Capabilities and limitations of numerical ice sheet models: a discussion for Earth-scientists and modelers |
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| Authors: | Nina Kirchner Kolumban Hutter Martin Jakobsson Richard Gyllencreutz |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Physical Geography and Quaternary Geology, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden;2. c/o Laboratory of Hydraulics, Hydrology and Glaciology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland;3. Department of Geological Sciences, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden;1. Department of Earth Sciences, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada;2. Geological Survey of Canada, 601 Booth Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0E8, Canada;3. PALEOTEC Services, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada;1. Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Memorial University, Elizabeth Ave, NL A1C 5S7, Canada;2. Department of Mathematics, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Dr, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada;1. Departments of Arctic Geology and Arctic Geophysics, University Centre in Svalbard, 9170 Longyearbyen, Norway;2. Department of Physical Geography and Quaternary Geology, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden;3. Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden;4. Department of Geography and Sustainable Development, University of St Andrews, KY169AL, St Andrews, Scotland, UK;5. School of Geography, Queen Mary University of London, E14NS, London, UK;6. Department of Geography, College of Science, Swansea University, SA2 8PP, UK |
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| Abstract: | The simulation of dynamically coupled ice sheet, ice stream, and ice shelf-systems poses a challenge to most numerical ice sheet models. Here we review present ice sheet model limitations targeting a broader audience within Earth Sciences, also those with no specific background in numerical modeling, in order to facilitate cross-disciplinary communication between especially paleoglaciologists, marine and terrestrial geologists, and numerical modelers. The ‘zero order’ (Shallow Ice Approximation, SIA)-, ‘higher order’-, and ‘full Stokes’ ice sheet models are described conceptually and complemented by an outline of their derivations. We demonstrate that higher order models are required to simulate coupled ice sheet-ice shelf and ice sheet-ice stream systems, in particular if the results are aimed to complement spatial ice flow reconstructions based on higher resolution geological and geophysical data. The zero order SIA model limitations in capturing ice stream behavior are here illustrated by conceptual simulations of a glaciation on Svalbard. The limitations are obvious from the equations comprising a zero order model. However, under certain circumstances, simulation results may falsely give the impression that ice streams indeed are simulated with a zero order SIA model. |
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