Seawater softening of suture zones inhibits fracture propagation in Antarctic ice shelves

Bernd Kulessa (), Adam D. Booth, Martin O’Leary, Daniel McGrath, Edward C. King, Adrian J. Luckman, Paul R. Holland, Daniela Jansen, Suzanne L. Bevan, Sarah S. Thompson and Bryn Hubbard
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Bernd Kulessa: Swansea University
Adam D. Booth: University of Leeds
Martin O’Leary: Swansea University
Daniel McGrath: Colorado State University
Edward C. King: British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council
Adrian J. Luckman: Swansea University
Paul R. Holland: British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council
Daniela Jansen: Swansea University
Suzanne L. Bevan: Swansea University
Sarah S. Thompson: Swansea University
Bryn Hubbard: Aberystwyth University

Nature Communications, 2019, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Suture zones are abundant on Antarctic ice shelves and widely observed to impede fracture propagation, greatly enhancing ice-shelf stability. Using seismic and radar observations on the Larsen C Ice Shelf of the Antarctic Peninsula, we confirm that such zones are highly heterogeneous, consisting of multiple meteoric and marine ice bodies of diverse provenance fused together. Here we demonstrate that fracture detainment is predominantly controlled by enhanced seawater content in suture zones, rather than by enhanced temperature as previously thought. We show that interstitial seawater can reduce fracture-driving stress by orders of magnitude, promoting both viscous relaxation and the development of micro cracks, the incidence of which scales inversely with stress intensity. We show how simple analysis of viscous buckles in ice-penetrating radar data can quantify the seawater content of suture zones and their modification of the ice-shelf’s stress regime. By limiting fracture, enhancing stability and restraining continental ice discharge into the ocean, suture zones act as vital regulators of Antarctic mass balance.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13539-x

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