Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-nwzlb Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-28T11:11:27.641Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The calving and drift of iceberg B-9 in the Ross Sea, Antarctica

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 May 2004

Harry (J.R.) Keys
Affiliation:
Science and Research Division, Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 10–420, Wellington, New Zealand Dept of Conservation, Private Bag, Turangi, New Zealand
S.S. Jacobs
Affiliation:
Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, NY 10964, USA
Don Barnett
Affiliation:
Navy/NOAA Joint Ice Center, 4301 Suitland Road, Washington, DC 20395–5180, USA

Abstract

Major rifts is the Ross Ice Shelf controlled the October 1987 calving of the 154 × 35 km “B-9” iceberg, one of the longest on record. The 2000 km, 22 month drift of this iceberg and the quite different tracks of smaller bergs that calved with it have extended our understanding of the ocean circulation in the Ross Sea. B-9 initially moved north-west for seven months until deflected southward by a subsurface current which caused it to collide with the ice shelf in August 1988. It then completed a 100 km-radius gyre on the east-central shelf before resuming its north-westerly drift. Based upon weekly locations, derived from NOAA-10 and DMSP satellite and more frequent ARGOS data buoy positions, B-9 moved at an average speed of 2.4 km day−1 over the continental shelf. It was not grounded there at any time, but cast a large shadow of open water or reduced ice thickness during the austral winters. B-9 was captured by the continental slope current in May 1989, and attained a maximum velocity of 13 km day−1 before breaking into three pieces north of Cape Adare in early August 1989.

Type
Papers—Earth Science and Glaciology
Copyright
© Antarctic Science Ltd 1990

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)