Publication: Advances in Polar Science (APS). Vol. 34, No. 1, 1~4, March 2023
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DOI: 10.13679/j.advps.2023.0003
Author: YAN Yuzhen
CNARC member: Polar Research Institute of China (PRIC)
Abstract: Ice sheet collapse under a warming world poses threat to humanity as a whole since approximately 38% of global population lives within 100 km of the coast (UNEP, 2014). The West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) is grounded on bedrock currently below sea-level and therefore vulnerable to ocean warming (Mercer, 1968; Hughes, 1973). Observations over the past decades have confirmed accelerated mass losses from West Antarctica (Rignot et al., 2019). Yet, accurately quantifying future contributions to sea-level rises from the WAIS remains challenging. One way to reduce the uncertainty of future sea-level predictions is to investigate the sensitivity of ice sheets to past temperature changes. For example, the Last Interglacial (LIG) between 129 ka and 116 ka ago has gained considerable interest. The LIG is a geologically recent interval with an average global temperature 0℃ to 2℃ higher than the pre-industrial level (Otto-Bliesner et al., 2013). The LIG thus represents a “geologic analog” for anticipated near-future warming and could potentially shed light on the response of the WAIS to future warming. ... (to read more please go to the download link)
Key words: sea level rise, West Antarctic Ice Sheet, Ross Ice Shelf, ice cores, Last Interglacial
