Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2358
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2358
23 Sep 2024
 | 23 Sep 2024
Status: this preprint is open for discussion.

Brief Communication: Sensitivity of Antarctic ice-shelf melting to ocean warming across basal melt models

Erwin Lambert and Clara Burgard

Abstract. The uncertain sensitivity of Antarctic ice-shelf basal melt to ocean warming strongly contributes to uncertainties in sea-level projections. Here, we explore the response of five dedicated basal melt models to an idealised sub-thermocline 1 °C warming and find a large intermodel spread with total melt increases between 67 % and 240 %. For deep regions of presentlyfast-melting ice shelves, this spread can reach two orders of magnitude. We conclude that a consistent calibration on present-conditions does not guarantee consistent melt sensitivities and that diversity in basal melt forcing is presently unavoidable to prevent underestimating uncertainties in future projections.

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Erwin Lambert and Clara Burgard

Status: open (until 09 Nov 2024)

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Erwin Lambert and Clara Burgard
Erwin Lambert and Clara Burgard

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Short summary
The effect of ocean warming on Antarctic ice sheet melting is a major source of uncertainty in estimates of future sea-level rise. We compare five melt models to show that ocean warming strongly increases melting. Despite their calibration on present-day melting, the models disagree on the amount of melt increase. In some important regions, the difference reaches a factor 100. We conclude that using various melt models is important to accurately estimate uncertainties in future sea-level rise.