Publication Date:
2019-05-02
Description:
The oceanic heat available in Greenland’s troughs is dependent on the location of the trough, the warm water origin, and how the water is impacted by local processes. This study investigates the mechanisms that bring warm water to the shelf and into the troughs abutting the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS). Warm water that is exchanged from the trough into the fjord may influence the melt on the marine terminating glaciers. Regional ocean model experiments showed that Melville Bay troughs experienced warming following 2009. An increase in ocean heat in these troughs may drive a retreat of the GrIS. In 2004 to 2006, model experiments captured an increase in onshore heat flux in the Disko Bay trough, coinciding with the timing of the disintegration of Jakobshavn Isbrae's floating tongue and observed ocean heat increase in Disko Bay. Warm Irminger water can extend far north into Baffin Bay, reaching as north as Melville Bay troughs. However, it diminishes north of 67° N on the east coast. Seasonality of the maximum onshore heat flux differs due to distance away from the original source. The north-west coast and south-east coast respond differently to changes in meltwater from Greenland and high frequency atmospheric phenomena. With a doubling of the GrIS meltwater, Baffin Bay troughs brought ∼40 % more heat. The lack of presence of storms resulted in an increase in heat flux (∼20 %) through Helheim glacier’s trough. These results demonstrate the importance of onshore heat transport through troughs and its potential implications to the GrIS.
Print ISSN:
1994-0432
Electronic ISSN:
1994-0440
Topics:
Geography
,
Geosciences
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