A REVIEW OF BASAL HYDROGEOLOGY AND WATER DRAINAGE OF ANTARCTIC SUBGLACIAL HYDROLOGIC SYSTEMS

It is well-known that there are subglacial lakes beneath ice sheets in Antarctic. They have strong influence on the overlying ice dynamic as well as the evolution of Antarctic topography. Subglacial hydrologic systems are so complicated that some of their characteristics are still unexplicit. From hydrology view point, the subglacial hydrologic systems consist of processes of filling, discharge and interactions among ices, subglacial lakes and groundwater. Extensive application of satellite altimetry and advanced geophysical methods (e.g., RES, seismic, magnetic), can provide a better understanding of subglacial hydrologic systems. Addionally, computer simulations are useful in predicting filling and discharge associated with water storage and transfer at the ice-bedrock interface. We summarize several hypothetical modes of discharge (such as R-channels defined as tunnels incising upwards into the ice.) of the subglacial lakes. We also present an overview of models developed for interpreting the basal hydrology systems.