Numerical model studies of Antarctic ice-sheet–ice-shelf–ocean systems and ice caps

• Published in: Annals of glaciology Vol. 41; pp. 111 - 120
• Main Authors: Lange, M.A., Blindow, N., Breuer, B., Grosfeld, K., Kleiner, T., Mohrholz, C.-O., Nicolaus, M., Oelke, C., Sandhäger, H., Thoma, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 2005
• ISSN: 0260-3055; 1727-5644; 1727-5644
• DOI: 10.3189/172756405781813186

The cryosphere is an essential component of the global climate system, equally affecting climate processes significantly and being subject, and particularly sensitive, to changes in climate conditions. Numerical models are an important tool for assessing climate-change impacts on the Antarctic ice–sheet–ice–shelf–ocean system. They not only complement field and satellite remotesensing investigations but are often the only feasible alternative for addressing some of the important parameters and processes. Over the last few years, our group has made significant progress in developing and applying innovative numerical methods. In this paper, we provide a brief overview of some of the methods employed and the major results obtained for a number of case studies in the Atlantic sector of Antarctica.