Basal Melt Rate Over the Subglacial Lake Qilin Derived Through an Optimized 1‐D Steady‐State Thermodynamic Model

Subglacial Lake Qilin (SLQ), in the center of Princess Elizabeth Land (PEL), East Antarctica, is a potential drilling target for detecting extreme‐life and studying ice sheet evolution, due to its tectonic origin, stability, thick sediments and isolation by 3600 m thick ice. Prior to drilling, an ideal site is needed to meet scientific goals, requiring characterization of water circulation and subglacial hydrology‐related basal melting/refreezing. This study quantifies SLQ's basal melt rate using an optimized 1D steady‐state thermodynamic model and multi‐source remote sensing/geophysical data. The model improves accuracy via dynamic thermal boundaries and a temperature gradient correction. Results show the lake center has a high annual mean basal melt rate of 2.195 mm a −1 , increasing northward. Sensitivity analysis indicates geothermal heat flux has the most significant effect on melt rate, compared to ice thickness and temperature gradient.