Understanding the future evolution of ice sheets requires representing the two-way interactions between ice sheets and the broader Earth system. Ice sheets respond to changes in atmosphere and ocean conditions, but they also influence climate through their effects on sea level, freshwater input to the ocean, surface elevation, and the exchange of energy and moisture with the atmosphere. Our research focuses on coupling advanced ice sheet models with Earth system models to capture these feedbacks and investigate how they influence both future climate and ice-sheet change. By developing fully interactive modeling frameworks, we can explore how Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets evolve under changing environmental conditions while accounting for the complex interactions between the cryosphere, ocean, and atmosphere.
A major goal of this work is to determine when simplified approaches are sufficient and when fully coupled simulations are required to accurately represent ice-sheet change. We investigate how freshwater released from melting ice sheets and evolving ice-sheet surface topography affects oceanic and atmospheric circulation, and how climate feedbacks alter the trajectory of future ice loss. By integrating ice sheets into comprehensive Earth system models, our research helps improve confidence in long-term climate projections and provides a more complete understanding of the interactions between ice-sheet change and the global climate system.
If you are a prospective student or postdoc interested in exploring this topic further, please contact us to discuss specific works.