How Similar Are Greenland Melting Signatures Observed in Model Simulations, Radar Altimetry and GRACE?

Sophie Stolzenberger1, Claudia Wekerle2, Roelof Rietbroek1 and Juergen Kusche1, (1)University of Bonn, Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformation, Bonn, Germany, (2)Alfred Wegener Institut, Climate Dynamics, Bremerhaven, Germany
Abstract:
The German research project GROCE investigates the interaction between Greenland ice sheet and the surrounding ocean focusing on the northeastern part of Greenland. The key area analyzed within this project is the region around the 79N glacier and the NEGIS (North East Greenland Ice Stream).

This contribution looks at the impact of Greenland freshwater on the North Atlantic and Arctic Ocean. On the one hand, we analyze the output of the global coupled sea ice ocean model FESOM based on different configurations (Greenland melting rate, horizontal resolution etc.). On the other hand, we include observations from radar altimetry and GRACE. The aim of this study is whether signatures of Greenland melting found in the model are visible in the observations. Therefore we estimate changes in ocean mass and steric heights for the last 25 years. In a comprehensive framework, we will discuss similarities and differences between model simulations and observations and assess the uncertainties.

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