Assessing the Representation of Parallel Sided Slab on Slope Glacier: A Data Analysis of West Antarctic Ice Sheet Divide
Data & AnalysisGlaciers play a critical role in the Earth’s climate system by storing and releasing freshwater, regulating sea level, and influencing ocean circulation. The West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) is particularly important because it contains enough ice to raise global sea levels by more than 3 meters. The WAIS is divided into several sub-regions, one of
Estimating Vertical Motion in the Atmosphere Using 3D WRF Output Fields: A Numerical Modelling Study
Modeling & PredictionAtmospheric Vertical Motion Estimation from 3D Fields in WRF Output Introduction to WRF Numerical modeling has become an important tool for understanding the Earth’s atmosphere. One of the key parameters often investigated in numerical models is the vertical motion of the atmosphere. The vertical motion of the atmosphere is responsible for driving circulation and precipitation
Melting Sea Ice and Its Impact on Global Sea Level: Separating Fact from Fiction
Polar & Ice RegionsSea ice is an important component of the Earth’s climate system, and its decline in recent decades has been a focus of concern among scientists and policymakers. One of the key questions surrounding sea ice melt is whether it contributes to global sea level rise. In this article, we will explore the science behind sea
Unraveling the Mystery of Ekman Transport: The Role of Coriolis Effect in Air Currents
Weather & ForecastsThe Coriolis effect and Ekman transport are two important concepts in Earth science that explain the behavior of air currents. The Coriolis effect is a phenomenon caused by the rotation of the Earth. It causes objects moving on the Earth’s surface to appear to be deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to
Disrupting the View: How Primate Behavior Can Impact Distant Cloud Observation
Natural EnvironmentsThe event I recently had an unusual experience that highlighted the unexpected ways in which our environment can affect our ability to observe and understand the world around us. While attempting to observe a large cloud formation 300 miles away, my snarky cousin decided to throw a monkey into my line of sight. While the
The Surprising Role of Sublimation in Glacial Ice Mass Balance: An Energy Balance Perspective
Outdoor GearGlaciers are one of the most important sources of freshwater on Earth, and their mass balance (the balance between ice accumulation and loss) is a key indicator of the health of our planet’s cryosphere. A positive mass balance occurs when the amount of ice gained by a glacier exceeds the amount lost through melting, calving,