Articles | Volume 17, issue 9
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-3933-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-3933-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| Highlight paper
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13 Sep 2023
Research article | Highlight paper |
| 13 Sep 2023
| 13 Sep 2023
Atmospheric drivers of melt-related ice speed-up events on the Russell Glacier in southwest Greenland
Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC, Canada
Valentina Radić
Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC, Canada
Andrew Tedstone
Department of Geosciences, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
James M. Lea
Department of Geography and Planning, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Stephen Brough
Department of Geography and Planning, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Mauro Hermann
Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Co-editor-in-chief
This study demonstrates the connection between two important parts of the climate system: atmospheric conditions over the Greenland Ice Sheet and the seasonal ice flow of glaciers -- specifically a glacier in Southwest Greenland. The authors use GPS measurements to identify more than 40 cases of speed up of the glacier. The majority of the observed speed up can be linked to the melting of the surface of the ice. In particular, the study shows that atmospheric rivers are linked to the strongest speed-up events. The findings have implications for the future dynamics of Greenlandic glaciers as weather patterns change intensity in response to the warming climate.
This study demonstrates the connection between two important parts of the climate system:...
Short summary
The Greenland Ice Sheet contributes strongly to sea level rise in the warming climate. One process that can affect the ice sheet's mass balance is short-term ice speed-up events. These can be caused by high melting or rainfall as the water flows underneath the glacier and allows for faster sliding. In this study we found three main weather patterns that cause such ice speed-up events on the Russell Glacier in southwest Greenland and analyzed how they induce local melting and ice accelerations.
The Greenland Ice Sheet contributes strongly to sea level rise in the warming climate. One...
