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Strong ice-ocean interaction beneath Shirase Glacier Tongue in East Antarctica

Author

Listed:
  • Daisuke Hirano

    (Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University
    Arctic Research Center, Hokkaido University)

  • Takeshi Tamura

    (National Institute of Polar Research
    The Graduate University for Advanced Studies
    Antarctic Climate & Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre, University of Tasmania)

  • Kazuya Kusahara

    (Antarctic Climate & Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre, University of Tasmania
    Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology)

  • Kay I. Ohshima

    (Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University
    Arctic Research Center, Hokkaido University)

  • Keith W. Nicholls

    (British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council)

  • Shuki Ushio

    (National Institute of Polar Research
    The Graduate University for Advanced Studies)

  • Daisuke Simizu

    (National Institute of Polar Research)

  • Kazuya Ono

    (Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University)

  • Masakazu Fujii

    (National Institute of Polar Research
    The Graduate University for Advanced Studies)

  • Yoshifumi Nogi

    (National Institute of Polar Research
    The Graduate University for Advanced Studies)

  • Shigeru Aoki

    (Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University)

Abstract

Mass loss from the Antarctic ice sheet, Earth’s largest freshwater reservoir, results directly in global sea-level rise and Southern Ocean freshening. Observational and modeling studies have demonstrated that ice shelf basal melting, resulting from the inflow of warm water onto the Antarctic continental shelf, plays a key role in the ice sheet’s mass balance. In recent decades, warm ocean-cryosphere interaction in the Amundsen and Bellingshausen seas has received a great deal of attention. However, except for Totten Ice Shelf, East Antarctic ice shelves typically have cold ice cavities with low basal melt rates. Here we present direct observational evidence of high basal melt rates (7–16 m yr−1) beneath an East Antarctic ice shelf, Shirase Glacier Tongue, driven by southward-flowing warm water guided by a deep continuous trough extending to the continental slope. The strength of the alongshore wind controls the thickness of the inflowing warm water layer and the rate of basal melting.

Suggested Citation

  • Daisuke Hirano & Takeshi Tamura & Kazuya Kusahara & Kay I. Ohshima & Keith W. Nicholls & Shuki Ushio & Daisuke Simizu & Kazuya Ono & Masakazu Fujii & Yoshifumi Nogi & Shigeru Aoki, 2020. "Strong ice-ocean interaction beneath Shirase Glacier Tongue in East Antarctica," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-17527-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17527-4
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    Cited by:

    1. H. W. Yang & T.-W. Kim & Pierre Dutrieux & A. K. Wåhlin & Adrian Jenkins & H. K. Ha & C. S. Kim & K.-H. Cho & T. Park & S. H. Lee & Y.-K. Cho, 2022. "Seasonal variability of ocean circulation near the Dotson Ice Shelf, Antarctica," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. James R. Jordan & B. W. J. Miles & G. H. Gudmundsson & S. S. R. Jamieson & A. Jenkins & C. R. Stokes, 2023. "Increased warm water intrusions could cause mass loss in East Antarctica during the next 200 years," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Daisuke Hirano & Takeshi Tamura & Kazuya Kusahara & Masakazu Fujii & Kaihe Yamazaki & Yoshihiro Nakayama & Kazuya Ono & Takuya Itaki & Yuichi Aoyama & Daisuke Simizu & Kohei Mizobata & Kay I. Ohshima , 2023. "On-shelf circulation of warm water toward the Totten Ice Shelf in East Antarctica," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.
    4. Eliza J. Dawson & Dustin M. Schroeder & Winnie Chu & Elisa Mantelli & Hélène Seroussi, 2022. "Ice mass loss sensitivity to the Antarctic ice sheet basal thermal state," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.

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