[en] This paper presents the impact of model resolution on the simulated wind speed, drifting snow climate and surface mass balance (SMB) of Terre Ade ́lie and its surroundings, East Antarctica. We compare regional climate model simulations at 27 and 5.5 km resolution for the year 2009. The wind speed maxima in Terre Ade ́lie and the narrow glacial valleys of Victoria Land are better represented at 5.5 km resolution, because the topography is better resolved. Drifting snow sublimation is >100 mm a−1 in regions with high wind speeds. Our results indicate a strong feedback between topography, wind gradients and drifting snow erosion. As a result, SMB shows much more local spatial variability at 5.5 km resolution that is controlled by drifting snow erosion, whereas the large-scale SMB gradient is largely determined by precipitation. Drifting snow processes lead to ablation in the narrow glacial valleys of Victoria Land. The integrated SMB equals 86 Gt. Although wind climate, drifting snow processes and SMB variability are better represented at 5.5 km, the area-integrated SMB is not significantly different between the simulations at 27 and 5.5 km. A horizontal resolution of 27 km is sufficient to realistically simulate ice-sheet wide SMB.
Disciplines :
Earth sciences & physical geography
Author, co-author :
Lenaerts, J. T. M.; Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
van den Broeke, Michiel R.; Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Scarchilli, Claudio; ENEA, Rome, Italy
Agosta, Cécile ; UJF-Grenoble 1/CNRS, LGGE UMR 5183, 54 rue Molière, BP 96, 38402, Grenoble Cedex, France
Language :
English
Title :
Impact of model resolution on simulated wind, drifting snow and surface mass balance in Terre Adelie, East Antarctica
Publication date :
2012
Journal title :
Journal of Glaciology
ISSN :
0022-1430
eISSN :
1727-5652
Publisher :
International Glaciological Society, United Kingdom
Volume :
58
Issue :
211
Pages :
821
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
European Projects :
FP7 - 226375 - ICE2SEA - Ice2sea - estimating the future contribution of continental ice to sea-level rise
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