Winter motion mediates dynamic response of the Greenland Ice Sheet to warmer summers

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Version: Final published version
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Serval ID
serval:BIB_136CF08A38AD
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Title
Winter motion mediates dynamic response of the Greenland Ice Sheet to warmer summers
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
Author(s)
Sole Andrew, Nienow Peter, Bartholomew Ian, Mair Douglas, Cowton Thomas, Tedstone Andrew, King Matt A.
ISSN
0094-8276
1944-8007
Publication state
Published
Issued date
16/08/2013
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
40
Number
15
Pages
3940-3944
Language
english
Abstract
We present ice velocities from a land-terminating transect extending >115 km into the western Greenland Ice Sheet during three contrasting melt years (2009–2011) to determine whether enhanced melting accelerates dynamic mass loss. We find no significant correlation between surface melt and annual ice flow. There is however a positive correlation between melt and summer ice displacement, but a negative correlation with winter displacement. This response is consistent with hydro-dynamic coupling; enhanced summer ice flow results from longer periods of increasing surface melting and greater duration ice surface to bed connections, while reduced winter motion is explicable by drainage of high basal water pressure regions by larger more extensive subglacial channels. Despite mean interannual surface melt variability of up to 70%, mean annual ice velocities changed by <7.5%. Increased summer melting thereby preconditions the ice-bed interface for reduced winter motion resulting in limited dynamic sensitivity to interannual variations in surface melting.
Keywords
Greenland ice sheet, Ice sheet dynamics, Ice sheet hydrology, Global Positioning Systems, Ice sheet melt
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Create date
29/08/2024 10:03
Last modification date
25/11/2024 17:25
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