Assessing the Contribution of Antarctic Peninsula Glaciers to Global Sea Level Rise
Lead Research Organisation:
Lancaster University
Department Name: Lancaster Environment Centre
Abstract
This project offers the exciting opportunity to assess the contribution of Antarctic Peninsula glaciers to
global sea-level rise, using satellite data, A.I. and advanced numerical techniques.
Melting of the Greenland and Antarctica ice sheets contributes more than one third of global sea-level rise. One of the
most rapidly changing polar regions is the Antarctic Peninsula which, during the second half of the 20th Century, was
one of the fastest warming regions on Earth. Temperature increases across this region have led to rapid glaciological
change, including ice shelf collapse, accelerated ice melting and discharge into the Southern Ocean, and a tripling of
the region's contribution to sea-level in recent decades.
Satellites provide a unique tool for monitoring the impact of climate change. However, making reliable measurements
in remote polar regions such as the Antarctic Peninsula is highly challenging, due to the complex terrain and
multitude of small, highly dynamic glaciers. Recent advances in satellite technology now offer the potential to develop
new, robust estimates of glacier change across this region. This project aims to utilize new streams of satellite data
and innovative A.I. and metrological techniques, to monitor glacier evolution across the Antarctic Peninsula and
assess its contribution to sea-level rise. Specific aims are to (1) develop new estimates of glacier change using
measurements from NASA's ICESat-2 satellite and high-resolution radar altimeters, and (2) determine regional mass
loss, including rigorous treatment of uncertainty.
This project is a CASE studentship, meaning that the student will benefit from additional supervision by experts at
the UK's National Physical Laboratory, relating to metrology and uncertainty analysis. You will also become a
member of the UK Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling and the Lancaster University-UKCEH Centre of
Excellence in Environmental Data Science, with extensive opportunities to collaborate with glaciologists, climate
scientists, and data scientists.
global sea-level rise, using satellite data, A.I. and advanced numerical techniques.
Melting of the Greenland and Antarctica ice sheets contributes more than one third of global sea-level rise. One of the
most rapidly changing polar regions is the Antarctic Peninsula which, during the second half of the 20th Century, was
one of the fastest warming regions on Earth. Temperature increases across this region have led to rapid glaciological
change, including ice shelf collapse, accelerated ice melting and discharge into the Southern Ocean, and a tripling of
the region's contribution to sea-level in recent decades.
Satellites provide a unique tool for monitoring the impact of climate change. However, making reliable measurements
in remote polar regions such as the Antarctic Peninsula is highly challenging, due to the complex terrain and
multitude of small, highly dynamic glaciers. Recent advances in satellite technology now offer the potential to develop
new, robust estimates of glacier change across this region. This project aims to utilize new streams of satellite data
and innovative A.I. and metrological techniques, to monitor glacier evolution across the Antarctic Peninsula and
assess its contribution to sea-level rise. Specific aims are to (1) develop new estimates of glacier change using
measurements from NASA's ICESat-2 satellite and high-resolution radar altimeters, and (2) determine regional mass
loss, including rigorous treatment of uncertainty.
This project is a CASE studentship, meaning that the student will benefit from additional supervision by experts at
the UK's National Physical Laboratory, relating to metrology and uncertainty analysis. You will also become a
member of the UK Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling and the Lancaster University-UKCEH Centre of
Excellence in Environmental Data Science, with extensive opportunities to collaborate with glaciologists, climate
scientists, and data scientists.
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NE/S007423/1 | 01/10/2019 | 30/09/2027 | |||
| 2745751 | Studentship | NE/S007423/1 | 01/10/2022 | 31/03/2026 | Romilly Close |