Intense atmospheric rivers can weaken ice shelf stability at the Antarctic Peninsula
Wille JD, Favier V, Jourdain NC, Kittel C, Turton J, Agosta C, Gorodetskaya I, Picard G, Codron F, Leroy-Dos Santos C, Amory C, Fettweis X, Blanchet J, Jomelli V, Berchet A (2022)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2022
Journal
Book Volume: 3
Journal Issue: 1
DOI: 10.1038/s43247-022-00422-9
Abstract
The disintegration of the ice shelves along the Antarctic Peninsula have spurred much discussion on the various processes leading to their eventual dramatic collapse, but without a consensus on an atmospheric forcing that could connect these processes. Here, using an atmospheric river detection algorithm along with a regional climate model and satellite observations, we show that the most intense atmospheric rivers induce extremes in temperature, surface melt, sea-ice disintegration, or large swells that destabilize the ice shelves with 40% probability. This was observed during the collapses of the Larsen A and B ice shelves during the summers of 1995 and 2002 respectively. Overall, 60% of calving events from 2000-2020 were triggered by atmospheric rivers. The loss of the buttressing effect from these ice shelves leads to further continental ice loss and subsequent sea-level rise. Under future warming projections, the Larsen C ice shelf will be at-risk from the same processes.
Authors with CRIS profile
Involved external institutions
University of Grenoble Alpes (UGA) / Université de Grenoble
France (FR)
École Polytechnique - Université Paris-Saclay
France (FR)
University of Aveiro / Universidade de Aveiro
Portugal (PT)
University of Paris 4 - Paris-Sorbonne / Université paris IV Paris-Sorbonne
France (FR)
University of Liège (ULg) / Université de Liège
Belgium (BE)
Aix-Marseille University / Aix-Marseille Université
France (FR)
France (FR)
École Polytechnique - Université Paris-Saclay
France (FR)
University of Aveiro / Universidade de Aveiro
Portugal (PT)
University of Paris 4 - Paris-Sorbonne / Université paris IV Paris-Sorbonne
France (FR)
University of Liège (ULg) / Université de Liège
Belgium (BE)
Aix-Marseille University / Aix-Marseille Université
France (FR)
How to cite
APA:
Wille, J.D., Favier, V., Jourdain, N.C., Kittel, C., Turton, J., Agosta, C.,... Berchet, A. (2022). Intense atmospheric rivers can weaken ice shelf stability at the Antarctic Peninsula. Communications Earth & Environment, 3(1). https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s43247-022-00422-9
MLA:
Wille, Jonathan D., et al. "Intense atmospheric rivers can weaken ice shelf stability at the Antarctic Peninsula." Communications Earth & Environment 3.1 (2022).
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