Simulation of ice sheet / sea-level feedbacks with a coupled ice sheet / solid Earth model

• Applicant: Dr. Ingo Sasgen
• Subject Area: Geodesy, Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing, Geoinformatics, Cartography ; Palaeontology
• Term: from 2013 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 248087342

Aim of the project is to simulate the dynamic interaction between the ice sheets, solid Earth and sea-level. This is done using a coupled ice sheet / solid Earth modeling system, describing the ice-sheet / ice shelf physics, viscoelastic Earth deformation, i.e. glacial-isostatic adjustmet (GIA) and gravitationally self-consistent sea-level variations. The investigations build upon the achievments of the first project phase of developing the coupled ice sheet / solid Earth modeling system, and applying it to a synthetic scenario. In this final project phase, the Antarctic ice sheet is simulated, and it will be quantified how sensitive different regions of the ice sheet respond to the various forcing in 1) basal melting, 2) surface-mass balance and 3) local sea-level variations. The (de-)stabilizing effect of the solid Earth deformation on the ice margin will be assessed, as well as the influence of the mantle rheology on grounding line position and the ice sheet dynamics. The hypothesis of an inter-hemispheric connection of the deglaciation of the Paleo ice sheets via sea-level is tested. The project will provide new insights into the mechanisms relevant for rapid deglaciation phases of the ice sheets.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants