Geomorphometric modeling and mapping of Antarctic oases

Abstract: Geomorphometric modeling is widely used in geosciences. However, geomorphometric modeling and mapping of Antarctic oases has not been performed so far. This article presents the first results of our work on geomorphometric modeling and mapping of several Antarctic oases including the Larsemann Hills, Thala Hills, Schirmacher oasis, and Fildes Peninsula. As input data, we used fragments of the Reference Elevation Model of Antarctica. For each territory, we derived digital models of the following 17 morphometric variables from the extracted and edited digital elevation models: slope, aspect, horizontal curvature, vertical curvature, mean curvature, Gaussian curvature, minimal curvature, maximal curvature, unsphericity curvature, difference curvature, vertical excess curvature, horizontal excess curvature, ring curvature, accumulation curvature, catchment area, topographic index, and stream power index. Derived geomorphometric maps can be useful for structural geological and process-oriented hydrological studies. The ultimate goal of the ongoing work is to create a digital large-scale geomorphometric atlas of Antarctic oases and other ice-free Antarctic territories.