Open AccessModeling the evolution of Antarctic ice sheet over the last 420,000 years: Implications for altitude changes in the Vostok region
Author(s) -
Ritz Catherine,
Rommelaere Vincent,
Dumas Christophe
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: atmospheres
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/2001jd900232
Subject(s) - ice stream , geology , ice sheet , antarctic ice sheet , ice sheet model , ice divide , ice shelf , sea ice , cryosphere , interglacial , antarctic sea ice , ice core , sea level , glacial period , arctic ice pack , oceanography , climatology , geomorphology
A new thermomechanical three‐dimensional model designed to simulate the evolution of the Antarctic ice sheet over long time periods is presented. This model incorporates the various types of ice flow found in Antarctica: relatively slow inland ice flow that is essentially due to ice deformation, fast ice flow in the regions with ice streams, and ice shelf flow. By coupling these three types of flow, it is possible to predict grounding line migration. Simulations covering four glacial‐interglacial cycles have been conducted by forcing this model with a temperature record from Vostok and a sea level record from marine cores. Our findings indicate that grounding line migration induced by sea level changes is the primary factor governing the evolution of the Antarctic ice volume. On the other hand, the altitude of the ice sheet surface at Vostok is driven by accumulation rate variations. The amplitude of the altitude change does not exceed 150 m and is very similar for all the sites located on the Antarctic Plateau.