ICESat profiles of tabular iceberg margins and iceberg breakup at low latitudes

Scambos, Ted; Sergienko, O. V.; Sargent, A.; MacAyeal, Douglas R.; Fastook, J. L.

doi:10.1029/2005gl023802

Cited by 61 publications

(118 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…A crude estimate of the large iceberg area is also available from the National Ice Center but it is not precise enough to allow analysis of the area lost by fragmentation. A more precise area analysis can be conducted by analysing satellite images such as those for the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) onboard the Aqua and Terra satellites (Scambos et al, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Melting and fragmentation laws from the evolution of two large Southern Ocean icebergs estimated from satellite data

Bouhier

Tournadre

Rémy³

et al. 2018

The Cryosphere

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Abstract. The evolution of the thickness and area of two large Southern Ocean icebergs that have drifted in open water for more than a year is estimated through the combined analysis of altimeter data and visible satellite images. The observed thickness evolution is compared with iceberg melting predictions from two commonly used melting formulations, allowing us to test their validity for large icebergs. The first formulation, based on a fluid dynamics approach, tends to underestimate basal melt rates, while the second formulation, which considers the thermodynamic budget, appears more consistent with observations. Fragmentation is more important than melting for the decay of large icebergs. Despite its importance, fragmentation remains poorly documented. The correlation between the observed volume loss of our two icebergs and environmental parameters highlights factors most likely to promote fragmentation. Using this information, a bulk model of fragmentation is established that depends on ocean temperature and iceberg velocity. The model is effective at reproducing observed volume variations. The size distribution of the calved pieces is estimated using both altimeter data and visible images and is found to be consistent with previous results and typical of brittle fragmentation processes. These results are valuable in accounting for the freshwater flux constrained by large icebergs in models.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Melting and fragmentation laws from the evolution of two large Southern Ocean icebergs estimated from satellite data

Bouhier

Tournadre

Rémy³

et al. 2018

The Cryosphere

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…A crude estimate of the large iceberg area is also available from the National Ice Center but it is not precise enough to analyse the area loss by fragmentation. A more precise area analysis can be conducted by analysing 5 satellite images such as the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer (MODIS) ones on the Aqua and Terra satellites (Scambos et al, 2005).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Melting and fragmentation laws from the evolution of two large southern ocean icebergs

Bouhier

Tournadre

Rémy

et al. 2017

Preprint

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Abstract. The evolution of the thickness and area of two large southern ocean icebergs, having drifted in open water for more than a year, is estimated through the combined analysis of altimeter data and visible satellite images. Most of the iceberg modelling studies uses two main melting formulations that are compared with the observed thickness evolution of our two icebergs, to test their validity in case of large icebergs. The first formulation, based on a fluid dynamics approach, would tend to underestimate basal melt rates, so that using the second one (using a thermodynamic budget consideration) may be 5 more relevant. Fragmentation is, before melting, the major decay process of large icebergs, yet it is a complex and still poorly documented mechanism. A correlation analysis between the observed volume loss of our two icebergs and environmental parameters highlights those most likely to promote fragmentation. Consequently, a bulk model of fragmentation depending on ocean temperature and iceberg velocity is established and is shown to be able to reproduce well the observed volume variations.Finally, the size distribution of the calved pieces is estimated using both altimeter data and visible images and is found to be 10 consistent with previous studies as typical of brittle fragmentation processes. These results are valuable to account for a more realistic representation of the freshwater flux constrained by large icebergs in models.

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“…Calving events occur when such stresses surpass the yield strength of the 30 terminus. This process has also been observed on icebergs in temperate waters (Scambos et al, 2005;Wagner et al, 2014). It is likely that profiles C and D represent sizable ice feet which exert bending stresses that enhance the calving flux in this region.…”

mentioning

confidence: 84%

Large spatial variations in the frontal mass budget of a Greenland tidewater glacier

Wagner

Straneo

Richards

et al. 2018

Preprint

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Abstract. We investigate the frontal mass budget of a medium-sized tidewater glacier in western Greenland. This is done by comparing the seasonal retreat of the glacier to ice advection and ablation along the front. Frontal ablation is partitioned into calving and submarine melting, both of which are estimated from in situ observations. We observe large spatial variability in all mass budget terms along the glacier front. In particular, we find that the ablation of the glacier front is characterized by two main regimes: melting dominated versus calving dominated. While melting-dominated segments appear to be associated 5 with subglacial discharge plumes, calving-dominated regions occur outside such plumes. The melting-dominated segments are rather localized, and the majority of ablation is estimated to occur in the form of calving. However, we stress the large uncertainty in melt rate estimates and consider the possibility that current parameterizations substantially underestimate melting.Finally, we argue that localized melt incisions into the glacier front can be significant drivers of calving. Our results suggest a complex interplay of melting and calving marked by high spatial variability along the glacier front. Understanding the impact 10 of such local variability on larger scale ice dynamics may help guide future mass balance projections for tidewater glaciers.

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ICESat profiles of tabular iceberg margins and iceberg breakup at low latitudes

Cited by 61 publications

References 11 publications

Melting and fragmentation laws from the evolution of two large Southern Ocean icebergs estimated from satellite data

Melting and fragmentation laws from the evolution of two large Southern Ocean icebergs estimated from satellite data

Melting and fragmentation laws from the evolution of two large southern ocean icebergs

Large spatial variations in the frontal mass budget of a Greenland tidewater glacier

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