On the Flow within the Transition Zone between Ice Sheet and Ice Shelf

1987 ◽  
pp. 185-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Herterich
Keyword(s):  
Transition Zone ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Ice Shelf

scholarly journals Modelling of a marine glacier and ice-sheet-ice-shelf transition zone based on asymptotic analysis

1996 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
pp. 59-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir A. Chugunov ◽  
Alexander V. Wilchinsky
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Conditions ◽  
Transition Zone ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Ice Shelf ◽  
Stream Length ◽  
Glacier Surface ◽  
Ice Surface ◽  
Grounding Line ◽  
The Difference

All parts of a two-dimensional, isothermal, stationary marine glacier (grounded ice sheet, ice shelf and transition zone) with constant viscosity are analysed by perturbation methods. In so doing, all zones of different flow patterns can be considered separately. Correlations between spatial scales for all parts can be expressed in terms of the typical ice-surface slope distant from the ocean, which reflects exterior conditions of the glacier’s existence. In considering the ice-sheet–ice-shelf transition zone, a small parameter characterizing the difference between ice and water densities is used. Such an analysis allows us to find boundary conditions at the grounding line for the grounded ice mass. Glacier-surface profiles are determined by numerical methods. The grounding-line position found by using the boundary conditions derived in this paper differs from that obtained by using Thomas and Bentley’s (1978) boundary conditions by about 10% of the grounded ice-stream length.

scholarly journals A Simplified Three-Dimensional Ice-Sheet Model Including Ice Shelves

1990 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 17-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
W.J. Böhmer ◽  
K. Herterich
Keyword(s):  
Transition Zone ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Coupled System ◽  
Horizontal Resolution ◽  
Ice Age ◽  
Ice Shelf ◽  
Ice Shelves ◽  
Grounding Line ◽  
The Antarctic

We present a simplified numerical three-dimensional ice-sheet/ice-shelf model with a coarse horizontal resolution (100 km), designed for simulations of ice-volume changes on ice-age time scales (100 000 years and longer). The ice-sheet part uses the shallow-ice approximation to determine the flow, and includes a three-dimensional temperature calculation. The ice shelf is described in a quasi-stationary way. Ice-shelf thickness depends only on the thicknesses at the grounding line and the distances to the grounding line. The effect of the transition zone between ice sheet and ice shelf (assuming a width ≪100 km) is parameterized in terms of the ice thicknesses defined on the coarse grid. The characteristics at the base of the transition zone formally enter through a friction coefficient μ. We performed a series of sensitivity experiments with the coupled system, by integrating over 10 000 model years, starting from the present (modelled) state of the Antarctic and forcing the model by currently-observed accumulation rates. The position of the grounding line of the ice-sheet/ice-shelf model is quite sensitive to the choice of the friction parameter μ (in the range 0.025 > μ > 0.01). With μ = 0.05, the grounding line was maintained at the currently-observed position in the model.

scholarly journals A two-dimensional finite-element study of flow in the transition zone between an ice sheet and an ice shelf

1994 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 67-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renaud Lestringant
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Transition Zone ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Ice Shelf ◽  
Sharp Transition ◽  
Transition Zones ◽  
Dimensional Finite Element

A numerical study has been carried out on the flow of ice in the transition zone between an ice sheet and an ice shelf. The study was motivated by the need for global ice-sheet-ice-shelf modelling to determine the characteristics of the transition zone. The problem is dealt with from an academic viewpoint, and the study especially focuses on two-dimensional vertical sharp transition zones. Stokes equations are solved using a finite-element method. Conclusions include: (1) in ice-sheet-ice-shelf modelling, each of the two components can be computed separately then linked by a jump-boundary condition [or the horizontal velocity; (2) as shown by studies on the response of an ice shelf to tidal forcing, the surface elevation/thickness ratio passes through the hydrostatic equilibrium value.

scholarly journals Parameterization of basal hydrology near grounding lines in a one-dimensional ice sheet model

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 363-419
Author(s):  
G. R. Leguy ◽  
X. S. Asay-Davis ◽  
W. H. Lipscomb
Keyword(s):  
Transition Zone ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Smooth Transition ◽  
Ice Shelf ◽  
Ice Shelves ◽  
One Dimensional ◽  
Basal Friction ◽  
Hydrological System ◽  
Intercomparison Project ◽  
Basal Shear

Abstract. Ice sheets and ice shelves are linked by the transition zone, the region where the grounded ice lifts off the bedrock and begins to float. Adequate resolution of the transition zone is necessary for numerically accurate ice sheet–ice shelf simulations. The required resolution depends on how the basal physics is parameterized. We propose a new, simple parameterization of the basal hydrology in a one-dimensional vertically integrated model. This parameterization accounts for connectivity between the basal hydrological system and the ocean in the transition zone. Our model produces a smooth transition between finite basal friction in the ice sheet and zero basal friction in the ice shelf. Through a set of experiments based on the Marine Ice Sheet Model Intercomparison Project (MISMIP), we show that a smoother basal shear stress, in addition to adding physical realism, significantly improves the numerical accuracy of our fixed-grid model, allowing for reliable grounding-line dynamics at resolutions ~1 km.

scholarly journals Modelling of a marine glacier and ice-sheet-ice-shelf transition zone based on asymptotic analysis

1996 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
pp. 59-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir A. Chugunov ◽  
Alexander V. Wilchinsky
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Conditions ◽  
Transition Zone ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Ice Shelf ◽  
Stream Length ◽  
Glacier Surface ◽  
Ice Surface ◽  
Grounding Line ◽  
The Difference

All parts of a two-dimensional, isothermal, stationary marine glacier (grounded ice sheet, ice shelf and transition zone) with constant viscosity are analysed by perturbation methods. In so doing, all zones of different flow patterns can be considered separately. Correlations between spatial scales for all parts can be expressed in terms of the typical ice-surface slope distant from the ocean, which reflects exterior conditions of the glacier’s existence. In considering the ice-sheet–ice-shelf transition zone, a small parameter characterizing the difference between ice and water densities is used. Such an analysis allows us to find boundary conditions at the grounding line for the grounded ice mass. Glacier-surface profiles are determined by numerical methods. The grounding-line position found by using the boundary conditions derived in this paper differs from that obtained by using Thomas and Bentley’s (1978) boundary conditions by about 10% of the grounded ice-stream length.

scholarly journals A Simplified Three-Dimensional Ice-Sheet Model Including Ice Shelves

1990 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 17-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
W.J. Böhmer ◽  
K. Herterich
Keyword(s):  
Transition Zone ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Coupled System ◽  
Horizontal Resolution ◽  
Ice Age ◽  
Ice Shelf ◽  
Ice Shelves ◽  
Grounding Line ◽  
The Antarctic

We present a simplified numerical three-dimensional ice-sheet/ice-shelf model with a coarse horizontal resolution (100 km), designed for simulations of ice-volume changes on ice-age time scales (100 000 years and longer). The ice-sheet part uses the shallow-ice approximation to determine the flow, and includes a three-dimensional temperature calculation. The ice shelf is described in a quasi-stationary way. Ice-shelf thickness depends only on the thicknesses at the grounding line and the distances to the grounding line. The effect of the transition zone between ice sheet and ice shelf (assuming a width ≪100 km) is parameterized in terms of the ice thicknesses defined on the coarse grid. The characteristics at the base of the transition zone formally enter through a friction coefficient μ. We performed a series of sensitivity experiments with the coupled system, by integrating over 10 000 model years, starting from the present (modelled) state of the Antarctic and forcing the model by currently-observed accumulation rates. The position of the grounding line of the ice-sheet/ice-shelf model is quite sensitive to the choice of the friction parameter μ (in the range 0.025 > μ > 0.01). With μ = 0.05, the grounding line was maintained at the currently-observed position in the model.

scholarly journals Parameterization of basal friction near grounding lines in a one-dimensional ice sheet model

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 1239-1259 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. R. Leguy ◽  
X. S. Asay-Davis ◽  
W. H. Lipscomb
Keyword(s):  
Shear Stress ◽  
Transition Zone ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Vertical Shear ◽  
Smooth Transition ◽  
Effective Pressure ◽  
Ice Shelf ◽  
One Dimensional ◽  
Basal Friction ◽  
Fixed Grid

Abstract. Ice sheets and ice shelves are linked by the transition zone, the region where flow dominated by vertical shear stress makes a transition to flow dominated by extensional stress. Adequate resolution of the transition zone is necessary for numerically accurate ice sheet–ice shelf simulations. The required resolution depends on how the basal physics is parameterized. We propose a~new, simple parameterization of the effective pressure near the grounding line, combined with an existing friction law linking effective pressure to basal stress and sliding, in a one-dimensional, fixed-grid, vertically integrated model. This parameterization represents connectivity between the basal hydrological system and the ocean in the transition zone. Our model produces a smooth transition between finite basal friction in the ice sheet and zero basal friction in the ice shelf. In a set of experiments based on the Marine Ice Sheet Model Intercomparison Project (MISMIP), we show that with a smoother basal shear stress, the model yields accurate steady-state results at a fixed-grid resolution of ~1 km.

scholarly journals A two-dimensional finite-element study of flow in the transition zone between an ice sheet and an ice shelf

1994 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 67-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renaud Lestringant
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Transition Zone ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Ice Shelf ◽  
Sharp Transition ◽  
Transition Zones ◽  
Dimensional Finite Element

A numerical study has been carried out on the flow of ice in the transition zone between an ice sheet and an ice shelf. The study was motivated by the need for global ice-sheet-ice-shelf modelling to determine the characteristics of the transition zone. The problem is dealt with from an academic viewpoint, and the study especially focuses on two-dimensional vertical sharp transition zones. Stokes equations are solved using a finite-element method. Conclusions include: (1) in ice-sheet-ice-shelf modelling, each of the two components can be computed separately then linked by a jump-boundary condition [or the horizontal velocity; (2) as shown by studies on the response of an ice shelf to tidal forcing, the surface elevation/thickness ratio passes through the hydrostatic equilibrium value.

scholarly journals Dynamical processes involved in the retreat of marine ice sheets

2001 ◽  
Vol 47 (157) ◽  
pp. 271-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard C.A. Hindmarsh ◽  
E. Le Meur
Keyword(s):  
Ice Sheets ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Ice Shelf ◽  
Ice Streams ◽  
Antarctic Ice Sheet ◽  
West Antarctic Ice Sheet ◽  
West Antarctic ◽  
Grounding Line ◽  
Neutral Equilibrium ◽  
Generally True

AbstractMarine ice sheets with mechanics described by the shallow-ice approximation by definition do not couple mechanically with the shelf. Such ice sheets are known to have neutral equilibria. We consider the implications of this for their dynamics and in particular for mechanisms which promote marine ice-sheet retreat. The removal of ice-shelf buttressing leading to enhanced flow in grounded ice is discounted as a significant influence on mechanical grounds. Sea-level rise leading to reduced effective pressures under ice streams is shown to be a feasible mechanism for producing postglacial West Antarctic ice-sheet retreat but is inconsistent with borehole evidence. Warming thins the ice sheet by reducing the average viscosity but does not lead to grounding-line retreat. Internal oscillations either specified or generated via a MacAyeal–Payne thermal mechanism promote migration. This is a noise-induced drift phenomenon stemming from the neutral equilibrium property of marine ice sheets. This migration occurs at quite slow rates, but these are sufficiently large to have possibly played a role in the dynamics of the West Antarctic ice sheet after the glacial maximum. Numerical experiments suggest that it is generally true that while significant changes in thickness can be caused by spatially uniform changes, spatial variability coupled with dynamical variability is needed to cause margin movement.

scholarly journals Late Quaternary paleoenvironment of the Ross Sea continental shelf, Antarctica

1998 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 275-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akira Nishimura ◽  
Toru Nakasone ◽  
Chikara Hiramatsu ◽  
Manabu Tanahashi
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Marine Environment ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Ross Sea ◽  
Late Quaternary ◽  
Sedimentary Environment ◽  
Sediment Cores ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Ice Shelf ◽  
Accelerator Mass Spectrometer

Based on sedimenlological and micropaleontological work on three sediment cores collected at about 167° Ε in the western Ross Sea, Antarctica, and accelerator mass spectrometer l4C ages of organic carbon, we have reconstructed environmental changes in the area during the late Quaternary. Since 38 ka BP at latest, this area was a marine environment with low productivity. A grounded ice sheet advanced and loaded the sediments before about 30-25 ka BP. After 25 ka BP, the southernmost site (76°46'S) was covered by floating ice (shelf ice), preventing deposition of coarse terrigenous materials and maintaining a supply of diatom tests and organic carbon until 20 ka BP. The northernmost site (74°33'S) was in a marine environment with a moderate productivity influenced by shelf ice/ice sheet after about 20 ka BP. Since about 10 ka BP, a sedimentary environment similar to the present-day one has prevailed over this area.

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