Quantifying the role of marine ice in Larsen C ice shelf dynamics
Lead Research Organisation:
Swansea University
Department Name: School of the Environment and Society
Abstract
The Antarctic continent is fringed by ice shelves, the floating extensions of glaciers and ice streams, which provide an important buffer between the ice sheets and the ocean. The collapse of ice shelves has been shown to allow inland ice to accelerate, thus leading to sea level rise. Previous collapses are not completely explained, partly because the structure of ice shelves is only now being understood. In this small project we will focus on an emerging aspect of ice shelf structure which may be fundamental to their stability. Where two ice-shelf-feeding glaciers merge, the ice between them is thin and water can freeze onto the base of this ice to form a band of 'marine ice' which is then entrained with the glacier (or 'meteoric') ice as it flows with the ice shelf towards the open ocean. Marine ice is warmer, softer, and more permeable than meteoric ice and can therefore provide bands of weakness which need to be better understood. We will investigate this aspect of the Larsen C ice shelf on the Antarctic Peninsula using unique ice-penetrating radar data that we have collected over the last two seasons, remote sensing techniques that we have been developing for many years, and specific expertise in ice shelf modelling. Within the eight months of the project we will be able to test the importance of marine ice bands in the stability of Antarctic ice shelves where they form.
Publications
Kulessa B
(2014)
Marine ice regulates the future stability of a large Antarctic ice shelf.
in Nature communications
Luckman A
(2014)
Surface melt and ponding on Larsen C Ice Shelf and the impact of föhn winds
in Antarctic Science
Jansen D
(2013)
Marine ice formation in a suture zone on the Larsen C Ice Shelf and its influence on ice shelf dynamics
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface
Daniela Jansen
(2012)
Flow regime of the Joerg Peninsula suture zone, Larsen C Ice Shelf: The role of marine ice
in EGU General Assembly 2012
Luckman A
(2012)
Basal crevasses in Larsen C Ice Shelf and implications for their global abundance
in The Cryosphere
Description | We have, for the first time, quantified the amount of marine ice within part of an Antarctic ice shelf, and demonstrated the role it plays in modifying ice shelf stresses. Marine is is ice that is frozen onto the base of an ice shelf while it is floating on the ocean. |
Exploitation Route | Our findings will inform numerical models of ice shelf flow and stability. |
Sectors | Education,Environment |
Description | Rift Propagation for Ice Sheet Models |
Amount | £625,099 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NE/T008016/1 |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2022 |
End | 06/2024 |
Title | Numerical ice shelf model |
Description | A multi-layer computer model of Larsen C ice shelf using finite element methods. |
Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | This model has led to several research outputs and is forming the basis of a new grant |
Description | School visit |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | We organised outreach activities for schools both in Swansea University, and in local Schools. The University activity attracted 10-20 pupils. We have had requests for similar activities. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011,2012 |