Evaluating the Energy Budget of the Nivlisen Ice Shelf in the Antarctic Region

Evaluating the Energy Budget of the Nivlisen Ice Shelf in the Antarctic Region

Authors- Keerthana K, Professor Geetha Priya

Abstract-This study investigates the surface energy budget of the Nivlisen Ice Shelf, Antarctica, during the Austral summer of November 2023 to February 2024. Spanning approximately 6,800 km² with surface elevations reaching 50 meters, the analysis focuses on specific regions, including the ice shelf center, grounding line, calving front, Potsdam Glacier vicinity, and rumples. Using data from Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) and Sentinel-1 satellite observations, the study examines energy flux components—net radiation, sensible and latent heat fluxes, and subsurface conductive heat fluxes—alongside surface melt dynamics. Persistent freezing characterizes the central region, calving front, and Potsdam Glacier vicinity, where negative energy budgets indicate minimal melt activity. In contrast, melting occurs near the grounding line and rumples from November to January, transitioning to freezing in February as energy input declines. Seasonal melting peaks in early summer, followed by freezing, driven by solar and temperature fluctuations. These findings underscore significant spatial and temporal variability in the energy dynamics of the Nivlisen Ice Shelf, contributing to a better understanding of its stability and resilience to environmental changes.

DOI: /10.61463/ijset.vol.12.issue6.406