Damage accelerates ice shelf instability and mass loss in Amundsen Sea Embayment

• Main Authors: Lhermitte, S., Sun, S., Shuman, C., Wouters, B., Pattyn, F., Wuite, J., Berthier, E., Nagler, T.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2020
• Subjects: Amundsen Sea; Pine Island Glacier; Thwaites Glacier; Antarc*; Antarctica; Ice Shelf; Ice Shelves; Pine Island
• Online Access: https://www.vliz.be/imisdocs/publications/361497.pdf

Pine Island Glacier and Thwaites Glacier in the Amundsen Sea Embayment are among the fastest changing outlet glaciers in Antarctica. Yet, projecting the future of these glaciers remains a major uncertainty for sea level rise. Here we use satellite imagery to show the development of damage areas with crevasses and open fractures on Pine Island and Thwaites ice shelves. These damage areas are first signs of their structural weakening as they precondition these ice shelves for disintegration. Model results that include the damage mechanism highlight the importance of damage for ice shelf stability, grounding line retreat, and future sea level contributions from Antarctica. Moreover, they underline the need for incorporating damage processes in models to improve sea level rise projections.