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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B. Hubbard, C. Souness, and S. Brough
The Cryosphere, 8, 2047–2061, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-8-2047-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-8-2047-2014, 2014
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We address the dynamic glaciology of glacier-like forms (GLFs) on Mars, over 1300 of which are located in the planet's midlatitude regions. We present case studies to gain insight into (i) the former extent of GLFs, (ii) GLF motion and surface crevassing, (iii) GLF debris transfer (suggesting a best-estimate surface velocity of 7.5 mm/a over the past 2 Ma), and (iv) putative GLF surface hydrology. Finally, we present several possible research directions for the future study of Martian GLFs.
Related subject area
Discipline: Ice sheets | Subject: Atmospheric Interactions
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Michelle L. Maclennan, Jan T. M. Lenaerts, Christine A. Shields, Andrew O. Hoffman, Nander Wever, Megan Thompson-Munson, Andrew C. Winters, Erin C. Pettit, Theodore A. Scambos, and Jonathan D. Wille
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Saeid Bagheri Dastgerdi, Melanie Behrens, Jean-Louis Bonne, Maria Hörhold, Gerrit Lohmann, Elisabeth Schlosser, and Martin Werner
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Maurice van Tiggelen, Paul C. J. P. Smeets, Carleen H. Reijmer, Bert Wouters, Jakob F. Steiner, Emile J. Nieuwstraten, Walter W. Immerzeel, and Michiel R. van den Broeke
The Cryosphere, 15, 2601–2621, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-2601-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-2601-2021, 2021
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We developed a method to estimate the aerodynamic properties of the Greenland Ice Sheet surface using either UAV or ICESat-2 elevation data. We show that this new method is able to reproduce the important spatiotemporal variability in surface aerodynamic roughness, measured by the field observations. The new maps of surface roughness can be used in atmospheric models to improve simulations of surface turbulent heat fluxes and therefore surface energy and mass balance over rough ice worldwide.
Marie G. P. Cavitte, Quentin Dalaiden, Hugues Goosse, Jan T. M. Lenaerts, and Elizabeth R. Thomas
The Cryosphere, 14, 4083–4102, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-4083-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-4083-2020, 2020
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Surface mass balance (SMB) and surface air temperature (SAT) are correlated at the regional scale for most of Antarctica, SMB and δ18O. Areas with low/no correlation are where wind processes (foehn, katabatic wind warming, and erosion) are sufficiently active to overwhelm the synoptic-scale snow accumulation. Measured in ice cores, the link between SMB, SAT, and δ18O is much weaker. Random noise can be removed by core record averaging but local processes perturb the correlation systematically.
Rajashree Tri Datta, Marco Tedesco, Cecile Agosta, Xavier Fettweis, Peter Kuipers Munneke, and Michiel R. van den Broeke
The Cryosphere, 12, 2901–2922, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-2901-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-2901-2018, 2018
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Surface melting on the East Antarctic Peninsula (East AP) has been linked to ice shelf collapse, including the Larsen A (1995) and Larsen B (2002) ice shelves. Regional climate models (RCMs) are a valuable tool to understand how wind patterns and general warming can impact the stability of ice shelves through surface melt. Here, we evaluate one such RCM (Modèle Atmosphérique Régionale) over the East AP, including the remaining Larsen C ice shelf, by comparing it to satellite and ground data.
Ulrike Falk, Damián A. López, and Adrián Silva-Busso
The Cryosphere, 12, 1211–1232, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-1211-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-1211-2018, 2018
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The present study address the glacier–atmosphere relation on King George Island (South Shetland Islands) at the northern Antarctic Peninsula. The focus is on 5 years of glacier mass balance observations and the adaptation of a spatially distributed, physically based mass balance model. The focus is on the analysis of equilibrium line altitude and catchment runoff. The observed changes are expected to have a direct impact on environmental conditions in coastal waters and biota.
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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...
