Modelling ice shelf flow over isolated bathymetric rises on the sea floor

• Main Authors: Still, Holly, Hulbe, Christina
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: unknown
• Published: The University of Auckland 2019
• Subjects: 90903 Geospatial Information Systems; FOS Environmental engineering; Ross Ice Shelf; West Antarctica; Antarc*; Antarctica; Ice Sheet; Ice Shelf
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.17608/k6.auckland.9842123.v1; https://auckland.figshare.com/articles/Modelling_ice_shelf_flow_over_isolated_bathymetric_rises_on_the_sea_floor/9842123/1

Pinning points are localised regions of grounding within an ice shelf that generate resistance to ice flow, and in turn, affect grounding line and tributary glacier dynamics. Large pinning points (ice rises) are known to contribute to flow resistance and ice shelf stability but are unlikely to change over the coming decades while smaller-scale pinning points (ice rumples) are more vulnerable to change. The ungrounding of an ice shelf from small-scale pinning points may lead to faster ice flow, thinning, and grounding line retreat. This study investigates the flow-resistance generated by pinning points in the Ross Ice Shelf, West Antarctica. We use the Ice Sheet System Model to assess how changes in pinning point configuration (i.e., loss of contact with small-scale pinning points) will affect future ice flow.