🌏 Better models = better climate predictions.
A new paper led by ACEAS PhD researcher Claire Yung (ANU) shows how a refined equation used in ocean models can significantly improve the accuracy of Antarctic ice shelf melt predictions.
➡️ antarctic.org.au/new-model-co...
Nice summary of the importance of Antarctica's ice shelves and how little we know about them. Major differences between models of present day ice shelf melt need to be resolved.
Paper here tc.copernicus.org/articles/19/...
Melt and circulation change with the new parameterisation, and there are still many uncertainties. But we are hopefully one step closer to accurate melt predictions across Antarctica!
Thanks to @mad-ros.bsky.social @adele-morrison.bsky.social @andyhogg.bsky.social and Yoshihiro Nakayama!
Beneath ice shelves, meltwater sits above the rest of the ocean. In some conditions, stratification suppresses the boundary layer turbulence that parameterisations assume is driving melt. We tested a new parameterisation with this stratification-melting feedback, previously not fully accounted for.
Our paper on a new ice shelf basal melt parameterisation is out! tc.copernicus.org/articles/19/...
Small-scale processes in the ocean drive ice shelf basal melt, and large-scale ocean models can’t resolve these processes. Therefore, models use melt parameterisations, but these can still be improved.
I am thrilled to share this multimedia story highlighting my experience on the #Denman Marine Voyage earlier this year, alongside the inspiring work of 3 other Antarctic scientists:
news.unsw.edu.au/en/breaking-...
✍️ @melissalyne.bsky.social
🌊🇦🇶 #DMV @antarcticsciaus.bsky.social @ccrc.bsky.social
New today: Critical research published in @nature.com on the abrupt and alarming changes being observed in #Antarctica and the surrounding Southern Ocean, led by Prof. @climatenerilie.bsky.social, with @profmattengland.bsky.social and colleagues ⬇️
theconversation.com/from-sea-ice...
🌊❄️🧪 🇦🇶 Please share:
We have learned that the National Science Foundation is moving ahead with plans to decommission the U.S. Research Vessel/Ice Breaker Nathaniel B. Palmer this October.
If you care about Antarctic research, please read on (1/n)
We figured out a cheap-ish way to make ocean models create Dense Shelf Waters (DSW) on the surface of the Antarctic continental shelf! How?
Fast answer: Ocean surface cells thinner than 1 m!
Long answer on the paper: dx.doi.org/10.1029/2024...
----
More info in the thread
🚨 New paper alert 🚨
We developed the new PanAntarctic model and assessed the sensitivity of Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) formation and export to horizontal model resolutions of 1/10°, 1/20° and 1/40°.
Open access paper in JAMES:
doi.org/10.1029/2024...
1️⃣ Like a heartbeat driving one of the largest seasonal cycles on Earth, Antarctic sea ice is central to the global climate system and vital for unique ecosystems.
🛰️ "NSIDC's sea ice data is our number one heart rate monitor for the state of the planet’s ice. It’s our early warning system and tells us if the patient is about to flatline." — Dr Alex Fraser, AAPP sea-ice remote sensing scientist
@utas.edu.au
@nsidc.bsky.social
🌊 tinyurl.com/3vphpmzy
Q: What happens when we lose Antarctic sea ice in the summer?
A: Bad things. A short 🧵
New research out today: academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
Excited to share new research in the Journal of Geophysical Research:Oceans with @andyhogg.bsky.social, @navidcy.bsky.social, Ryan Holmes, and @hemant-khatri.bsky.social on how the North Atlantic Oscillation impacts the basin's subtropical and subpolar gyres: doi.org/10.1029/2024... 🌊
The very dire and scary situation unfortunately continues for NOAA Research - including across the federal labs, cooperative institutes, and program offices...
I can’t find a better word than devastating for what’s happening to the next generation of scientists and early career researchers (soft money, lack of tenure)
Every day brings something new, and the real funding fall-out (I think) is to come as existing grants run out. Recovery could take decades
#Antarctic ice melt to drastically alter the structure of key Antarctic current, new research finds
A ground-breaking new study led by Ellie Ong has found Antarctica's “last oceanic defence”, the ASC, could be transformed by the melting of the very ice it shields ⬇️
antarctic.org.au/antarctic-ic...
🙌 Thank you to our #DMV research teams, voyage partners and science collaborators @antarctic.bsky.social | @arcsaef.bsky.social | AAD | @utas.edu.au | @imas-utas.bsky.social | @scienceanu.bsky.social | @ccrc.bsky.social | UQ | @coschoolofmines.bsky.social
This is horrible. I don't even know what to say. Some of our most key polar data.
"As a result, the level of services for affected products below will be reduced to Basic—meaning they will remain accessible but may not be actively maintained, updated, or fully supported."
nsidc.org/data/user-re...
Working with the hydrochemistry team for @antarcticsciaus.bsky.social on the #DMV, @christinaocean.bsky.social has also captured some incredible images of the natural environment around the Denman Glacier ⬇️ @ccrc.bsky.social | UNSW
(portrait: Pete Harmsen / AAD)
We are back in Hobart after 2 months at sea on RSV #Nuyina 🌊 It was an incredible voyage to the Denman Glacier and Shakleton Ice Shelf with great people, an impressive range of science, stunning landscapes, and cute wildlife.
@antarcticsciaus.bsky.social
#Denman Marine Voyage #DMV
NEW: The total loss of NOAA’s office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research —a nerve center of global climate science, data collection and modeling — represents a setback for climate preparedness that experts warn the nation may never recover from.
By @abrahm.bsky.social
The #DMV has transited east and west of the Denman Glacier and the Shackleton Ice Shelf, and one side is markedly more biologically productive than the other.
How to find out why? Here's Delphine Lannuzel and Pauline Latour, with @antarctic.bsky.social ⬇️
aappartnership.org.au/all-part-of-...
Cuts to #science of >50% at NASA and >75% at NOAA would end US climate and space science research.
NASA cuts are '...an "extinction level" event': arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
"At this funding level, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research is eliminated...": www.science.org/content/arti...
Check out what our dream team has done so far during the Denman voyage 🌊!!
What lies beneath 🌊
Dramatically-reduced sea ice cover in front of the tongue of the Denman Glacier has allowed a rare exploration opportunity on the #DMV
Here's @hochmuth.bsky.social on the mapping of the seafloor in this incredible unchartered territory ⬇️ #blog
antarctic.org.au/denman-glaci...
I've been blown away by all the different types of sea ice out here on the Denman Marine Voyage!
Antarctica's icebergs are famous for their brilliant whites and blues 🧊 Then, there's the startling green, brown, black and even marbled hues - as seen at the Denman Glacier ice front. But how does it happen?
@kaihezak.bsky.social explains ⬇️ #DMV #blog
antarctic.org.au/mysteries-of...
About halfway from Hobart to #Antarctica, RSV Nuyina is meeting the Southern Ocean head on.
Track the ship's progess on the Denman Marine Voyage #DMV at www.antarctica.gov.au/antarctic-op... and follow our voyage blog at aappartnership.org.au/DMV/
📹 Pete Harmsen/AAD