Ocean forced variability of Totten Glacier mass loss

A large volume of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet drains through the Totten Glacier (TG) and is thought to be a potential source of substantial global sea-level rise over the coming centuries. We show that the surface velocity and height of the floating part of the TG, which buttresses the grounded com...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geological Society, London, Special Publications
Main Authors: Roberts, J, Galton-Fenzi, BK, Paolo, FS, Donnelly, C, Gwyther, DE, Padman, L, Young, D, Warner, R, Greenbaum, J, Fricker, HA, Payne, AJ, Cornford, S, Le Brocq, A, van Ommen, T, Blankenship, D, Siegert, MJ
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Geological Society Publishing House 2017
Subjects:
Earth Sciences
Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience
Glaciology
Antarctic
East Antarctic Ice Sheet
Totten Glacier
Antarc*
Ice Sheet
Ice Shelf
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1144/SP461.6
http://ecite.utas.edu.au/120525
Description
Summary:A large volume of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet drains through the Totten Glacier (TG) and is thought to be a potential source of substantial global sea-level rise over the coming centuries. We show that the surface velocity and height of the floating part of the TG, which buttresses the grounded component, have varied substantially over two decades (19892011), with variations in surface height strongly anti-correlated with simulated basal melt rates ( r = 0.70, p < 0.05). Coupled glacierice shelf simulations confirm that ice flow and thickness respond to both basal melting of the ice shelf and grounding on bed obstacles. We conclude the observed variability of the TG is primarily ocean-driven. Ocean warming in this region will lead to enhanced ice-sheet dynamism and loss of upstream grounded ice.

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