Marine Ice Sheet Collapse Potentially Under Way for the Thwaites Glacier Basin, West Antarctica
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory · University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory
Abstract
Resting atop a deep marine basin, the West Antarctic Ice Sheet has long been considered prone to instability. Using a numerical model, we investigated the sensitivity of Thwaites Glacier to ocean melt and whether its unstable retreat is already under way. Our model reproduces observed losses when forced with ocean melt comparable to estimates. Simulated losses are moderate (1 mm per year of sea-level rise) collapse in the different simulations within the range of 200 to 900 years.
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 78.72
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 37
Authors
3- IJIan JoughinCorresponding
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory
- BEB. E. Smith
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory
- BMBrooke Medley
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory
Topics & keywords
- Geology
- Glacier
- Ice sheet
- Future sea level
- Sea level rise
- Structural basin
- Antarctic ice sheet
- Climatology
- Life below water