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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2011
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ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:d055c2abbfa246a9b418d3466f27df1e 2023-05-15T13:58:21+02:00 An improved semi-empirical model for the densification of Antarctic firn S. R. M. Ligtenberg M. M. Helsen M. R. van den Broeke 2011-10-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-5-809-2011 https://doaj.org/article/d055c2abbfa246a9b418d3466f27df1e EN eng Copernicus Publications http://www.the-cryosphere.net/5/809/2011/tc-5-809-2011.pdf https://doaj.org/toc/1994-0416 https://doaj.org/toc/1994-0424 doi:10.5194/tc-5-809-2011 1994-0416 1994-0424 https://doaj.org/article/d055c2abbfa246a9b418d3466f27df1e The Cryosphere, Vol 5, Iss 4, Pp 809-819 (2011) Environmental sciences GE1-350 Geology QE1-996.5 article 2011 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-5-809-2011 2022-12-31T13:35:31Z 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. Article in Journal/Newspaper Antarc* Antarctic Ice Sheet The Cryosphere Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles Antarctic The Antarctic The Cryosphere 5 4 809 819 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
op_collection_id |
ftdoajarticles |
language |
English |
topic |
Environmental sciences GE1-350 Geology QE1-996.5 |
spellingShingle |
Environmental sciences GE1-350 Geology QE1-996.5 S. R. M. Ligtenberg M. M. Helsen M. R. van den Broeke An improved semi-empirical model for the densification of Antarctic firn |
topic_facet |
Environmental sciences GE1-350 Geology QE1-996.5 |
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 |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
S. R. M. Ligtenberg M. M. Helsen M. R. van den Broeke |
author_facet |
S. R. M. Ligtenberg M. M. Helsen M. R. van den Broeke |
author_sort |
S. R. M. Ligtenberg |
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 |
publisher |
Copernicus Publications |
publishDate |
2011 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-5-809-2011 https://doaj.org/article/d055c2abbfa246a9b418d3466f27df1e |
geographic |
Antarctic The Antarctic |
geographic_facet |
Antarctic The Antarctic |
genre |
Antarc* Antarctic Ice Sheet The Cryosphere |
genre_facet |
Antarc* Antarctic Ice Sheet The Cryosphere |
op_source |
The Cryosphere, Vol 5, Iss 4, Pp 809-819 (2011) |
op_relation |
http://www.the-cryosphere.net/5/809/2011/tc-5-809-2011.pdf https://doaj.org/toc/1994-0416 https://doaj.org/toc/1994-0424 doi:10.5194/tc-5-809-2011 1994-0416 1994-0424 https://doaj.org/article/d055c2abbfa246a9b418d3466f27df1e |
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 |
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1766266580341096448 |