Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 14, 2025
06:27
Simulating Impacts of Ice Storms on Forest Ecosystems
Published on: June 30, 2020
7.3K
Design and results of the ice sheet model initialisation experiments initMIP-Greenland: an ISMIP6 intercomparison
Heiko Goelzer1,2, Sophie Nowicki3, Tamsin Edwards4
1Utrecht University, Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research (IMAU), Utrecht, Netherlands.
The Cryosphere
|July 18, 2020
Summary
Comparing Greenland ice sheet models reveals diverse initial conditions impact sea-level projections. This study evaluates initialization techniques to reduce uncertainties in ice sheet mass change modeling.
Area of Science:
- * Glaciology
- * Climate Modeling
- * Sea Level Rise Research
Background:
- * Previous Greenland ice sheet projections highlighted significant uncertainties stemming from initial ice sheet conditions.
- * The Ice Sheet Model Intercomparison Project for CMIP6 (ISMIP6) aims to improve ice sheet modeling.
- * initMIP-Greenland is the inaugural activity within ISMIP6, focusing on Greenland ice sheet initialization.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To compare, evaluate, and enhance ice sheet initialization techniques within the modeling community.
- * To quantify uncertainties associated with these initialization methods in modeled mass changes.
- * To assess the impact of initial conditions on Greenland ice sheet projections.
Main Methods:
- * Two experiments were designed for large-scale Greenland ice sheet modeling: one for initial present-day state and two for idealized forward responses.
- * Models were evaluated for drift in a control experiment (no forcing) and response to a prescribed surface mass balance anomaly.
- * Analysis focused on comparing diverse datasets, boundary conditions, and initialization strategies used by participating models.
Main Results:
- * Significant diversity exists in datasets, boundary conditions, and initialization techniques employed by the modeling community.
- * Good agreement was found in the dynamic response to surface mass balance changes in overlapping simulated ice sheet areas.
- * Differences in projections were attributed to variations in the initial size of the Greenland ice sheet across models.
- * Models participating in prior intercomparison exercises demonstrated reduced drift in control runs.
Conclusions:
- * Initialization techniques significantly influence Greenland ice sheet mass change projections and associated uncertainties.
- * Further refinement of initialization strategies is crucial for improving the accuracy of future sea-level rise estimates.
- * The initMIP-Greenland exercise provides valuable insights into current ice sheet modeling capabilities and areas for development.
