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Surface mass balance on Fimbul ice shelf, East Antarctica: Comparison of field measurements and large‐scale studies
Author(s) -
Sinisalo Anna,
Anschütz Helgard,
Aasen Anne Tårånd,
Langley Kirsty,
Deschwanden Angela,
Kohler Jack,
Matsuoka Kenichi,
Hamran Svein Erik,
Øyan MatsJørgen,
Schlosser Elisabeth,
Hagen Jon Ove,
Nøst Ole Anders,
Isaksson Elisabeth
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: atmospheres
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2169-8996
pISSN - 2169-897X
DOI - 10.1002/jgrd.50875
Subject(s) - firn , ice shelf , glacier mass balance , ice sheet , climatology , scale (ratio) , continental shelf , geology , environmental science , iceberg , antarctic ice sheet , sea ice , oceanography , cryosphere , snow , glacier , geography , geomorphology , cartography
Many challenges remain for estimating the Antarctic ice sheet surface mass balance (SMB), which represents a major uncertainty in predictions of future sea‐level rise. Validating continental scale studies is hampered by the sparse distribution of in situ data. Here we present a 26 year mean SMB of the Fimbul ice shelf in East Antarctica between 1983–2009, and recent interannual variability since 2010. We compare these data to the results of large‐scale SMB studies for similar time periods, obtained from regional atmospheric modeling and remote sensing. Our in situ data include ground penetrating radar, firn cores, and mass balance stakes and provide information on both temporal and spatial scales. The 26 year mean SMB on the Fimbul ice shelf varies between 170 and 620 kg m −2 a −1 giving a regional average value of 310 ± 70 kg m −2 a −1 . Our measurements indicate higher long‐term accumulation over large parts of the ice shelf compared to the large‐scale studies. We also show that the variability of the mean annual SMB, which can be up to 90%, can be a dominant factor in short‐term estimates. The results emphasize the importance of using a combination of ground‐based validation data, regional climate models, and remote sensing over a relevant time period in order to achieve a reliable SMB for Antarctica.