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J. Ettema et al., GRL 36 (2009), Higher surface mass balance of the Greenland ice sheet revealed by high-resolution climate modeling

Geophysical Research Letters, 36 (2009) L12501; doi: 10.1029/2009GL038110.

Higher surface mass balance of the Greenland ice sheet revealed by high-resolution climate modeling

Janneke Ettema, Michiel R. van den Broeke (Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands), Erik van Meijgaard (Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, De Bilt, Netherlands), Willem Jan van de Berg (Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands), Jonathan L. Bamber (Bristol Glaciology Centre, School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, U.K.), Jason E. Box (Department of Geography, Byrd Polar Research Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, U.S.A.), and Roger C. Bales (Sierra Nevada Research Institute, University of California, Merced, CA, U.S.A.)

Abstract

High-resolution (∼11 km) regional climate modeling shows total annual precipitation on the Greenland ice sheet for 1958–2007 to be up to 24% and surface mass balance up to 63% higher than previously thought. The largest differences occur in coastal southeast Greenland, where the much higher resolution facilitates capturing snow accumulation peaks that past five-fold coarser resolution regional climate models missed. The surface mass balance trend over the full 1958–2007 period reveals the classic pattern expected in a warming climate, with increased snowfall in the interior and enhanced runoff from the marginal ablation zone. In the period 1990–2007, total runoff increased significantly, 3% per year. The absolute increase in runoff is especially pronounced in the southeast, where several outlet glaciers have recently accelerated. This detailed knowledge of Greenland's surface mass balance provides the foundation for estimating and predicting the overall mass balance and freshwater discharge of the ice sheet.

(Received 10 March 2009, accepted 13 May 2009, published 16 June 2009.)

Ettema, J., M. R. van den Broeke, E. van Meijgaard, W. J. van de Berg, J. L. Bamber, J. E. Box, & R. C. Bales (2009), Higher surface mass balance of the Greenland ice sheet revealed by high-resolution climate modeling, Geophys. Res. Lett., 36, L12501, doi:10.1029/2009GL038110.

Link to abstract: http://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/2009/2009GL038110.shtml