NSFPLR-NERC: GHOST (Geophysical Habitat of Subglacial Thwaites)

Lead Research Organisation: British Antarctic Survey
Department Name: Science Programmes

Abstract

Costs of rapid sea level rise globally to infrastructure (houses, roads, and farms, etc.) is likely to be large. A possible source of water for sea level rise is the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, and Thwaites Glacier in particular. Ice sheets and glaciers contain vast quantities of water (in the form of ice) that is continually shed to the ocean, and continually replenished by snowfall (from water that evaporates from the oceans). If the amount of ice that Thwaites Glacier loses to the ocean over the next decades is much greater than the amount it receives as snowfall, then sea level in all the world's oceans would rise, possibly as much as a meter (approximately 3 feet). In order to estimate how likely such a catastrophic scenario would be, we need to better understand the surface over which Thwaites Glacier slides. If we can better characterize that layer ("is to smooth? Is it rough? Is it soft? Is it hard?"), then computer models of Thwaites would be much improved and we can make better projections of the amount of ice that Thwaites Glacier would shed to the ocean.

Planned Impact

Better projections of the most important potential contributor to costs of sea-level rise will be of great societal value in decision-making about mitigation and adaptation. The proposed work will also contribute to education of students, advancement of a diverse group of junior faculty, and extension of a vigorous program of education and outreach. Development of a novel interactive educational tool, the Augmented Reality Sandbox, will advance glaciological education in museums and other venues.
International collaboration: We include a significant partnership with the Alfred Wegener Institute, who have agreed to provide a Vibroseis truck, a PistenBully tractor, and personnel for the length of the project, for no cost to NSF or NERC. We include a partnership with Victoria University in NZ who will aid in field work, data analysis, and interpretation.
Further details in Case for Support, submitted via US NSF FastLane portal
 
Description A study of the seabed shape off the coast of Antarctica, that was once under the ice sheet, has been used to determine how the shape of the landscape under the ice affects its flow, allowing it to speed up, slow down or change its flow pattern. This will be particularly relevant to predictions of how the movement of the Polar ice sheets might change in the future and the way that might contribute to sea level changes.

A study of geophysical surveys shows that the bed of Thwaites Glacier has been sculpted by the flowing ice, eroding large "moats" upglacier and to the sides of bedrock
obstacles, and depositing long tails of soft sediment downglacier. Models show that these features formed over time by the interactions among ice, bedrock, and subglacial water and sediment, and that the behaviour of the glacier must have changed as these features developed. This knowledge does not directly affect estimates of the potential for future sea-level rise, but does guide further studies to improve those estimates.
Exploitation Route Improvements to predictions of the future contributions of Polar ice sheets to sea level rise
Sectors Environment

 
Description International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration - exceptional additional funding
Amount £40,000 (GBP)
Funding ID NE/S006672/1 
Organisation Natural Environment Research Council 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2023 
End 03/2025
 
Description International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration - exceptional additional funding
Amount £37,331 (GBP)
Organisation Natural Environment Research Council 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 08/2023 
End 09/2025
 
Description GHOST - AWI oversnow vibroseis 
Organisation Alfred-Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research
Country Germany 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Developed the overall research programme and proposal, of which this collaboration is an integral component. We will provide the conventional oversnow seismic and related geophysical equipment, as well as overall co-ordination of fieldwork with UK (NERC/BAS) and US (NSF/ASC) operations and logistics teams. Overall leadership and co-ordination of the science project.
Collaborator Contribution Complete oversnow vibroseis system. Two personnel for two full Antarctic field seasons. Preparation for fieldwork, and follow-up activities.
Impact Not applicable at this stage.
Start Year 2017
 
Description Anglia News TV interview 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Anglia News TV interview
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description BBC TV News interview (World News) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact BBC TV News interview (World News).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Written and phone responses for news article. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Written and phone responses for news article.Newsweek
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Written response for newspaper article 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Written responses for newspaper article, the Strait Times, Singapore
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Written responses for news article. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Written and phone responses for news article. New Scientist
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020