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Changes in the west antarctic ice sheet.

R B Alley, I M Whillans

Science (New York, N.Y.)

|November 15, 1991

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

West Antarctic ice sheet changes are driven by past glacial cycles and internal ice sheet dynamics, not current climate change. Its near-term sea level impact is already determined, though future behavior remains uncertain due to limited surveys.

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Using Generative Art to Convey Past and Future Climate Transitions

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Area of Science:

* Glaciology
* Climate Science
* Earth System Science

Background:

* The West Antarctic ice sheet (WAIS) flowing into the Ross Sea exhibits complex regional thinning and thickening.
* These observed changes are not directly linked to contemporary climatic shifts.

Purpose of the Study:

* To investigate the drivers behind the observed changes in the WAIS.
* To assess the near-future impact of the WAIS on global sea levels.

Main Methods:

* Analysis of ice sheet dynamics and historical glacial cycles.
* Evaluation of internal ice sheet processes.

Main Results:

* WAIS changes result from a combination of delayed response to the last glacial cycle's end and internal ice sheet instabilities.
* Near-future sea level contributions are primarily influenced by internal ice sheet dynamics, rather than projected greenhouse warming.

Conclusions:

* The near-term future behavior and sea level impact of the WAIS are largely predetermined by past events and internal processes.
* Insufficient survey data currently limits the ability to predict the overall long-term behavior of the entire ice sheet.