Geothermal heat flow in the Princess Elizabeth land sector, East Antarctica

Sub-ice geological characterization remains a significant challenge in East Antarctica due to the thick ice cover and limited direct observations. Geothermal Heat Flow, a key parameter influencing ice sheet dynamics and basal melting, has therefore largely been inferred through indirect modelling of thermal properties from geophysical data. Existing models often provide limited resolution of geothermal heat flow variability in regions where geological complexity, such as rifted margins, orogenic belts, and reworked cratons, plays a major role, introducing uncertainty into ice sheet models and affecting predictions of ice behavior and long-term stability. Here, we focus on Princess Elizabeth Land (PEL), a region characterized by highly variable rates of ice flow and complex geology. We integrate known subglacial hydrological features with a detailed reconstruction of the PEL geological framework and compare its geological features with global tectonic analogues to identify regions where mantle-derived heat and crustal heterogeneity are likely underrepresented. Through this approach, we highlight specific areas with potentially high heat flow. Our findings underscore the importance of incorporating detailed crustal architecture and the tectonic control of the mantle contributions to improve the accuracy of subglacial geothermal estimates. This qualitative review advocates for a more geologically informed approach, which is essential for precisely quantifying geothermal heat in Antarctica and refining ice sheet models.