Dynamics of the Antarctic ice cap and climatic changes

Persons :

• Prof. dr.  DECLEIR Hugo - Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
  Financed belgian partner
  Duration: 1/9/1992-30/9/1996
  

Description :

THEME

A] Study on the behaviour of the Antarctic ice cap (specific drainage basins, ice divides) in terms of climatic changes, with the help of a refined local 3D model and a flow-line model.

B] Field observations of the dynamics of glaciers (ice thickness and flow velocities), for the calibration and validation of modelling experiments.

OBJECTIVES

- To determine the implication of the regional behaviour of the Antarctic ice cap in relation to:

a) the general climatic history during the Cenozoic and the atmosphere-cryosphere-sea level relationship;

b) the role of the local geomorphology (subglacial relief, gradient) in the reaction of the ice cap to climatic forcing;

c) the stability of the Antarctic ice cap and its future behaviour.

- To simulate the local behaviour of glaciers in relation to glaciation and deglaciation during a glacial cycle.