The 1958-2008 Greenland ice sheet surface mass balance variability simulated by the regional climate model MAR

Results made with the regional climate model MAR over 1958-2008 show a very high interannual variability of the Greenland ice sheet (GrIS) surface mass balance (SMB) modelled in average to be 330 +/- 130 km^3/yr. To a first approximation, the SMB variability is driven by the annual precipitation ano...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Fettweis, Xavier
Format: Conference Object
Language:English
Published: 2009
Subjects:
Physical
chemical
mathematical & earth Sciences
Earth sciences & physical geography
Physique
chimie
mathématiques & sciences de la terre
Sciences de la terre & géographie physique
Greenland
Ice Sheet
Online Access:https://orbi.uliege.be/handle/2268/36763
https://orbi.uliege.be/bitstream/2268/36763/1/Fettweis-2009-EGU-Poster.pdf
Description
Summary:Results made with the regional climate model MAR over 1958-2008 show a very high interannual variability of the Greenland ice sheet (GrIS) surface mass balance (SMB) modelled in average to be 330 +/- 130 km^3/yr. To a first approximation, the SMB variability is driven by the annual precipitation anomaly minus the meltwater run-off rate variability. Sensitivity experiments carried out by the MAR model evaluate the impacts on the surface melt of (i) the summer SST around the Greenland, (ii) the snow pack temperature at the beginning of the spring, (iii) the winter snow accumulation, (iv) the solid and liquid summer precipitations and (v) the summer atmospheric circulation. This last one, by forcing the summer air temperature above the ice sheet, explains mainly the surface melt anomalies.

Similar Items