Abstract
Abstract. The evolution of
the thickness and area of two large Southern Ocean icebergs that have drifted
in open water for more than a year is estimated through the combined analysis
of altimeter data and visible satellite images. The observed thickness
evolution is compared with iceberg melting predictions from two commonly used
melting formulations, allowing us to test their validity for large icebergs.
The first formulation, based on a fluid dynamics approach, tends to
underestimate basal melt rates, while the second formulation, which considers
the thermodynamic budget, appears more consistent with observations.
Fragmentation is more important than melting for the decay of large icebergs.
Despite its importance, fragmentation remains poorly documented. The
correlation between the observed volume loss of our two icebergs and
environmental parameters highlights factors most likely to promote
fragmentation. Using this information, a bulk model of fragmentation is
established that depends on ocean temperature and iceberg velocity. The model
is effective at reproducing observed volume variations. The size distribution
of the calved pieces is estimated using both altimeter data and visible
images and is found to be consistent with previous results and typical of
brittle fragmentation processes. These results are valuable in accounting for
the freshwater flux constrained by large icebergs in models.
Funder
Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales
Subject
Earth-Surface Processes,Water Science and Technology
Cited by
18 articles.
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