| Volumes and Issues Contents of Issue 2 |
www.the-cryosphere-discuss.net/3/477/2009/
doi:10.5194/tcd-3-477-2009
© Author(s) 2009. This work is distributed
under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Diagnostic and prognostic simulations with a full Stokes model accounting for superimposed ice of Midtre Lovénbreen, Svalbard
1CSC – IT Center for Science Ltd., Espoo, Finland
2Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, Rovaniemi, Finland
3Thule Institute, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
4College of Global Change and Earth System Science, Beijing Normal University, China
Abstract. We present steady state (diagnostic) and transient (prognostic) simulations of Midtre Lovénbreen, Svalbard performed with the thermo-mechanically coupled full-Stokes code Elmer. This glacier has an extensive data set of geophysical measurements available spanning several decades, that allow for constraints on model descriptions. Consistent with this data set, we included a simple model accounting for the formation of superimposed ice. Diagnostic results indicated that a dynamic adaptation of the free surface is necessary, to prevent non-physically high velocities in a region of under determined bedrock depths. Prognostic runs for 53 years, using a constant accumulation/ablation pattern starting from the steady state solution obtained from the configuration of the 1977 DEM show that: 1 the unrealistic velocities in the under determined parts of the DEM quickly damp out; 2 the free surface evolution matches well measured elevation changes; 3 the retreat of the glacier under this scenario continues with the glacier tongue in a projection to 2030 being situated ≈500 m behind the position in 1977.
Discussion Paper (PDF, 2172 KB) Interactive Discussion (Closed, 4 Comments) Final Revised Paper (TC)
Citation: Zwinger, T. and Moore, J. C.: Diagnostic and prognostic simulations with a full Stokes model accounting for superimposed ice of Midtre Lovénbreen, Svalbard, The Cryosphere Discuss., 3, 477-511, doi:10.5194/tcd-3-477-2009, 2009. Bibtex EndNote Reference Manager XML
