Investigations on tidal dynamics and mass balance of ice shelves an on ice-induced crustal deformations in the area of the Pine Island, West Antarctica (R/V "Polarstern" cruise ANT-XXVI/3)

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The Ice shelves of Antarctica are sensitive indicators of climate change. In the present proposal intensive investigations shall be carried out in the Amundsen Sea sector of Antarctica/Pine Island Bay. The investigations will combine remote sensing data with in situ observations, which will be gathered during the POLARSTERN cruise ANT-XXVI/3 to be scheduled for spring 2010. The new data shall be combined with observations carried out 2006 during the POLARSTERN cruise ANT-XXIII/4. The main scientific goals are the determination of the flow regime of the ice shelves in Pine Island Bay, of the ocean tides and of the ice shelf-ocean interactions. The thinning rates for the ice shelves will be determined. In addition, repeated GPS observation on bedrock will be used to investigate horizontal crustal movements in the context of plate kinematics and regional deformation. Vertical site displacements will be used to refine the present knowledge on glacial isostatic movements in the area of investigation.