Publication Abstracts
Carlson et al. 2009
Carlson, A.E., F.S. Anslow, E.A. Obbink, , D.J. Ullman, and J.M. Licciardi, 2009: Surface-melt driven Laurentide ice-sheet retreat during the early Holocene. Geophys. Res. Lett., 36, L24502, doi:10.1029/2009GL040948.
To better understand mechanisms of ice-sheet decay, we investigate the surface mass balance of the Laurentide Ice Sheet (LIS) during the early Holocene, a period of known rapid LIS retreat. We use a surface energy-mass balance model (EMBM) driven with conditions derived from an equilibrium atmosphere-ocean general circulation model 9 kilo-years ago simulation. Our EMBM indicates a net LIS surface mass balance of - 0.67±0.13 m/yr, with losses primarily due to enhanced boreal summer insolation and warmer summers. This rate of loss compared to LIS volume reconstructions suggests that surface ablation accounted for 74±22% of the LIS mass loss with the remaining loss likely driven by dynamics resulting in basal sliding and calving. Thus surface melting likely played a governing role in the retreat and disappearance of this ice sheet.
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BibTeX Citation
@article{ca06220z,
author={Carlson, A. E. and Anslow, F. S. and Obbink, E. A. and LeGrande, A. N. and Ullman, D. J. and Licciardi, J. M.},
title={Surface-melt driven Laurentide ice-sheet retreat during the early Holocene},
year={2009},
journal={Geophysical Research Letters},
volume={36},
pages={L24502},
doi={10.1029/2009GL040948},
}
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RIS Citation
TY - JOUR ID - ca06220z AU - Carlson, A. E. AU - Anslow, F. S. AU - Obbink, E. A. AU - LeGrande, A. N. AU - Ullman, D. J. AU - Licciardi, J. M. PY - 2009 TI - Surface-melt driven Laurentide ice-sheet retreat during the early Holocene JA - Geophys. Res. Lett. JO - Geophysical Research Letters VL - 36 SP - L24502 DO - 10.1029/2009GL040948 ER -
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