COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: Response of the Northwest Greenland cryosphere to Holocene climate change

三所大学的研究人员之间的这一合作项目的目的是开发格陵兰西北部（NW）过去气候的记录，并将其与冰缘位置的记录相结合，以评估格陵兰冰盖对过去温暖时期的反应，例如全新世气候最佳时期（约5000至9000年前）。最近的研究表明，快速的冰损失正在向北扩展到格陵兰岛西北部，正如2010年8月彼得曼冰川引人注目的冰解事件所证明的那样。然而，在格陵兰西北部进行的古气候和冰盖研究很少，尽管靠近图勒空军基地的后勤中心。该研究综合了图勒地区的多种气候代用指标和冰川学模拟实验，其研究目标如下：1）通过重建的当地冰帽范围（北冰帽、图托冰帽）、冰芯稳定同位素和降水记录以及附近湖泊沉积物数据，重建格陵兰西北部全新世气候。 2)研究西北格陵兰冰盖的敏感性（地理信息系统）通过发展地理信息系统的面积范围的历史和综合代理数据与冰川学模拟实验，以检查过去的地理信息系统的变化和预测未来的地理信息系统的撤退，从拟议的研究结果将能够更准确地预测西北格陵兰冰冻圈对未来变暖的世界的反应，并提供直接相关的信息，对未来海平面上升的预测。研究人员建议通过使用简化的、基于网络的气候和冰川学模型开发教育模块来加强公众宣传和K-12科学教育。他们将让研究生和本科生参与实地和实验室研究，参加达特茅斯妇女科学项目，并与达特茅斯极地IGERT项目合作。

The aim of this collaborative project between investigators at three universities is to develop records of past climate in northwest (NW) Greenland and synthesize them with records of the position of ice margin to evaluate the response of the Greenland Ice Sheet to past warm periods, such as the Holocene Climatic Optimum (approximately 5 to 9 thousand years ago). Recent studies suggest that rapid ice loss is expanding northwards into NW Greenland, as demonstrated by the dramatic August, 2010 calving event from Petermann Glacier. However, little paleoclimate and ice sheet research has been conducted in NW Greenland, despite the proximity to a logistics center at Thule Air Base. The proposed research integrates multiple climate proxies and glaciological modeling experiments in the Thule region with the following research objectives:1) Reconstruct Holocene climate in NW Greenland via inferences from reconstructed local ice cap extents (North Ice Cap, Tuto Ice Cap), ice core stable isotope and precipitation records, and data from nearby lake sediments. 2) Examine the sensitivity of the NW Greenland Ice Sheet (GIS) to Holocene climate changes by developing the history of the areal extent of the GIS and synthesizing proxy data with glaciological modeling experiments to examine past GIS changes and predict future GIS retreat.Results from the proposed research will enable a more accurate prediction of the NW Greenland cryospheric response to a future warmer world and provide information directly relevant to predictions of future sea-­level rise. The investigators propose to enhance public outreach and K-­12 science education through development of educational modules using simplified, web-­based, climate and glaciological models. They would involve graduate and undergraduate students in field and lab research, participate in the Dartmouth Women­ In Science Project, and partner with the Dartmouth polar IGERT program.