Instability of Thwaites Glacier based on integration of satellite remote sensing and submarine AUV observations
Short description
The Thwaites Glacier is the most vulnerable glacier in Antarctica. If it melts completely, it will cause the global average sea level to rise by 0.6 m, which is one of the biggest potential factors causing Antarctic mass loss.
This project mainly includes two aspects: Cooperative research in new scientific fields, and training of outstanding young talents for higher education. For cooperative research, the two teams will carry out remote sensing and underwater observation for instability research of the Thwaites Glacier Ocean system in West Antarctica, based on their respective expertise in remote sensing and ocean modelling.
The Swedish team is mainly responsible for study of the ice-ocean interface process and instability of Thwaites Glacier based on the AUV measurements in Amundsen Sea and the cavity beneath Thwaites Ice Shelf.
Project Background
The region near the Amundsen Sea in West Antarctica is very sensitive to sea level and climate change. Its change plays an important role in mass loss, glacier acceleration, and ground line retreat in Antarctica, and is one of the major factors leading to sea-level rise.
The Thwaites Glacier is the most vulnerable glacier in Antarctica. If it melts completely, it will cause the global average sea level to rise by 0.6 m, which is one of the biggest potential factors causing Antarctic mass loss.
Project description
This project aims to establish new scientific cooperation in the field of polar research, and also to strengthen the training of outstanding young polar researchers from both China and Sweden for higher education, including outstanding young researchers and doctoral/master students from both teams.
Chinese remote sensing team will cooperate with the Swedish top marine and glacier scientific team, focusing on the most leading-edge scientific issues in Antarctic research. During this period, both teams are expected to build a cooperative and win-win scientific partnership with each other through irregular online meetings and regular visits, and to promote collaborative observation based on multi-source remote sensing and Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) and ice-marine modeling, for study of the instability of the Thwaites Glacier.
Dr. Anna Wåhlin, Professor at University of Gothenburg, is the leader of the Sweden team. In terms of research, she will be responsible for the collection and analysis of AUV data, as well as ice-ocean interface process and interaction modeling.
