Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-1296
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-1296
13 Dec 2022
 | 13 Dec 2022

Basal melt rates and ocean circulation under the Ryder Glacier ice tongue and their response to climate warming: a high resolution modelling study

Jonathan Wiskandt, Inga Monika Koszalka, and Johan Nilsson

Abstract. The oceanic forcing of basal melt under floating ice shelves in Greenland and Antarctica is one of the major sources of uncertainty in climate ice sheet modelling. We use a high resolution, non-hydrostatic configuration of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology general circulation model (MITgcm) to investigate basal melt rates and melt driven circulation in the Sherard Osborn Fjord under the floating tongue of Ryder Glacier, northwestern Greenland. The control model configuration, based on the first ever observational survey by Ryder 2019 Expedition, yielded melt rates consistent with independent satellite estimates. A protocol of model sensitivity experiments quantified the response to oceanic thermal forcing due to a warming Atlantic Water, and to the buoyancy input from the subglacial discharge of surface fresh water. We found that the average basal melt rates show a nonlinear response to oceanic forcing in the lower range of ocean temperatures, while the response becomes indistinguishable from linear for higher ocean temperatures, which unifies the results from previous modelling studies of other marine terminating glaciers. The melt rate response to subglacial discharge is sublinear, consistent with other studies. The melt rates and circulation below the ice tongue exhibit a spatial pattern that is determined by the ambient density stratification.

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

13 Jul 2023
Basal melt rates and ocean circulation under the Ryder Glacier ice tongue and their response to climate warming: a high-resolution modelling study
Jonathan Wiskandt, Inga Monika Koszalka, and Johan Nilsson
The Cryosphere, 17, 2755–2777, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-2755-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-2755-2023, 2023
Short summary

Jonathan Wiskandt et al.

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-1296', William Scott, 15 Jan 2023
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Jonathan Wiskandt, 28 Apr 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-1296', Margaret Lindeman, 12 Feb 2023
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Jonathan Wiskandt, 28 Apr 2023

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-1296', William Scott, 15 Jan 2023
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Jonathan Wiskandt, 28 Apr 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-1296', Margaret Lindeman, 12 Feb 2023
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Jonathan Wiskandt, 28 Apr 2023

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (04 May 2023) by Jan De Rydt
AR by Jonathan Wiskandt on behalf of the Authors (12 May 2023)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (21 May 2023) by Jan De Rydt
AR by Jonathan Wiskandt on behalf of the Authors (26 May 2023)

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

13 Jul 2023
Basal melt rates and ocean circulation under the Ryder Glacier ice tongue and their response to climate warming: a high-resolution modelling study
Jonathan Wiskandt, Inga Monika Koszalka, and Johan Nilsson
The Cryosphere, 17, 2755–2777, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-2755-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-2755-2023, 2023
Short summary

Jonathan Wiskandt et al.

Jonathan Wiskandt et al.

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Short summary
Ice ocean interactions under floating ice tongues in Greenland and Antarctica is one of the major challenges in climate modelling and a source of uncertainty in future sea level projections. We use a high resolution ocean model to investigate basal melting and melt driven circulation under the floating tongue of Ryder Glacier, northwestern Greenland. We study the response to oceanic and atmospheric warming. Our results are universal and relevant for the development of climate models.