Quantification of Changes for the Milne Ice Shelf, Nunavut, Canada, 1950 - 2009

• Main Author: Mortimer, Colleen Adel
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa 2011
• Subjects: Ice Shelf; Arctic change; Glaciology; Ground penetrating radar; Ellesmere Island; Arctic; Canada; Milne Ice Shelf; Nunavut; Ward Hunt Ice Shelf
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.20381/ruor-4428; http://www.ruor.uottawa.ca/handle/10393/19773

This study presents a comprehensive overview of the current state of the Milne Ice Shelf and how it has changed over the last 59 years. The 205 ±1 km2 ice shelf experienced a 28% (82 ±0.8 km2) reduction in area between 1950 – 2009, and a 20% (2.5 ±0.9km3 water equivalent (w.e.)) reduction in volume between 1981 – 2008/2009, suggesting a long-term state of negative mass balance. Comparison of mean annual specific mass balances (up to -0.34 m w.e. yr-1) with surface mass balance measurements for the nearby Ward Hunt Ice Shelf suggest that basal melt is a key contributor to total ice shelf thinning. The development and expansion of new and existing surface cracks, as well as ice-marginal and epishelf lake development, indicate significant ice shelf weakening. Over the next few decades it is likely that the Milne Ice Shelf will continue to deteriorate.