Mass Balance and Ice Stream Mechanics in West Antarctica

这个奖项是为了支持一个为期三年的项目，研究南极洲西部的物质平衡和冰流力学。这项研究将使用最近收集的数据来进一步测试和完善冰流机械控制模型，并将改进冰流B排水系统的质量平衡计算。还将对冰流D和E的质量平衡进行首次计算，并对冰流中似乎搁浅的旧剪切边缘进行解释。这项工作将有助于更好地理解冰流存在的原因和控制它们运动的机制。由于南极西部冰盖的变化对全球海平面有直接影响，因此了解过去和现在对冰流的控制以预测其未来的走向是很重要的。＊＊＊

9316509 Whillans This award is for support for a three year program to study the mass balance and ice stream mechanics in West Antarctica. This study will use recently collected data to further test and refine models for mechanical control on the ice streams and will refine mass balance calculations of the ice stream B drainage system. The first calculations of mass balance for ice stream D and E will also be made and an explanation will be sought for what appear to be stranded old shear margins within the ice streams. This work will lead to a better understanding of the reasons for the existence of the ice streams and the mechanisms that control their movement. Because changes in the West Antarctic ice sheet have direct impacts on global sea level it is important to understand both the past and present controls on the ice streams so as to predict their future course. ***