Estimating the Greenland ice sheet surface mass balance contribution to future sea level rise using the regional atmospheric climate model MAR
To estimate the sea level rise (SLR) originating from changes in surface mass balance (SMB) of the Greenland ice sheet (GrIS), we present 21st century climate projections obtained with the regional climate model MAR (Modèle Atmosphérique Régional), forced by output of three CMIP5 (Coupled Model Inte...
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Copernicus Publications
2013-03-01
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Series: | The Cryosphere |
Online Access: | http://www.the-cryosphere.net/7/469/2013/tc-7-469-2013.pdf |
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author | X. Fettweis B. Franco M. Tedesco J. H. van Angelen J. T. M. Lenaerts M. R. van den Broeke H. Gallée |
author_facet | X. Fettweis B. Franco M. Tedesco J. H. van Angelen J. T. M. Lenaerts M. R. van den Broeke H. Gallée |
author_sort | X. Fettweis |
collection | DOAJ |
description | To estimate the sea level rise (SLR) originating from changes in surface mass balance (SMB) of the Greenland ice sheet (GrIS), we present 21st century climate projections obtained with the regional climate model MAR (Modèle Atmosphérique Régional), forced by output of three CMIP5 (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5) general circulation models (GCMs). Our results indicate that in a warmer climate, mass gain from increased winter snowfall over the GrIS does not compensate mass loss through increased meltwater run-off in summer. Despite the large spread in the projected near-surface warming, all the MAR projections show similar non-linear increase of GrIS surface melt volume because no change is projected in the general atmospheric circulation over Greenland. By coarsely estimating the GrIS SMB changes from GCM output, we show that the uncertainty from the GCM-based forcing represents about half of the projected SMB changes. In 2100, the CMIP5 ensemble mean projects a GrIS SMB decrease equivalent to a mean SLR of +4 ± 2 cm and +9 ± 4 cm for the RCP (Representative Concentration Pathways) 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios respectively. These estimates do not consider the positive melt–elevation feedback, although sensitivity experiments using perturbed ice sheet topographies consistent with the projected SMB changes demonstrate that this is a significant feedback, and highlight the importance of coupling regional climate models to an ice sheet model. Such a coupling will allow the assessment of future response of both surface processes and ice-dynamic changes to rising temperatures, as well as their mutual feedbacks. |
first_indexed | 2024-04-12T20:13:48Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-7f088c7ec4784abd8202d5b98e13ad6a |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 1994-0416 1994-0424 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-04-12T20:13:48Z |
publishDate | 2013-03-01 |
publisher | Copernicus Publications |
record_format | Article |
series | The Cryosphere |
spelling | doaj.art-7f088c7ec4784abd8202d5b98e13ad6a2022-12-22T03:18:10ZengCopernicus PublicationsThe Cryosphere1994-04161994-04242013-03-017246948910.5194/tc-7-469-2013Estimating the Greenland ice sheet surface mass balance contribution to future sea level rise using the regional atmospheric climate model MARX. FettweisB. FrancoM. TedescoJ. H. van AngelenJ. T. M. LenaertsM. R. van den BroekeH. GalléeTo estimate the sea level rise (SLR) originating from changes in surface mass balance (SMB) of the Greenland ice sheet (GrIS), we present 21st century climate projections obtained with the regional climate model MAR (Modèle Atmosphérique Régional), forced by output of three CMIP5 (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5) general circulation models (GCMs). Our results indicate that in a warmer climate, mass gain from increased winter snowfall over the GrIS does not compensate mass loss through increased meltwater run-off in summer. Despite the large spread in the projected near-surface warming, all the MAR projections show similar non-linear increase of GrIS surface melt volume because no change is projected in the general atmospheric circulation over Greenland. By coarsely estimating the GrIS SMB changes from GCM output, we show that the uncertainty from the GCM-based forcing represents about half of the projected SMB changes. In 2100, the CMIP5 ensemble mean projects a GrIS SMB decrease equivalent to a mean SLR of +4 ± 2 cm and +9 ± 4 cm for the RCP (Representative Concentration Pathways) 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios respectively. These estimates do not consider the positive melt–elevation feedback, although sensitivity experiments using perturbed ice sheet topographies consistent with the projected SMB changes demonstrate that this is a significant feedback, and highlight the importance of coupling regional climate models to an ice sheet model. Such a coupling will allow the assessment of future response of both surface processes and ice-dynamic changes to rising temperatures, as well as their mutual feedbacks.http://www.the-cryosphere.net/7/469/2013/tc-7-469-2013.pdf |
spellingShingle | X. Fettweis B. Franco M. Tedesco J. H. van Angelen J. T. M. Lenaerts M. R. van den Broeke H. Gallée Estimating the Greenland ice sheet surface mass balance contribution to future sea level rise using the regional atmospheric climate model MAR The Cryosphere |
title | Estimating the Greenland ice sheet surface mass balance contribution to future sea level rise using the regional atmospheric climate model MAR |
title_full | Estimating the Greenland ice sheet surface mass balance contribution to future sea level rise using the regional atmospheric climate model MAR |
title_fullStr | Estimating the Greenland ice sheet surface mass balance contribution to future sea level rise using the regional atmospheric climate model MAR |
title_full_unstemmed | Estimating the Greenland ice sheet surface mass balance contribution to future sea level rise using the regional atmospheric climate model MAR |
title_short | Estimating the Greenland ice sheet surface mass balance contribution to future sea level rise using the regional atmospheric climate model MAR |
title_sort | estimating the greenland ice sheet surface mass balance contribution to future sea level rise using the regional atmospheric climate model mar |
url | http://www.the-cryosphere.net/7/469/2013/tc-7-469-2013.pdf |
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