://hdl.handle.net/10657/16114