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Ice dynamics and stability analysis of the ice shelf-glacial system on the east Antarctic Peninsula over the past half century: multi-sensor observations and numerical modeling

Wang, Shujie
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1530798725691268

Abstract Details

2018, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Arts and Sciences: Geography.
The flow dynamics and mass balance of the Antarctic Ice Sheet are intricately linked with the global climate change and sea level rise. The dynamics of the ice shelf – glacial systems are particularly important for dominating the mass balance state of the Antarctic Ice Sheet. The flow velocity fields of outlet glaciers and ice streams dictate the ice discharge rate from the interior ice sheet into the ocean system. One of the vital controls that affect the flow dynamics of the outlet glaciers is the stability of the peripheral ice shelves. It is essential to quantitatively analyze the interconnections between ice shelves and outlet glaciers and the destabilization process of ice shelves in the context of climate warming. This research aims to examine the evolving dynamics and the instability development of the Larsen Ice Shelf – glacial system in the east Antarctic Peninsula, which is a dramatically changing area under the influence of rapid regional warming in recent decades. Previous studies regarding the flow dynamics of the Larsen Ice Shelf – glacial system are limited to some specific sites over a few time periods. This research integrates the multi-sensor remote sensing data acquired by various optical and radar satellites and airborne/satellite altimetry missions to study the spatiotemporal variations in ice velocity, ice front and surface elevation. A half-century ice velocity record has been reconstructed over the Larsen Ice Shelf by processing more than 400 remote sensing images acquired during 1963–2017. Besides, this research implements a physically based ice flow model to investigate the changes in stress conditions prior to the ice-shelf collapse. This integrated perspective of observations and numerical modeling enables to explore the physical processes that lead to the disintegration of an ice shelf. A four-stage development model (unstable condition initiation stage, enhanced weakening stage, destructing stage and catastrophic disintegration stage) is proposed to elucidate the destabilization process of the northern Larsen Ice Shelf.
Hongxing Liu, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Richard Beck, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Kenneth Hinkel, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Tomasz Stepinski, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Dylan Ward, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
126 p.
Geography
Ice shelf; stability; numerical modeling; remote sensing

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Wang, S. (2018). Ice dynamics and stability analysis of the ice shelf-glacial system on the east Antarctic Peninsula over the past half century: multi-sensor observations and numerical modeling [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1530798725691268

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Wang, Shujie. Ice dynamics and stability analysis of the ice shelf-glacial system on the east Antarctic Peninsula over the past half century: multi-sensor observations and numerical modeling. 2018. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1530798725691268.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Wang, Shujie. "Ice dynamics and stability analysis of the ice shelf-glacial system on the east Antarctic Peninsula over the past half century: multi-sensor observations and numerical modeling." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1530798725691268

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1530798725691268
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This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.