The effects of ocean dynamics on the melting of ice shelves: a fine-scale numerical simulation approach
| When |
Aug 29, 2023
from 11:00 to 12:00 |
|---|---|
| Where | Amphi B |
| Attendees |
Catherine Vreugdenhil |
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Antarctic ice shelf melt rates are accelerating with important consequences for sea level rise. Ice shelf melting is modulated by turbulence in the ocean boundary layer, which acts to mix warmer and saltier water toward the ice base. Here, we consider numerical simulations to expand our knowledge of fine-scale ice-ocean interactions. The first set of simulations is large-eddy simulations of a near-horizontal ice face, where we find that strong tidal forcing enhances the ice shelf melt rate. The second set of simulations is high-resolution phase change simulations of a vertical ice face melting into the stratified ocean. The ocean dynamics show a complicated interplay between a turbulent buoyant meltwater plume and double-diffusive layers. The application of these results to the real ocean system is also discussed, with implications for ice shelf melt rates.