Large-scale experiments into the tsunamigenic potential of different iceberg calving mechanisms

• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-36634-3
• Publication Date: 2019-01-29T11:03:17Z
• Authors: Valentin Heller; Fan Chen; Markus Brühl; Roman Gabl; Xuexue Chen; Guido Wolters; Helge Fuchs
• Keywords: Iceberg

Abstract Mass balance analysis of ice sheets is a key component to understand the effects global warming. A significant sheet and shelf mass iceberg calving, which can generate large tsunamis endangering human beings coastal infrastructure. Such iceberg-tsunamis have reached amplitudes 50 m destroyed harbours. Calving icebergs interact with surrounding water through different mechanisms we investigate five; A: capsizing, B: gravity-dominated fall, C: buoyancy-dominated D: overturning E: overturning. Gravity-dominated essentially fall into body whereas rise surface. We find unique large-scale laboratory experiments that iceberg-tsunami heights from (B D) are roughly an order magnitude larger than A, C E. theoretical model for released energy supports this finding measured wave periods upscaled Greenlandic outlet glaciers agree field observations. Whilst existing empirical equations landslide-tsunamis establish estimates upper envelope maximum heights, they fail capture physics most mechanisms.