Damage accelerates ice shelf instability and mass loss in Amundsen Sea Embayment
Lhermitte, S.; Sun, S.; Shuman, C.; Wouters, B.; Pattyn, F.; Wuite, J.; Berthier, E.; Nagler, T. (2020). Damage accelerates ice shelf instability and mass loss in Amundsen Sea Embayment. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 117(40): 24735-24741. https://hdl.handle.net/10.1073/pnas.1912890117
In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. The Academy: Washington, D.C.. ISSN 0027-8424; e-ISSN 1091-6490, more
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glaciology; Antarctica; remote sensing; ice sheet modeling; sea level rise |
| Authors | | Top |
- Lhermitte, S., more
- Sun, S., more
- Shuman, C.
- Wouters, B.
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- Pattyn, F., more
- Wuite, J.
- Berthier, E.
- Nagler, T.
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| Abstract |
Pine Island Glacier and Thwaites Glacier in the Amundsen Sea Embayment are among the fastest changing outlet glaciers in Antarctica. Yet, projecting the future of these glaciers remains a major uncertainty for sea level rise. Here we use satellite imagery to show the development of damage areas with crevasses and open fractures on Pine Island and Thwaites ice shelves. These damage areas are first signs of their structural weakening as they precondition these ice shelves for disintegration. Model results that include the damage mechanism highlight the importance of damage for ice shelf stability, grounding line retreat, and future sea level contributions from Antarctica. Moreover, they underline the need for incorporating damage processes in models to improve sea level rise projections. |
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