Abstract
To date and to our knowledge, no climate models have included explicit static sub-ice-shelf cavities and associated calculation of sub-ice-shelf heat and moisture fluxes as part of coupled simulations. Inclusion of ice shelf cavities and associated processes is (1) a critical first step towards full coupling of the marine-based Antarctic Ice Sheet and (2) a unique scientific capability in its own right.
To address this fundamental gap in coupled climate modeling, we have now implemented a pioneering representation of static ice shelf cavities in ACME. Ice shelves and associated fluxes are introduced via code modifications and manipulation of the input domain and inter-component mapping, such that:
Ocean upper pressures capture ocean surface displacement due to overlying ice shelves (see associated poster)
atmosphere->ocean fluxes are ignored (for G-compset) or diverted to the land model (for B-compset) over ice shelves
Sea ice is prohibited from entering ice shelf cavities
Frazil ice is prohibited from forming within ice shelf cavities
Runoff is routed to the ice shelf calving front instead of the ice sheet grounding line
The capability has been tested in a realistic configuration via both G-compset and B-compset simulations, with preliminary analysis suggesting the implementation of static ice shelf cavities is correct. G-compset and B-compset simulations are ongoing to address fundamental questions related to numerical stability, equilibration/variability time scales, resolution dependence, and, ultimately validation against extant observational datasets in preparation for application to ice-shelf-cavity-related climate science. In addition to opening a door to an exciting new realm of coupled climate science, this work will provide the basis for further development associated with a full coupling of the marine-based Antarctic Ice Sheet within the ACME climate model.
This poster focuses on the coupling, mapping files, and interaction between components. The submission Ocean Cavities Below Ice Shelves is on the numerical methods required to support sub-ice shelf cavities within the ocean model.