History of, and Mechanisms Leading to, Post-LGM Retreat of the West Antarctic

摘要项目负责人：John B. anderson项目编号：0837925题目：南极西部冰盖lgm后退缩的历史及其机制该奖项由2009年美国复苏与再投资法案（公法111-5）资助。南极西部冰原被认为很容易受到气候变化的影响，因为它位于海平面以下，被快速流动的冰流排干，并被漂浮的冰架所包围，相对温暖的南极环极水的入侵容易使其融化。目前，南极洲冰川变薄最快的地区是阿蒙森海和别令斯豪森海。这项研究试图将目前的观测结果置于更长期的地质背景中。将研究自最后一次极大期以来导致南极西部大陆架冰盖退缩的机制。这项研究将以以前的一些调查为基础，填补该地区的关键数据空白。在别林斯高森（玛格丽特湾）、阿蒙森（松岛湾）和罗斯海东部的大陆架上，将通过瑞典破冰船奥登号的专门科学时间进行深度测绘和冰川遗迹的直接采样。将根据详细的条形图选择Kasten取心地点。对新岩心和现有岩心中的冰川期海洋沉积物进行放射性碳定年，将精确确定退缩事件的时间。将研究古冰流的地貌特征，如接地线楔和冰冲，以评估退缩是连续发生还是偶然发生。沉积物将被检查，以寻找退缩期间温暖海水入侵的古生物证据，以及可能的融水起源的矿物证据。更广泛的影响：该项目与来自美国、瑞典、英国、法国、日本和波兰的同事合作。它将需要在莱斯大学培训三名博士生，从而为他们提供国际实地工作经验。其中一个将在这个项目的过程中过渡到博士后状态。一名本科生也将参与研究的实地考察阶段。PI希望继续积极参与莱斯大学休斯顿地区的高中教师拓展项目，以及向生活在辅助生活和退休设施中的老年人传播科学的单独项目。

AbstractPI: John B. AndersonProposal Number: 0837925Title: History of, and Mechanisms Leading to, Post-LGM Retreat of the West Antarctic Ice SheetThis award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). The West Antarctic Ice Sheet is believed to be vulnerable to climate change as it is grounded below sea level, is drained by rapidly flowing ice streams and is fringed by floating ice shelves subject to melting by incursions of relatively warm Antarctic circumpolar water. Currently, the most rapidly thinning glaciers in Antarctica occur in the Amundsen and Bellingshausen Sea sectors. This study seeks to place the present day observations into a longer-term geological context. Mechanisms that led to the retreat of the ice sheet from the West Antarctic continental shelf since the last glacial maximum will be investigated. This study will build on a number of previous investigations and fill in key data gaps in the region. Bathymetric mapping and direct sampling of relict glacial features on the continental shelves of the Bellingshausen (Marguerite Bay), Amundsen (Pine Island Bay) and eastern Ross Seas will be conducted via dedicated science time on the Swedish Icebreaker Oden. Sites for Kasten coring will be selected on the basis of detailed swath mapping. Radiocarbon dating of glaciomarine deposits in the new and existing cores will refine the timing of retreat events. Geomorphic features of paleo ice streams such as grounding line wedges and ice scours will be examined to assess whether the retreat occurred continuously and/or episodically. Sediments will be examined for paleontological evidence of warm ocean water intrusions during retreat as well as for mineral evidence of possible melt water origins.Broader impacts:This project is collaborative with colleagues from the US, Sweden, the UK, France, Japan and Poland. It will entail the training of three PhD students at Rice University and so afford them international field work experience. One of these will be transitioning to post-doc status in the course of this project. An undergraduate student will also be involved in the fieldwork phase of the research. The PI expects to continue to be active in Rice University's Houston area high school teacher outreach program as well as a separate program to convey science to elderly people confined in assisted living and retirement facilities.