An improved semi-empirical model for the densification of Antarctic firn
A firn densification model is presented that simulates steady-state Antarctic firn density profiles, as well as the temporal evolution of firn density and surface height. The model uses an improved firn densification expression that is tuned to fit depth-density observations. Liquid water processes...
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Language: | English |
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Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-5-809-2011 https://tc.copernicus.org/articles/5/809/2011/ |
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ftcopernicus:oai:publications.copernicus.org:tc11806 2023-05-15T13:36:36+02:00 An improved semi-empirical model for the densification of Antarctic firn Ligtenberg, S. R. M. Helsen, M. M. Broeke, M. R. 2018-09-27 info:eu-repo/semantics/application/pdf https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-5-809-2011 https://tc.copernicus.org/articles/5/809/2011/ eng eng info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/FP7/226375 doi:10.5194/tc-5-809-2011 https://tc.copernicus.org/articles/5/809/2011/ info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess eISSN: 1994-0424 info:eu-repo/semantics/Text 2018 ftcopernicus https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-5-809-2011 2020-07-20T16:25:59Z A firn densification model is presented that simulates steady-state Antarctic firn density profiles, as well as the temporal evolution of firn density and surface height. The model uses an improved firn densification expression that is tuned to fit depth-density observations. Liquid water processes (meltwater percolation, retention and refreezing) are also included. Two applications are presented. First, the steady-state model version is used to simulate the strong spatial variability in firn layer thickness across the Antarctic ice sheet. Second, the time-dependent model is run for 3 Antarctic locations with different climate conditions. Surface height changes are caused by a combination of accumulation, melting and firn densification processes. On all 3 locations, an upward trend of the surface during autumn, winter and spring is present, while during summer there is a more rapid lowering of the surface. Accumulation and (if present) melt introduce large inter-annual variability in surface height trends, possibly hiding ice dynamical thickening and thinning. Other/Unknown Material Antarc* Antarctic Ice Sheet Copernicus Publications: E-Journals Antarctic The Antarctic The Cryosphere 5 4 809 819 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Copernicus Publications: E-Journals |
op_collection_id |
ftcopernicus |
language |
English |
description |
A firn densification model is presented that simulates steady-state Antarctic firn density profiles, as well as the temporal evolution of firn density and surface height. The model uses an improved firn densification expression that is tuned to fit depth-density observations. Liquid water processes (meltwater percolation, retention and refreezing) are also included. Two applications are presented. First, the steady-state model version is used to simulate the strong spatial variability in firn layer thickness across the Antarctic ice sheet. Second, the time-dependent model is run for 3 Antarctic locations with different climate conditions. Surface height changes are caused by a combination of accumulation, melting and firn densification processes. On all 3 locations, an upward trend of the surface during autumn, winter and spring is present, while during summer there is a more rapid lowering of the surface. Accumulation and (if present) melt introduce large inter-annual variability in surface height trends, possibly hiding ice dynamical thickening and thinning. |
format |
Other/Unknown Material |
author |
Ligtenberg, S. R. M. Helsen, M. M. Broeke, M. R. |
spellingShingle |
Ligtenberg, S. R. M. Helsen, M. M. Broeke, M. R. An improved semi-empirical model for the densification of Antarctic firn |
author_facet |
Ligtenberg, S. R. M. Helsen, M. M. Broeke, M. R. |
author_sort |
Ligtenberg, S. R. M. |
title |
An improved semi-empirical model for the densification of Antarctic firn |
title_short |
An improved semi-empirical model for the densification of Antarctic firn |
title_full |
An improved semi-empirical model for the densification of Antarctic firn |
title_fullStr |
An improved semi-empirical model for the densification of Antarctic firn |
title_full_unstemmed |
An improved semi-empirical model for the densification of Antarctic firn |
title_sort |
improved semi-empirical model for the densification of antarctic firn |
publishDate |
2018 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-5-809-2011 https://tc.copernicus.org/articles/5/809/2011/ |
geographic |
Antarctic The Antarctic |
geographic_facet |
Antarctic The Antarctic |
genre |
Antarc* Antarctic Ice Sheet |
genre_facet |
Antarc* Antarctic Ice Sheet |
op_source |
eISSN: 1994-0424 |
op_relation |
info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/FP7/226375 doi:10.5194/tc-5-809-2011 https://tc.copernicus.org/articles/5/809/2011/ |
op_rights |
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-5-809-2011 |
container_title |
The Cryosphere |
container_volume |
5 |
container_issue |
4 |
container_start_page |
809 |
op_container_end_page |
819 |
_version_ |
1766081259028611072 |