Does satellite magnetic data reveal heat flux anomalies in Antarctica?

Maule, C. F., Purucker, M. E., Olsen, N. & Mosegaard, K. Heat flux anomalies in Antarctica revealed by satellite magnetic data. Science 309, 464–467 (2005). Shapiro, N. M. & Ritzwoller, M. H. Inferring surface heat flux distributions guided by a global seismic model: particular application to Antarctica.

Are geothermal flux anomalies more widespread in East Antarctica?

We conclude that local geothermal flux anomalies could be more widespread in East Antarctica. Assessing their influence on subglacial hydrology and ice sheet dynamics requires new detailed geophysical observations, especially in candidate areas for deep ice core drilling and at the onset of major ice streams.

What is the peak geothermal flux in the Transantarctic Mountains 47?

The peak geothermal flux predicted from erratics in the Transantarctic Mountains 47 is 83.6 mW m −2, and requires a heat production of ~7.5 μW m −3. This heat flux is ~35 mW m −2 above background, but significantly less than our modelled value of 120 mW m −2.

What is the englacial layer configuration of East Antarctica?

Ice sheet modelling shows that this englacial layer configuration requires basal melting of up to 6 ± 1 mm a −1 and a geothermal flux of 120 ± 20 mW m −2, more than double the values expected for this cratonic sector of East Antarctica.

Do high heat producing granitoids exist in East Antarctica?

The presence of this sample indicates that although sparse, it is reasonable to infer that high heat producing granitoids exist in the South Pole region of East Antarctica. Additionally, it is important to consider that radiogenic intrusions could be buried and hence be more widespread than erratics alone appear to indicate.

Did tectonic rifts affect the underlying lithosphere of East Antarctica?

The underlying East Antarctic continent is generally considered to be an ancient craton, last affected by a major tectono-thermal event ~500 Ma 1, although many provinces are much older 2, 3. More recent (300-100 Ma) tectonic rifts dissect East Antarctica but appear not to have significantly altered the underlying Precambrian lithosphere 4.