The Response of Ice Shelf Basal Melting to Variations in Ocean Temperature

• DOI: 10.1175/2007jcli1909.1
• Publication Date: 2008-06-18T16:47:27Z
• Authors: Paul R. Holland; Adrian Jenkins; David M. Holland
• Keywords: Lead (geology)

Abstract A three-dimensional ocean general circulation model is used to study the response of idealized ice shelves a series ocean-warming scenarios. The predicts that total shelf basal melt increases quadratically as offshore front warms. This occurs because rate proportional product flow speed and temperature in mixed layer directly beneath shelf, both which are found increase linearly with warming. behavior this complex primitive equation can be described surprisingly well recourse an reduced system equations, it shown supports warming generally quadratic nature. confirms unifies several previous examinations relation between but disagrees other results, particularly claim single sensitivity universally valid. hypothesized does not necessarily require heat input ocean, warmer waters (or larger volumes “warm” water) may reach purely through shift circulation. Since link Antarctic Ice Sheet climate Southern Ocean, finding above-linear rise mass loss steadily warms significant importance understanding sheet evolution sea level rise.