Ice-free geomorphometry of Queen Maud Land, East Antarctica: 3. Belgica and Yamato (Queen Fabiola) Mountains

Abstract

Geomorphometric modeling and mapping of ice-free Antarctic areas can be applied for obtaining new quantitative knowledge about the topography of these unique landscapes and for the further use of morphometric information in Antarctic research. Within the framework of a project of creating a physical geographical thematic scientific reference geomorphometric atlas of ice-free areas of Antarctica, we performed geomorphometric modeling and mapping of two, partly ice-free mountainous areas of the eastern Queen Maud Land, East Antarctica. These include the Belgica Mountains and Yamato (Queen Fabiola) Mountains. As input data, we used two fragments of the Reference Elevation Model of Antarctica (REMA). For the two ice-free areas and adjacent glaciers, we derived models and maps of eleven, most scientifically important morphometric variables (i.e., slope, aspect, horizontal curvature, vertical curvature, minimal curvature, maximal curvature, catchment area, topographic wetness index, stream power index, total insolation, and wind exposition index). The obtained models and maps describe the ice-free topography of the Belgica Mountains and Yamato (Queen Fabiola) Mountains in a rigorous, quantitative, and reproducible manner. New morphometric data can be useful for further geological, geomorphological, glaciological, ecological, and hydrological studies of these areas.