This data set includes a nested model, that starts at low resolution for the whole Antarctic Ice Sheet, and then embeds higher resolution data at limited domains. There are at least three levels of nesting: whole, regional, and specific ice streams. Investigators focused on the Thwaites Glacier and the Pine Island Glacier. The model was produced using data from (Holt et al. 2006) and (Vaughan et al. 2006). Data are in Network Common Data Form (NetCDF) format and are available via FTP.
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DOWNLOADING DATA VIA FTP
Data can be downloaded through a Web browser or command line via FTP. When using a Web browser, the FTP link first directs you to an Optional Registration Form that if filled out, will allow you to receive notifications about updates or processing changes related to that specific data set. After completing the Optional Registration Form, the FTP directory becomes available. For additional help downloading data through an FTP client, go to the How to access data using an FTP client support page.
Amundsen Sea Sector Data Set, Version 1
Geographic Coverage
Spatial Coverage: |
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Spatial Resolution: | Not Specified |
Temporal Coverage: |
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Temporal Resolution: | Not specified |
Parameter(s): |
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Platform(s) | AIRCRAFT |
Sensor(s): | RADAR ALTIMETERS |
Data Format(s): |
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Version: | V1 |
Data Contributor(s): | James Fastook |
Metadata XML: | View Metadata Record |
Data Citation
As a condition of using these data, you must cite the use of this data set using the following citation. For more information, see our Use and Copyright Web page.
Fastook, J. L. 2007. Amundsen Sea Sector Data Set, Version 1. [Indicate subset used]. Boulder, Colorado USA. NSIDC: National Snow and Ice Data Center. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.7265/N5J9649Q. [Date Accessed].Detailed Data Description
Data are in NetCDF, which uses rectangular arrays, rows and columns like positions on a checkerboard. For more information on the NetCDF file format, please see the NetCDF Resources at NSIDC Web site. The following table describes the arrays included in each file.
Array Name | Description |
htice |
Ice surface elevation relative to present sea level |
bedrock |
Bed elevation, also relative to present sea level, which varies due to isostatic response to changing load |
thick |
Ice thickness, conceptually the differnce between htice and bedrock |
adot |
Net annual accumulation, if value is positive, or ablation, if value is negative, in meters per year (m/yr) ice equivalent |
flowa |
"Effective" ice hardness (a function of the temperature structure within the ice column) |
tbed |
Temperature at the base of the ice column |
bmelt |
Rate at which ice melts from the base of the ice column, where the bed is at pressure melting point; the source of water for the wthick measurement |
wthick |
Amount of water at the bed, expressed as a "thickness" velocity; a column-average ice velocity (m/yr) |
Files are named according to the convention netcdf-###.nc
File Name | Approximate File Size |
Description |
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netcdf-a1.nc |
44.1 MB | Continent- Glacier cycle at 40 kBP to present |
netcdf-a2.nc |
16.7 MB | Continent- Glacier cycle at present to 2000 years into the future |
netcdf-a23.nc |
223.0 MB | Continent - short run over 200-300 year period |
netcdf-e1.nc |
24.4 MB | Amundsen Embayment - Glacier cycle at 40 kBP to present |
netcdf-e2.nc |
9.27 MB | Amundsen Embayment - Glacier cycle at present to 2000 years into the future |
netcdf-e22.nc |
30.9 MB | Amundsen Embayment - short run over 200-300 year period |
netcdf-e23.nc |
123.0 MB | Amundsen Embayment - short run over 200-300 year period |
netcdf-e24.nc |
123.0 MB | Amundsen Embayment - short run over 200-300 year period |
netcdf-f1.nc |
29.6 MB | Twaites Glacier - Glacier cycle at 40 kBP to present |
netcdf-f2.nc |
37.4 MB | Twaites Glacier - Glacier cycle at present to 2000 years into the future |
netcdf-f22.nc |
78.7 MB | Twaites Glacier - short run over 200-300 year period |
netcdf-f23.nc |
41.2 MB | Twaites Glacier - short run over 200-300 year period |
netcdf-g1.nc |
17.3 MB | Pine Island Glacier - Glacier cycle at 40 kBP to present |
netcdf-g2.nc |
21.9 MB | Pine Island Glacier - Glacier cycle at present to 2000 years into the future |
netcdf-g22.nc |
46.1 MB | Pine Island Glacier - short run over 200-300 year period |
The volume of the entire data set is approximately 517 MB compressed.
Spatial coverage is N: -60, S: -90, E: 180, W: -180 and the spatial resolution is as follows:
Antarctic Continent at 40 kilometers
Amundsen Sea Embayment at 10 kilometers
Pine Island Glacier at 5 kilometers
Thwaites Glacier at 5 kilometers
2004/2005 Austral Summers
Glacier topography
Ice Sheet topography
Bed elevation
Ice Thickness
Net annual accumulation
Effective ice hardness
Temperature at base of ice column
Software and Tools
For a list of tools for reading/viewing netCDF files, please see the NetCDF Resources at NSIDC: Software and Tools Web page.
Data Acquisition and Processing
Original data collected by survey aircraft as part of Airborne Geophysical Survey of the Amundsen Sea Embayment (AGASEA). See: Subglacial Topography: Airborne Geophysical Survey of the Amundsen Sea Embayment, Antarctica
Model data is derived from University of Maine Ice Sheet model.
Original ice thickness data collected by RADAR sounders from survey aircraft. Surface elevation collected using RADAR and LASER altimeters.
Model was used in the embedded mode to do high resolution analysis of the velocity distribution.
References and Related Publications
Contacts and Acknowledgments
James L. Fastook
Department of Computer Sciences
University of Maine
Neville Hall
Orono, ME 04469-5790
USA
The National Science Foundation (NSF) supported the development of the model producing these data over many years through several awards. The investigator used flight-line data and surface elevation data from the Airborne Geophysical Survey of the Amundsen Sea Embayment (AGASEA) and the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), respectively.
Document Information
DOCUMENT CREATION DATE
October 2007
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