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Complex Greenland outlet glacier flow captured

Author

Listed:
  • Andy Aschwanden

    (University of Alaska Fairbanks)

  • Mark A. Fahnestock

    (University of Alaska Fairbanks)

  • Martin Truffer

    (University of Alaska Fairbanks)

Abstract

The Greenland Ice Sheet is losing mass at an accelerating rate due to increased surface melt and flow acceleration in outlet glaciers. Quantifying future dynamic contributions to sea level requires accurate portrayal of outlet glaciers in ice sheet simulations, but to date poor knowledge of subglacial topography and limited model resolution have prevented reproduction of complex spatial patterns of outlet flow. Here we combine a high-resolution ice-sheet model coupled to uniformly applied models of subglacial hydrology and basal sliding, and a new subglacial topography data set to simulate the flow of the Greenland Ice Sheet. Flow patterns of many outlet glaciers are well captured, illustrating fundamental commonalities in outlet glacier flow and highlighting the importance of efforts to map subglacial topography. Success in reproducing present day flow patterns shows the potential for prognostic modelling of ice sheets without the need for spatially varying parameters with uncertain time evolution.

Suggested Citation

  • Andy Aschwanden & Mark A. Fahnestock & Martin Truffer, 2016. "Complex Greenland outlet glacier flow captured," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-8, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms10524
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10524
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    Cited by:

    1. Tamara Annina Gerber & David A. Lilien & Nicholas Mossor Rathmann & Steven Franke & Tun Jan Young & Fernando Valero-Delgado & M. Reza Ershadi & Reinhard Drews & Ole Zeising & Angelika Humbert & Nicola, 2023. "Crystal orientation fabric anisotropy causes directional hardening of the Northeast Greenland Ice Stream," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Nicholas R. Golledge, 2020. "Long‐term projections of sea‐level rise from ice sheets," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 11(2), March.

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