Transient nature of Arctic spring systems driven by subglacial meltwater

摘要: [1] In the High Arctic, supra- and proglacial springs occur at Borup Fiord Pass, Ellesmere Island. Spring waters are sulfur bearing isotope analysis suggests fed by deeply circulating glacial meltwater. However, mechanism maintaining spring flow is unclear in these areas of thick permafrost which would hamper discharge deep groundwater to surface. It has been hypothesized that fracture zones along faults focus discharges initially underneath wet-based parts ice. With thinning ice, head exposed surface temperatures, tens degrees lower than temperatures pressure melting, starts develop. Numerical modeling coupled heat fluid suggest focused should eventually be cut off encroaching into feeding channel spring. Nevertheless, our model simulations show can remain flowing for millennia depending on initial rate ambient temperature. These systems might provide a terrestrial analog possible occurrence Martian recharged polar ice caps.