Observations and Modeling of Ocean - Ice Sheet Interaction in Jakobshavn and Helheim Ice Fjords, Greenland

在过去的十年里，卫星观测表明，格陵兰峡湾的浮冰舌一直在退缩，一些出口冰川在通往海洋的途中速度加快了一倍。该项目的目的是提高对海洋在格陵兰冰盖边缘如此快速、动态变化中的作用的认识，并量化这种变化对未来全球海平面的潜在影响。这将通过在两个主要峡湾进行为期五年的海洋学和气象观测来实现：一个在西海岸的雅各布港，另一个在东海岸的赫尔海姆。水文观测，特别是水温，以及深入这些峡湾的水深测量是了解海洋沃茨如何与格陵兰冰盖边缘相互作用的关键因素。海洋学和气象观测将用于开发和验证一个海洋-冰盖耦合计算机模型，该模型将有助于更好地了解导致海平面上升的过程。这项研究的更广泛的影响包括两名研究生参与计算机建模和实地考察。首席研究员和研究生还将在格陵兰定居点举行讲座，PI将继续与雅各布港峡湾附近的Ilullisat博物馆合作。

Over the last decade, satellite observations have shown that the floating ice tongues in Greenland's fjords have been retreating and that some outlet glaciers are doubling speed en route to the ocean. The purpose of this project is to improve the understanding of the role of the ocean in such fast, dynamical changes at the margin of the Greenland Ice Sheet, and to quantify the potential for contribution of such change to future global sea level. This will be achieved by making oceanographic and meteorological observations over a period of five years at two key fjords: one on the west coast, Jakobshavn, and the other on the east coast, Helheim. Observations of the hydrography, particularly water temperature, and bathymetry deep into these fjords are critical elements in understanding how ocean waters interact with the margin of the Greenland Ice Sheet. The oceanographic and meteorological observations will be used to develop and validate a coupled ocean- ice sheet computer model that will enable improved understanding of processes that contribute to sea level rise. The broader impacts of the study include the involvement of two graduate students in the computer modeling and fieldwork. The principal investigator and graduate students will also give talks in the Greenland settlements where they will be based, and the PI will continue his collaboration with the Ilullisat Museum near Jakobshavn Fjord.