Detection of 85 new active subglacial lakes in Antarctica from a decade of CryoSat-2 data

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Conflicts of Interest

Identified Weaknesses

Rating Explanation

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Paper Summary

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Hundreds of Hidden Lakes Found Under Antarctic Ice!

Using 10 years of satellite radar data, researchers detected 85 previously unknown active subglacial lakes beneath the Antarctic ice sheet, significantly expanding the known inventory. These lakes, some located surprisingly close to the edge of the ice sheet where it meets the ocean, experience dynamic filling and draining cycles which can influence ice flow and melting.

Possible Conflicts of Interest

None identified

Identified Weaknesses

Limited Time Period for Complete Cycles

While the study spans a decade, complete fill-drain cycles for some lakes can be much longer, potentially impacting assessments of long-term behavior and variability.

Limited Study Area

The study focuses on the ice sheet margins where the satellite's specific radar mode is effective, potentially missing lakes further inland.

Indirect Measurement

Lake boundaries are based on surface elevation changes, not direct observation of the water, and are affected by factors like ice thickness and flow.

Simplified Volume Calculation

Volume changes are estimated using a basic method, acknowledging the need for more complex modeling to account for variations in ice thickness, drainage rate, and basal drag.

Rating Explanation

This study significantly expands our knowledge of Antarctic subglacial lake systems using a substantial dataset and advanced processing techniques. While limitations exist concerning the study period length, coverage area, and indirect measurement methods, the findings are valuable and provide opportunities for future research.

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