Melting and circulation in Antarctic ice shelf cavities

This project will investigate the key processes by which a warming global ocean is leading to more rapid melting, thinning, ungrounding, and acceleration of several Antarctic glaciers, and to significant global sea level rise. The results from a novel series of laboratory experiments will yield better understanding of the complex dynamics that control circulation, thermohaline convection and melting in ice shelf cavities, such as that underlying Pine Island Glacier in West Antarctica. An important outcome will be better representation of these processes in ocean models, from which more accurate projections of future climate will follow.