Studying Antarctica in a Gondwana framework with satellites

Satellite data reveal the complex tectonic setting of the Antarctic continent. For example, by integrating seismological and satellite observation from the GOCE, GRACE and Swarm satellite mission, the internal division of East Antarctica craton can be imaged. This is also related to the sub-glacial heat-flux, one of the crucial parameters to estimate basal gliding and ice-sheet behaviour. However, due to the sparsity of direct measurements of geothermal heat flux, often geophysical models are used, based on magnetic, gravity or seismological estimates, which can vary vastly. With Bayesian inversion, one can demonstrate model dependencies and how uncertainties of the different data products are affecting the reliability of the derived models and causing the inconsistencies. An alternative is to study Antarctica in a Gondwana framework in order to cross-correlate geophysical parameters between Antarctica and its surrounding neighbours. Using global and regional scale geophysical models, such analysis is possible, as well as the assessment of postulated plume related influx.