Superisors

Dr Adrian Luckman
Dr Bernd Kulessa
Daniela Jansen
Dr Ian Rutt

Project and aims

An understanding of the interaction between ice shelves and glaciers which feed them is of considerable importance to predictive models of ice sheet behaviour (Alley et al., 2005). The collapse of the Larsen B ice shelf in 2002 gives an example of one extreme where total loss of buttressing allows inland ice to accelerate and begin contributing to sea level rise (Scambos et al., 2004). The Larsen C ice shelf provides a contrasting scenario in which modest thinning of the ice shelf appears to be propagating across the grounding line and glacier which flow into the ice shelf are now beginning to thin (Shepherd et al., 2003; Pritchard et al., 2009). Capturing the dynamic nature of this process is expected to lead to a better understanding of the force balance across the grounding line.

This project will investigate the relationships between ice shelf and glacier dynamics and topographies using satellite remote sensing and numerical modelling. Ice surface velocities will be determined using automated feature tracking between repeat-pass pairs of high resolution satellite radar images (ERS, Envisat and TerraSAR-X) (Luckman et al., 2006), while thinning rates will be extracted from satellite laser and radar altimetry (ICESat, Cryosat) (Pritchard et al., 2009). A three-dimensional ice shelf model may allow grounding line processes to be investigated (Sandhäger et al., 2005). The Larsen C ice shelf will be the main focus of the project, along with the many glaciers which feed into it, but other ice shelf-glacier systems may also be studied.

Research Environment

The student will join the Glaciology Group within the School of the Environment and Society at Swansea University, whose distinctive character lies in combining satellite remote sensing, modelling, and geophysical field techniques to understand present and future cryosphere-climate-ocean interactions. The Glaciology Group icurrently consists of five permanent members of academic staff, six post-doctoral researchers and ten postgraduate students. We currently have active research programmes in Svalbard, Greenland, Antarctica, and the European Alps and the Himalayas, and interests in nearly all glaciated landscapes on Earth. Of particular relevance this project are our world-class facilities for satellite remote sensing, including a LINUX-based remote sensing laboratory and specialised software.

Applicant requirements

The ideal candidate for this PhD would have proven numerical or computer skills, a first or upper-second class degree in a relevant discipline, and a strong interest in glaciology and the Polar regions. An MSc in a GIS, remote sensing or other geoscience area would be an advantage. Training will be given in specific remote sensing techniques and general glaciology. For further details, please contact Dr Adrian Luckman (a.luckman@swansea.ac.uk)

Funding

This project is eligible for competitive funding through NERC studentships awarded to the Department.  Other funding opportunities are available and self-funded students are always welcome. Contact your potential supervisor for advice and details of how to apply. The closing date for applications to NERC studentships is 18 March 2011.   

References

Alley, R. B., Clark, P. U., Huybrechts, P., Joughin, I., October 2005. Ice-sheet and sea-level changes. Science 310 (5747), 456-460.

Scambos, T. A., Bohlander, J. A., Shuman, C. A., Skvarca, P., September 2004. Glacier acceleration and thinning after ice shelf collapse in the larsen b embayment, antarctica. Geophysical Research Letters 31 (18), L18402.

Pritchard, H. D., Arthern, R. J., Vaughan, D. G., Edwards, L. A., September 2009. Extensive dynamic thinning on the margins of the greenland and antarctic ice sheets. Nature 461 (7266), 971-975.

Shepherd, A., Wingham, D., Payne, T., Skvarca, P., October 2003. Larsen ice shelf has progressively thinned. Science 302 (5646), 856-859.

Luckman, A., Murray, T., de Lange, R., Hanna, E., February 2006. Rapid and synchronous ice-dynamic changes in east greenland. Geophysical Research Letters 33 (3), L03503.

Sandhäger, H., Rack, W., Jansen, D.(2005). Model investigations of Larsen B Ice Shelf dynamics prior to the breakup, Forum for Research into Ice Shelf Processes FRISP) Report No.16, 5-12.