Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marisa Borreggine, Konstantin Latychev, Sophie Coulson, Evelyn M. Powell, Jerry X. Mitrovica, Glenn A. Milne, Richard B. Alley
Summary: The first records of Greenland Vikings date back to 985 CE, but the reasons for their disappearance in the 15th century remain a mystery. Research suggests that a combination of environmental and socioeconomic factors, along with the shift in climate from the Medieval Warm Period to the Little Ice Age, may have forced them to abandon Greenland. The growth of the Southern Greenland Ice Sheet during Viking occupation caused sea-level rise near the ice margin, leading to shoreline retreat and pervasive flooding that likely contributed to the Viking abandonment of Greenland.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Marine
Ivar Kapsi, Tarmo Kall, Aive Liibusk
Summary: This article provides an overview of relative and absolute sea level rise in the Baltic Sea using various studies and models. It shows that the relative sea level rise in the Baltic Sea between 1995-2019 was between -5 to 4.5 mm/yr, with the southern area being more affected. The research also predicts a maximum relative sea level rise of 0.3 to 0.7 m in the Baltic Sea by 2100. In Estonia, the coastal area experienced a relative sea level rise of -1.1 to 3.1 mm/yr, with the west and southwest areas being most threatened.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Li Wu, David J. Wilson, Rujian Wang, Sandra Passchier, Wout Krijgsman, Xun Yu, Tingyu Wen, Wenshen Xiao, Zhifei Liu
Summary: The study explored the dynamics of the Lambert Glacier-Amery Ice Shelf system over the past approximately 520 thousand years using high-resolution sedimentary records. It was found that the system's response was sensitive to oceanic forcing and local summer insolation, with potential additional modulation by subglacial bed topography. The records indicate that the system advanced more extensively during previous late Quaternary glacial periods than during Marine Isotope Stages 2 and 4, and retreated more significantly during Marine Isotope Stage 13.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Nadescha Zwerschke, Simon A. Morley, Lloyd S. Peck, David K. A. Barnes
Summary: Coastal systems worldwide are facing unprecedented threats from climate change, but some are showing resilience and the ability to recover. Ice-scouring events have significant impacts on shallow benthic ecosystems in Antarctica, but research indicates that these systems can bounce back relatively quickly when disturbances decrease.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Hannes Nevermann, Amir AghaKouchak, Nima Shokri
Summary: Coastal wetlands provide crucial ecosystem services but are threatened by sea level rise due to climate change. Data on the interactions between natural or human-made barriers and future sea level rise are lacking. Wetlands bounded by human-made infrastructure are expected to disappear permanently.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Robert M. DeConto, David Pollard, Richard B. Alley, Isabella Velicogna, Edward Gasson, Natalya Gomez, Shaina Sadai, Alan Condron, Daniel M. Gilford, Erica L. Ashe, Robert E. Kopp, Dawei Li, Andrea Dutton
Summary: The study reveals that a 3-degree C increase in global warming could lead to rapid Antarctic ice loss, contributing to a sea-level rise of around 0.5 cm per year by 2100. Strict measures are needed to limit temperature increase and slow down the pace of sea-level rise.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Derui Xu, Xueyuan Tang, Shuhu Yang, Yun Zhang, Lijuan Wang, Lin Li, Bo Sun
Summary: In this paper, the recent ice flux and mass balance of the Lambert Glacier were systematically analyzed. The study revealed positive accumulation in the middle region of the glacier, but the values have decreased compared to the early 2000s.
Review
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Davide Zanchettin, Sara Bruni, Fabio Raicich, Piero Lionello, Fanny Adloff, Alexey Androsov, Fabrizio Antonioli, Vincenzo Artale, Eugenio Carminati, Christian Ferrarin, Vera Fofonova, Robert J. Nicholls, Sara Rubinetti, Angelo Rubino, Gianmaria Sannino, Giorgio Spada, Remi Thieblemont, Michael Tsimplis, Georg Umgiesser, Stefano Vignudelli, Guy Woppelmann, Susanna Zerbini
Summary: The city of Venice and its surrounding lagoonal ecosystem are highly vulnerable to variations in relative sea level, with historical evidence showing that subsidence has been a significant contributor to sea-level rise in Venice. Recent studies have found that after correcting for subsidence effects, the average rate of sea-level rise in Venice is 1.23 mm/year, with higher rates observed in more recent years.
NATURAL HAZARDS AND EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Aerospace
Tadea Veng, Ole B. Andersen
Summary: This study extends the analysis of global mean sea level changes by including independent data from ESA missions, providing a more comprehensive and accurate understanding compared to previous studies using TPJ data. The results show similar patterns of sea level acceleration across the global ocean between ESA and TPJ datasets.
ADVANCES IN SPACE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
M. Yousefi, J. Wan, L. Pan, N. Gomez, K. Latychev, J. X. Mitrovica, D. Pollard, R. M. DeConto
Summary: Seismic tomography models reveal highly variable Earth structure beneath Antarctica, particularly anomalously low shallow mantle viscosities below West Antarctica. A high-resolution 3-D viscoelastic structure model is built based on seismic velocity heterogeneity inferences, and is combined with a global-scale sea-level model to investigate the influence of solid Earth deformation in Antarctica on future global mean sea-level rise.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Aerospace
Carsten A. Ludwigsen, Ole B. Andersen
Summary: The sea level in the Arctic remains uncertain, with disagreements between GRACE and satellite altimetry data. A study comparing different datasets found that the best agreement was reached using a combination of in-situ hydrographic data and altimetry products. However, a large residual signal was found in the East Siberian Sea, indicating uncertainties in satellite observations. Overall, caution is recommended when using satellite observations in the Arctic region to study sea level trends.
ADVANCES IN SPACE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Benjamin H. Strauss, Scott A. Kulp, D. J. Rasmussen, Anders Levermann
Summary: Human-caused carbon dioxide emissions will have long-lasting impacts on global temperatures and sea levels. Many major cities, particularly in Asia, will face unprecedented exposure levels from sea level rise. Countries like China, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam have large populations residing in areas vulnerable to high tide lines, while small island nations are at risk of near-total loss. Meeting the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement could significantly reduce the exposure and protect coastal megacities from extensive defense requirements.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Blake Dyer, Jacqueline Austermann, William J. D'Andrea, Roger C. Creel, Michael R. Sandstrom, Miranda Cashman, Alessio Rovere, Maureen E. Raymo
Summary: Research suggests that global mean sea level (GMSL) during the last interglacial (LIG) period may have been higher than at present, with a 95% probability of peaking at least 1.2 meters higher than today and a very low likelihood (5% probability) of exceeding 5.3 meters. Uncertainties in the glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) process and input models reduce precision and accuracy in estimating past GMSL, but findings indicate the potential for lower GMSL during the LIG period than previously assumed.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Anthropology
Marisa Borreggine, Evelyn Powell, Tamara Pico, Jerry X. Mitrovica, Richard Meadow, Christian Tryon
Summary: Accurate reconstruction of past sea levels is crucial for understanding ancient human migration routes. The bathtub model used in previous studies for estimating ancient environments has uncertainties, especially prior to the last glacial maximum. Regional sea level variations due to glacial isostatic adjustment play a significant role in sea level changes.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Andrew Hollyday, Jacqueline Austermann, Andrew Lloyd, Mark Hoggard, Fred Richards, Alessio Rovere
Summary: Paleoshorelines are influenced by solid Earth deformation, including glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) and mantle dynamic topography (DT), making them useful for measuring ancient sea levels and ice volumes. In Argentina, the present-day elevations of three early Pliocene paleoshorelines reflect a unique topographic deformation signature. Using a mantle convection model, scientists were able to identify the most likely convection parameters and DT change by comparing predictions of DT change to GIA-corrected shoreline elevations. The estimated global mean sea level in the early Pliocene Epoch confirms that sea level was significantly higher than present and can be used to calibrate ice sheet models.
GEOCHEMISTRY GEOPHYSICS GEOSYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Matt A. King, Christopher S. Watson, Duanne White
Summary: This study investigates the vertical motion of bedrock in the Totten-Denman glacier region of East Antarctica using new GPS timeseries. The analysis suggests that surface mass balance loading is the dominant factor contributing to random-walk-like noise in GPS data. After correcting for various factors, subsidence is observed in all sites except for the Totten Glacier region.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
F. S. McCormack, R. C. Warner, H. Seroussi, C. F. Dow, J. L. Roberts, A. Treverrow
Summary: In this study, we compare the deformation regimes of Thwaites Glacier, West Antarctica, using the Glen and Empirical Scalar Tertiary Anisotropy Regime (ESTAR) flow relations. We find that ESTAR provides a more accurate description of deformation under long-term, nearly steady flows compared to the Glen flow relation. ESTAR predicts more vertical shear deformation, leading to faster flow over most of the Thwaites catchment, especially in slow-moving regions where the Glen relation predicts unrealistic sliding. ESTAR also matches better with observed surface speeds on the floating Thwaites Glacier Tongue. Our results highlight the importance of improved descriptions of deformation in accurately modeling ice flow.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-EARTH SURFACE
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Felicity S. McCormack, Jason L. Roberts, Christine F. Dow, Tobias Stal, Jacqueline A. Halpin, Anya M. Reading, Martin J. Siegert
Summary: Antarctic geothermal heat flow has an impact on subglacial meltwater production, but current models underestimate the meltwater production in the region.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Lisa Craw, Felicity S. McCormack, Sue Cook, Jason Roberts, Adam Treverrow
Summary: Understanding the behavior of ice shelves, particularly the influence of marine ice, is crucial for predicting the contribution of ice sheets to sea level rise. This study found that the thermal distribution of ice shelves has a greater effect on ice mass flux and thinning than the mechanical properties of marine ice.
JOURNAL OF GLACIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Mohammad-Hadi Rezvani, Christopher S. S. Watson, Matt A. A. King
Summary: The study employed a space-time Kalman approach to investigate vertical land motion and altimeter systematic errors around the Australian coast, revealing new findings such as coastal subsidence, time variability in altimeter errors, and acceleration of ASL rates. The study's approach improves the ability to explore nonlinear localized signals and is suitable for other regional- and global-scale studies.
JOURNAL OF GEODESY
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Irena Vankova, J. Paul Winberry, Sue Cook, Keith W. Nicholls, Chad A. Greene, Benjamin K. Galton-Fenzi
Summary: We deployed autonomous phase-sensitive radars on Totten Glacier's ice shelf to monitor ice-ocean interactions and made seismic observations to constrain gravity-derived bathymetry models. Our study finds an asymmetry in basal melting and reveals its correlation with water column thickness asymmetry. The importance of bathymetry near grounding lines for accurate ice-shelf melt modeling and the need for sustained multi-year monitoring, especially in ice-shelf cavities with varying dominant melt rate drivers, are highlighted.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
David E. Gwyther, Christine F. Dow, Stefan Jendersie, Noel Gourmelen, Benjamin K. Galton-Fenzi
Summary: Subglacial freshwater discharge from beneath Antarctic glaciers has a significant impact on ice shelf basal melting. The difficulty in directly observing this process highlights the importance of modeling. By injecting subglacial discharge into an ocean model, we show that it increases melting in the outflow region, driven by the formation of a buoyant plume rather than heat addition, and has far-reaching effects. Subglacial hydrology-induced basal melting is crucial for ice shelf stability but often overlooked in ice-ocean models.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Sarah S. Thompson, Bernd Kulessa, Adrian Luckman, Jacqueline A. Halpin, Jamin S. Greenbaum, Tyler Pelle, Feras Habbal, Jingxue Guo, Lenneke M. Jong, Jason L. Roberts, Bo Sun, Donald D. Blankenship
Summary: The recent discovery of Antarctica's deepest subglacial trough beneath the Denman Glacier and the high rates of basal melt at the grounding line have raised concerns about the glacier's vulnerability to retreat. This study expands previous observations of the Denman Glacier's dynamic changes to the wider Shackleton system, revealing significant rift propagation and structural changes in the floating margins between the ice shelf and outlet glaciers. Moreover, an increase in ice flow speed on the floating part of the Scott Glacier, along with small-scale calving and rift propagation, has been observed. However, no seasonal variation or significant change in ice flow speed has been observed in the rest of the Shackleton system. The research highlights the need for a better understanding of the glaciological, oceanographic, and geological conditions in the Shackleton system to improve predictions and identifies priorities for future research in these remote coastal regions.
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Madelaine Rosevear, Benjamin Galton-Fenzi, Craig Stevens
Summary: Ocean-driven melting of Antarctic ice shelves leads to loss of grounded ice from the Antarctic continent. However, the processes governing ice shelf melting are not well understood, contributing to uncertainty in projecting sea level rise. This study presents direct measurements of basal melting from the Amery Ice Shelf using novel methods. The results show seasonal variation in melt rate and indicate that current speed-dependent parameterisations tend to overestimate melting.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Lenneke M. Jong, Christopher T. Plummer, Jason L. Roberts, Andrew D. Moy, Mark A. J. Curran, Tessa R. Vance, Joel B. Pedro, Chelsea A. Long, Meredith Nation, Paul A. Mayewski, Tas D. van Ommen
Summary: Ice core records from Law Dome in East Antarctica provide high-resolution data for studying climate in Antarctica, Australia, and the Southern and Indo-Pacific oceans. This dataset, which includes trace chemistry, stable water isotopes, and snow accumulation records, has been extensively used in climate research and data syntheses in the Southern Hemisphere. The data have been updated and extended, and are available for download.
EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE DATA
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Chen Zhao, Rupert Gladstone, Benjamin Keith Galton-Fenzi, David Gwyther, Tore Hattermann
Summary: Changes in ocean-driven basal melting have a significant impact on ice shelves stability, ice sheet mass loss, ocean circulation, and global sea level rise. Coupled ice sheet-ocean models are crucial for understanding future ice sheet evolution and the processes governing ice sheet responses to basal melting. However, the implementation of coupled models presents new challenges and the impacts of existing solutions have not been thoroughly investigated.
GEOSCIENTIFIC MODEL DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Yu Wang, Chen Zhao, Rupert Gladstone, Ben Galton-Fenzi, Roland Warner
Summary: This study evaluates and analyzes the thermal structure and spatial pattern of the Amery Ice Shelf (AIS) in East Antarctica using borehole observations and numerical simulations. The study reveals the presence of a near-isothermal basal layer and large temperature gradients in the marine ice area. It also highlights the influence of temperature distribution on ice shelf dynamics and suggests the existence of similar thermal structures in other Antarctic ice shelves. The limitations in the simulations and the need for improved models are identified.
Article
Geography, Physical
Ole Richter, David E. Gwyther, Matt A. King, Benjamin K. Galton-Fenzi
Summary: This study quantifies the impact of tides on Antarctic ice shelf melting and continental shelf seas using an ocean model. It finds that activating tides increases total basal mass loss and decreases continental shelf temperatures. Tidal currents strongly influence the turbulent exchange of heat and salt, with both dynamical and thermodynamic effects driving the melting process. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating tides into glacier system and shelf sea modeling.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tessa R. Vance, Anthony S. Kiem, Lenneke M. Jong, Jason L. Roberts, Christopher T. Plummer, Andrew D. Moy, Mark A. J. Curran, Tas D. van Ommen
Summary: A 2000-year reconstruction of the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation based on Antarctic ice cores reveals that negative phases are shorter and less frequent than previously believed. This suggests that the characterization of climate risk in the Pacific Basin is inaccurate, and a re-evaluation is needed for all affected areas.
COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Ole Richter, David E. Gwyther, Benjamin K. Galton-Fenzi, Kaitlin A. Naughten
Summary: The study applied the ROMS model to estimate ice shelf basal melting in the Antarctic region, showing significant improvements compared to previous models in capturing large-scale warm-cold flow field changes and regional ice-ocean interaction characteristics, but still exhibiting some errors and deficiencies that require further refinement.
GEOSCIENTIFIC MODEL DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
