ICEDISC
Title: Ice Dynamic Investigations with Seismological Components
Summary: Glacier ice mass loss presently contributes 1.8 mm per year to global sea level rise. The cause of this loss can be divided into two primary categories: negative surface mass balance and increases in ice discharge into the ocean. The latter is also known as dynamic mass loss. Predicting global sea level changes is primarily limited by gaps in our understanding of glacier sliding and iceberg calving inhibiting the inclusion of dynamic mass loss in ice sheet models. The main issue is the inaccessibility of a glaciers base and its calving front, which significantly limits the amount of conclusive data on physical processes in these regions.
To get around this problem, I propose to implement an interdisciplinary approach that investigates glacier sliding and iceberg calving using new seismological techniques. The main component focuses on the linkages between changes in glacier surface melt and basal sliding, by investigating the subglacial drainage system with a seismic noise analysis technique. In the second part of this study, I propose to analyse regional seismograms and satellite images to develop and refine quantitative monitoring tools of iceberg calving. The Institute des Sciences de la Terre (ISTerre) at the University Joseph Fourier in Grenoble will serve as a host institution, contributing their extensive experiences and resources in the field of seismic noise analysis.
For the first time, such an analysis will be applied to glacier seismograms, which will extend my scientific skill set in interdisciplinary research of glacier seismology. As an integral part of ISTerre's scientific community, I will have the opportunity to extend my professional network, continue to supervise students and dovetail my previously developed outreach activities into the institute's programs. Overall, this project will help me flourish in my career as an independent researcher with a strong record of international mobility.
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