Reconciling Solid Earth and Ice Sheet Temperature Estimates for Greenland

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Jörg Ebbing
• Subject Area: Geophysics
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 535728086

In our proposed project, we plan to analyse the thermal state of the Greenland ice sheet and lithosphere with a focus on reconciling temperature estimates for the two geospaces. Considerable differences exist in existing models and we first carry out robust geostatistical analysis of the uncertainties of both geothermal observations and ice temperature profiles. These point/profile-wise estimates will be first linked on a local scale by using auxiliary geophysical data (radar, gravity, magnetics) from airborne surveys in order to verify the compatibility of the estimates. In the second step, we will extend the analysis to the entire ice-sheet using temperature estimates from the SMOS satellite mission and all available geophysical data to describe both the thermal state and the geological conditions at the base of the ice-top bed interface. We will also extend our analysis to assess possibility by using a potentially improved ice temperature model, which is one of the objectives of the CryoRad satellite mission proposed as one candidate for the Earth Explorer Call 12 by the European Space Agency. All thermal models will be tested as input in models of the ice-sheet dynamics with a focus on clarifying the role of a thermal anomaly at the onset of the Northeast Greenland ice stream.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Denmark
• Cooperation Partner: Dr. Nanna B. Karlsson