Abstract:

Within the context of global warming, the thickness of the East Antarctic ice sheet has increased according
to recent observations. However, the lack of observations means it is difficult to perform detailed
research on the dynamics and thermodynamics of the ice sheet. The section from Dome A to the Zhongshan
station, which is an important section of the International Trans-Antarctic Scientific Expedition, includes
many important research sites, e.g., the upstream of the Lambert Glacier, the Gamburtsev Mountains, and
Dome A. This study used a three-dimensional finite element model to obtain the inland velocity and temperature
fields of the ice sheet. It was found that the modeled and observational data were identical. The
bottom temperature of most parts of the ice sheet within this area has reached the pressure melting point. The
velocity of the inland ice sheet is small. Near the ice shelf, the horizontal velocity increases abruptly, while
the vertical velocity changes only where the bottom morphology changes rapidly. The prospects for further
application of the Elmer/Ice model and areas requiring improvement are discussed.

Key words: finite element algorithm, Elmer/Ice model, Antarctic ice sheet, temperature, velocity field