Subglacial topography in the central Soer Rondane Mountains, East Antarctica: Configuration and morphometric analysis of valley cross profiles

Abstract

In this paper an overview is given of all subglacial topography measurements carried out in the central S∅r Rondane Mountains. Data of glacier valley cross and longitudinal profiles were gathered by gravimeter and radio echo sounding measurements during former Belgian expeditions and during the Japanese Antarctic Research Expeditions JARE-28 and JARE-32. Based on these data, a map of the subglacial topography in the central mountain area was compiled. Furthermore, a method is presented for analysing the morphometric characteristics of valley glacier cross profiles, which is shown to give beteer results than former power law equations. Finally, the morphometric analysis of the present glacierized valley cross profiles revealed a complex development regime, linked with the erosion potential of the glacierized area.