Ricerche preliminari sul bilancio glaciale nell ‘area della Baia Terra Nova (Antartide)

Preliminary research on glacier balance in the area of Terra Nova Bay (Antarctica)

Abstract

This work reports the results of preliminary research on glacier mass balance carried out during the Italian Antarctic expedition to Terra Nova Bay in 1987-88. Investigations were carried out on two glaciers in the area. The main mass balance parameters of the Strandline Glacier, a typical example of a small local formation, were identified and evaluated. On the second, the Campbell Glacier, 140 km long, a maximum time of 55 years of firn accumulation on the surface of the floating ice tongue was measured. Calculations were made of the velocity of the ice tongue itself (270 m yr^-1) and of its ice discharge (0.345 km³ yr^-1) at the point where it probably begins to float completely.