Collaborative Research: Mass Transit: Controls on Grounding and Ungrounding at Marine Ice Sheet Outlets

该奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助的。该奖项支持南极西部接地带过程的建模研究，从基岩上的冰到海洋表面漂浮的冰的过渡，旨在了解接地线配置和出口流量快速变化的相关原因。将使用卫星遥感和数值模拟相结合的方法来调查过去和正在进行的变化模式。新的高分辨率地表高程图由卫星激光测高和远程观测地表形状的新组合制成，提供了一个独特的接地区域视图。这些数据将用于诊断与Kamb冰流关闭相关的事件，调查研究所冰流最近的一次排放事件，调查Whillans冰流出口的持续变化，以及南极西部周围的其他现代过程。作为研究项目的一部分，将使用和改进现有的冰盖、冰流和冰架流耦合的数值模型。该项目更广泛的影响与了解极地冰盖在全球海平面上升中的作用的重要性有关。这项工作将有助于政府间气候变化专门委员会（IPCC）的下一轮审议。改进对控制冰盖流出流变化的物理过程的观点、解释和见解，将有助于纠正IPCC上一份报告的缺陷。包括冰盖在海平面上升中的作用。ppi在公共宣传、专业社区参与和学生培训方面有着良好的记录。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). This award supports a modeling study of the processes in West Antarctic grounding zones, the transition from ice resting on bedrock to ice floating on the ocean surface with an eye toward understanding the interrelated causes of rapid change in grounding line configuration and outlet flow. A combination of satellite remote sensing and numerical modeling will be used to investigate both past and ongoing patterns of change. New high-resolution surface elevation maps made from a novel combination of satellite laser altimetry and remotely observed surface shape provide a unique view of grounding zones. These data will be used to diagnose events associated with the shutdown of Kamb Ice Stream, to investigate a recent discharge event on Institute Ice Stream and to investigate ongoing change at the outlet of Whillans Ice Stream, along with other modern processes around the West Antarctic. An existing numerical model of coupled ice sheet, ice stream, and ice shelf flow will be used and improved as part of the research project. The broader impacts of the project relate to the importance of understanding the role of polar ice sheets in global sea level rise. The work will contribute to the next round of deliberations for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Improved views, interpretations, and insights into the physical processes that govern variability in ice sheet outlet streams will help correct the shortcomings of the last IPCC report that didn?t include the role of ice sheets in sea level rise. The PIs have a strong record of public outreach, involvement in the professional community, and student training.