Physics – Geophysics
Scientific paper
2009-05-13
Physics
Geophysics
9 pages, 3 figures, 1 table
Scientific paper
Simulations of the Greenland Ice Sheet are carried out with a high-resolution version of the ice-sheet model SICOPOLIS for several global-warming scenarios for the period 1990-2350. In particular, the impact of surface-meltwater-induced acceleration of basal sliding on the stability of the ice sheet is investigated. A parameterization for the acceleration effect is developed for which modelled and measured mass losses of the ice sheet in the early 21st century agree well. The main findings of the simulations are: (i) the ice sheet is generally very susceptible to global warming on time-scales of centuries, (ii) surface-meltwater-induced acceleration of basal sliding leads to a pronounced speed-up of ice streams and outlet glaciers, and (iii) this ice-dynamical effect accelerates the decay of the Greenland Ice Sheet as a whole significantly, but not catastrophically, in the 21st century and beyond.
Greve Ralf
Sugiyama Shin
No associations
LandOfFree
Decay of the Greenland Ice Sheet due to surface-meltwater-induced acceleration of basal sliding does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Decay of the Greenland Ice Sheet due to surface-meltwater-induced acceleration of basal sliding, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Decay of the Greenland Ice Sheet due to surface-meltwater-induced acceleration of basal sliding will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-128668