Towards an early warning of Antarctic ice sheet collapse from seismology. This project aims to establish a physical basis for the sensitivity of seismic observations to small changes in the great ice sheets of East Antarctica. These ice sheets are vulnerable to partial collapse or accelerated retreat. Early changes in such ice sheets may take place in the hidden ice-rock interface zone and could be detected by subtle changes in seismic signals that pass through layers of ice, sediments, water an ....Towards an early warning of Antarctic ice sheet collapse from seismology. This project aims to establish a physical basis for the sensitivity of seismic observations to small changes in the great ice sheets of East Antarctica. These ice sheets are vulnerable to partial collapse or accelerated retreat. Early changes in such ice sheets may take place in the hidden ice-rock interface zone and could be detected by subtle changes in seismic signals that pass through layers of ice, sediments, water and bedrock in this zone. This project will undertake computer simulations, run tests on pre-existing data and examine two case studies, the Aurora and Wilkes Basins. The outcomes of this research will provide a basis for an early warning of ice sheet collapse using seismology, and contribute to future increased resilience to sea level rise.Read moreRead less
Earthquake biases in measurements of Antarctica's sea-level contribution. This project aims to accurately determine Antarctica’s contribution to present-day sea-level. Large technique-specific systematic errors make this uncertain and controversial with the sign of change not agreed. Three of four measurement techniques rely on knowing the solid earth's changing shape or gravity field. Studies have not considered post-seismic deformation, but GPS data show that Antarctica has deformed since the ....Earthquake biases in measurements of Antarctica's sea-level contribution. This project aims to accurately determine Antarctica’s contribution to present-day sea-level. Large technique-specific systematic errors make this uncertain and controversial with the sign of change not agreed. Three of four measurement techniques rely on knowing the solid earth's changing shape or gravity field. Studies have not considered post-seismic deformation, but GPS data show that Antarctica has deformed since the 1998 Magnitude-8.2 Antarctic Plate Earthquake. This project will develop a model of these earthquakes constrained by geodetic data and use the model to estimate Antarctica's contribution to sea-level change. This should enable more confident local, national and international planning. This will benefit society through reducing the sea-level projection uncertainty.Read moreRead less
Detecting change in the outlet glaciers of East Antarctica using seismology. This work aims to establish a way of detecting change in the great outlet glaciers of East Antarctica by analysing the small vibrations made by moving water or by cracking and sliding ice. Change in these glaciers is very significant because they hold back over 10 m of potential future sea level rise, but many melt and movement processes are hidden from satellite view. Expected outcomes include a semi-automated approa ....Detecting change in the outlet glaciers of East Antarctica using seismology. This work aims to establish a way of detecting change in the great outlet glaciers of East Antarctica by analysing the small vibrations made by moving water or by cracking and sliding ice. Change in these glaciers is very significant because they hold back over 10 m of potential future sea level rise, but many melt and movement processes are hidden from satellite view. Expected outcomes include a semi-automated approach for remote area glacier monitoring using seismic signals, and recommendations for cost-effective future instrument deployments in key areas of East Antarctica. The new capability will be world-leading and pragmatic, enabling the risks of accelerated future coastal inundation affecting Australia to be better anticipated.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100025
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,143.00
Summary
Probing Antarctic Ice Sheet by Correlation Seismology. This project aims to advance research on the internal structure and temporal change in the Antarctic ice sheet by analysing seismic ground motion records of natural sources, including ambient noise. This approach expects to complement existing satellite and airborne methods to resolve glacial structures over large areas and detect changes hidden under snow cover. The intended outcome is new knowledge of the ice sheet’s stratification, its lo ....Probing Antarctic Ice Sheet by Correlation Seismology. This project aims to advance research on the internal structure and temporal change in the Antarctic ice sheet by analysing seismic ground motion records of natural sources, including ambient noise. This approach expects to complement existing satellite and airborne methods to resolve glacial structures over large areas and detect changes hidden under snow cover. The intended outcome is new knowledge of the ice sheet’s stratification, its long-term variation due to climate change, and its rapid response to local weather events. The benefits include improving the reliability of ice sheet evolution modelling and sea-level rise prediction, unlocking a polar gateway to study Earth deep interior, and preparing for space missions to icy worlds. Read moreRead less