Cryosphere physics and observation

• describe the basic physics of ice
• identify the most important feedback mechanisms between the cryosphere and the climate system
• perform a geophysical or climatic interpretation of a relevant data set
• select a relevant data set (amongst e.g., gravimetry, altimetry, GNSS) for monitoring of a given cryosphere phenomenon
• run simple glacier and sea ice models and analyse the model output
• analyse gravimetry data from the GRACE satellites and use these to estimate the mass loss of the Antarctic ice sheet
• debate how geodynamics can influence different types of measurements
• characterize the individual contributions to the mass balance of ice sheets and sea ice, and outline how these can be estimated from data and models
• evaluate model results of e.g. post-glacial rebound and estimate the uncertainty of such models
• present a scientific topic.

Geodetic methods for monitoring the ice sheets and sea ice from satellites and aeroplanes. Physics of ice sheets and sea ice (ice motion and properties of snow and ice). Feedback mechanisms between the cryosphere and the climate system.

Specific topics:
• Mass balance, zones of an ice sheet/glacier
• Sea ice drift, type, and thickness
• Meltwater on sea ice and ice sheets
• Post-glacial rebound, geodynamics
• Firn, compaction, refreezing.

10020/10022/10024/30150/30140/30141/30142

Lectures and data processing