Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/tcd-5-169-2011
https://doi.org/10.5194/tcd-5-169-2011
18 Jan 2011
 | 18 Jan 2011
Status: this preprint was under review for the journal TC but the revision was not accepted.

Petermann Glacier, North Greenland: massive calving in 2010 and the past half century

O. M. Johannessen, M. Babiker, and M. W. Miles

Abstract. Greenland's marine-terminating glaciers drain large amounts of solid ice through calving of icebergs, as well as melting of floating glacial ice. Petermann Glacier, North Greenland, has the Northern Hemisphere's long floating ice shelf. A massive (~270 km2) calving event was observed from satellite sensors in August 2010. In order to understand this in perspective, here we perform a comprehensive retrospective data analysis of Petermann Glacier calving-front variability spanning half a century. Here we establish that there have been at least four massive (100+ km2) calving events over the past 50 years: (1) 1959–1961 (~153 km2), (2) 1991 (~168 km2), (3) 2001 (~71 km2) and (4) 2010 (~270 km2), as well as ~31 km2 calved in 2008. The terminus position in 2010 has retreated ~15 km beyond the envelope of previous observations. Whether the massive calving in 2010 represents natural episodic variability or a response to global and/or ocean warming in the fjord remains speculative, although this event supports the contention that the ice shelf recently has become vulnerable due to extensive fracturing and channelized basal melting.

O. M. Johannessen, M. Babiker, and M. W. Miles
 
Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
 
Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
O. M. Johannessen, M. Babiker, and M. W. Miles
O. M. Johannessen, M. Babiker, and M. W. Miles

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