Modeling Antarctic ice shelf basal melt patterns using the one-Layer Antarctic model for Dynamical Downscaling of Ice–ocean Exchanges (LADDIE)

Abstract

Abstract. A major source of uncertainty in future sea-level projections is the ocean-driven basal melt of Antarctic ice shelves. Whereas ice sheet models require a kilometer-scale resolution to realistically resolve ice shelf stability and grounding line migration, global or regional 3D ocean models are computationally too expensive to produce basal melt forcing fields at this resolution. To bridge this resolution gap, we introduce the 2D numerical model LADDIE (one-Layer Antarctic model for Dynamical Downscaling of Ice–ocean Exchanges) which allows for the computationally efficient modeling of basal melt rates. The model is flexible, and can be forced with output from coarse 3D ocean models or with vertical profiles of offshore temperature and salinity. In this study, we describe the model equations and numerics. To illustrate and validate the model performance, we apply the model to two test cases: the small Crosson-Dotson Ice Shelf in the warm Amundsen Sea region, and the large Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf in the cold Weddell Sea. At ice-shelf wide scales, LADDIE reproduces observed patterns of basal melt and freezing that are also well reproduced by 3D ocean models. At scales of 0.5–5 km, which are unresolved by 3D ocean models and poorly constrained by observations, LADDIE produces plausible basal melt patterns. Most significantly, the simulated basal melt patterns are physically consistent with the applied ice shelf topography. These patterns are governed by the topographic steering and Coriolis deflection of meltwater flows, two processes that are poorly represented in basal melt parameterisations. The kilometer-scale melt patterns simulated by LADDIE include enhanced melt rates in basal channels, in some shear margins, and nearby grounding lines. As these regions are critical for ice shelf stability, we conclude that LADDIE can provide detailed basal melt patterns at the essential resolution that ice sheet models require. The physical consistency between the applied geometry and the simulated basal melt fields indicates that LADDIE can play a valuable role in the development of coupled ice–ocean modeling.

REMA reveals spatial variability within the Dotson Melt Channel

“…5a, red arrow) corresponds to the same channel observed by Gourmelen et al (2017) (Fig. 5b) and Lambert et al (2022) (Fig. 5c).…”

“…These are all features that are present in both Gourmelen et al (2017) (Fig. 5b) and Lambert et al (2022) (Fig. 5c).…”

“…In our study, we also see a channelized pattern running along the western ice shelf margin (blue arrow). The narrow coastal channel along the western ice shelf margin (blue arrow) is not evident in the results of Gourmelen et al (2017), it is, however, present in Lambert et al (2022). Figure 6 shows a zoom-in of the channel, from which it becomes apparent that our melt rate product shares a lot of similarities with those of Lambert et al (2022), especially when it comes to features of smaller scales such as the coastal channel.…”

“…The narrow coastal channel along the western ice shelf margin (blue arrow) is not evident in the results of Gourmelen et al (2017), it is, however, present in Lambert et al (2022). Figure 6 shows a zoom-in of the channel, from which it becomes apparent that our melt rate product shares a lot of similarities with those of Lambert et al (2022), especially when it comes to features of smaller scales such as the coastal channel. The striped pattern in the northeastern part of the main channel in our product is due to the varying and often limited coverage of the REMA strips (Fig.…”

“…5a, cyan arrow). The positioning of this convergence zone 315 may be determined by the pinning point, since melt water plumes causing channel formation have a tendency to align along western topographic boundaries in this area (Lambert et al, 2022).…”