Improved modelling of ice-ocean processes
Thursday, May 19, 2016 - 08:21
in Earth & Climate
Pine Island Glacier in West Antarctica is currently one of the single biggest contributors to sea-level rise with an estimated volume loss of 1.2mm sea-level equivalent per decade. The loss is caused, at least partly, by ocean currents in the neighbouring Amundsen Sea, which bring increased volumes of warm water to its base. This leads to increased melting of the floating ice shelf, and subsequent speed-up of the entire glacier.