AGU: Geophysical Research Letters

 

Editors' Highlight

Modeling oceanic forcing of ice sheet loss in Antarctica

The West Antarctic Ice Sheet has been rapidly losing mass to the oceans over recent decades. The most significant losses have occurred across the Amundsen Sea coastline, where dynamical changes in outlet glaciers have led to increased discharge. The synchronous response of several independent glaciers is generally considered an indicator that the changes are being forced by warming ocean waters. Scientists have documented deep flooding over the Amundsen Sea's continental shelf by almost unmodified Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW); though cold, this deep water is several degrees above freezing and drives rapid melting of the floating terminus of the Pine Island Glacier. To learn more, Thoma et al. (2008) modeled ocean circulation in the Amundsen Sea. They found that influx of CDW is related to regional wind forcing, which can drive seasonal on-shelf flow that varies in strength from year to year. A modeled period of warming following low CDW influx in the late 1980s and early 1990s coincides with a period of observed thinning and acceleration of Pine Island Glacier, suggesting that CDW fluctuations may be driving the observed glaciological changes.

View abstract

View full article (Subscription required)