Modelling the fate of surface melt on the Larsen C Ice Shelf
<p>Surface melt lakes lower the albedo of ice shelves, leading to additional surface melting. This can substantially alter the surface energy balance and internal temperature and density profiles of the ice shelf. Evidence suggests that melt lakes also played a pivotal role in the sudden colla...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2018-11-01
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| Series: | The Cryosphere |
| Online Access: | https://www.the-cryosphere.net/12/3565/2018/tc-12-3565-2018.pdf |
| Summary: | <p>Surface melt lakes lower the albedo of ice shelves, leading to additional
surface melting. This can substantially alter the surface energy balance and
internal temperature and density profiles of the ice shelf. Evidence suggests
that melt lakes also played a pivotal role in the sudden collapse of the
Larsen B Ice Shelf in 2002.</p>
<p>Here a recently developed, high-physical-fidelity model accounting for the
development cycle of melt lakes is applied to the Larsen C Ice Shelf,
Antarctica's most northern ice shelf and one where melt lakes have been
observed. We simulate current conditions on the ice shelf using weather
station and reanalysis data and investigate the impacts of potential future
increases in precipitation and air temperature on melt lake formation, for
which
concurrent increases lead to an increase in lake depth.</p>
<p>Finally, we assess the viability in future crevasse propagation through the
ice shelf due to surface meltwater accumulation.</p> |
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| ISSN: | 1994-0416 1994-0424 |