Gasson, E., DeConto, R. and Pollard, D. (2015) Antarctic bedrock topography uncertainty and ice sheet stability. Geophysical Research Letters, 42 (13). pp. 5372-5377. ISSN 0094-8276
Abstract
All Rights Reserved. Antarctic bedrock elevation estimates have uncertainties exceeding 1km in certain regions. Bedrock elevation, particularly where the bedrock is below sea level and bordering the ocean, can have a large impact on ice sheet stability. We investigate how present-day bedrock elevation uncertainty affects ice sheet model simulations for a generic past warm period based on the mid-Pliocene, although these uncertainties are also relevant to present-day and future ice sheet stability. We perform an ensemble of simulations with random topographic noise added with various length scales and with amplitudes tuned to the uncertainty of the Bedmap2 data set. Total Antarctic ice sheet retreat in these simulations varies between 12.6 and 17.9m equivalent sea level rise after 3kyrs of warm climate forcing. This study highlights the sensitivity of ice sheet models to existing uncertainties in bedrock elevation and the ongoing need for new data acquisition. Key Points Quantify how Antarctic bed elevation uncertainty affects ice sheet simulations Simulate retreat of the Antarctic ice sheet for a warm Pliocene climate Identify key areas for future improvements to bed elevation data.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2015 American Geophysical Union. Reproduced in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > Department of Geography (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 22 Apr 2016 13:10 |
Last Modified: | 27 Jun 2017 00:38 |
Published Version: | https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/2015GL064322 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | American Geophysical Union |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1002/2015GL064322 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:98022 |