Ice elevation map of Queen Maud Land, Antarctica, from balloon altimetry [4]

THE technique and expected coverage of ice elevation mapping using radio altimetry data from the Twerle balloons¹, have already been discussed². We present here preliminary results obtained after analysing 18 balloon traverses, with 1,900 elevation points. A map of the entire continent agrees very well with existing maps, suggesting the validity of the method. A larger-scale, more detailed map of Queen Maud Land permits better delineation of the drainage systems of that region than has previously been possible.