Reconstructing the pattern and style of deglaciation in Professor Glacier, King George Island, South Shetlands, Antarctica

Abstract

This paper presents the application of glacial geomorphological maps for reconstructing the pattern and style of deglaciation of Professor Glacier, located at King George, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. The geomorphological maps were compiled from aerial photographs and multitemporal satellite images, and were based on topographic profiles derived from a Digital Elevation Model. In these maps several glacial features were identified, such as moraines, meltwater channels and a U-shaped valley. The mapped data indicated that Professor Glacier area, with 0.91 km2 in 2006, showed a total loss of 0.50 km² since 1979, without frontal position advance during this period. The frontal retreat exposed the local environment and makes it susceptible to rapid post-depositional changes. The study may lead to a better understanding of glacial and periglacial processes linked to glacier geomorphology and more specifically to that from Professor Glacier. Moreover, the geomorphological maps produced can be used for monitoring local environmental changes.

Key words: glacial reconstruction, proglacial geomorphology, Professor Glacier, King George Island.