1. This work is supported by the National Science Foundation’s Transforming Undergraduate Education in STEM program within the
Directorate for Education and Human Resources (DUE-1245025).
UNIT 3 FIGURES
5. Average air temperatures over Greenland from January – August in 2001 and 2010. Data are
compiled from AVHRR and processed by J. Comiso (pers. comm.) We selected this monthly
range due to data availability. Note that 2010 was an anomalously warm summer in Greenland.
6. Snowmelt data for each 25 km pixel is calculated from the Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder
(SSMIS) passive microwave radiometer, which acquires daily brightness temperatures. The National Snow
and Ice Data Center provides daily updates of Greenland surface melt at nsidc.org/greenland-today/.
7. Greenland ice velocity, created using
multiple InSAR scenes between 2008–
2009 (Rignot and Mouginot, 2012)
8. Petermann Glacier ice velocity in 2000–2001 (left) and the difference in ice velocity from 2000–2001 and
2008–2009. Maps are created using InSAR-derived velocity maps freely available at the NSIDC
(http://nsidc.org/data/nsidc-0478/) and described in Joughin et al., 2010.
Glacial
flow
9. Jakobshavn Isbrae ice velocity in 2000–2001 top) and the difference in ice velocity from 2000–2001 and
2008–2009. Maps are created using InSAR-derived velocity maps freely available at the NSIDC
(http://nsidc.org/data/nsidc-0478/) and described in Joughin et al., 2010.
Glacial
flow
10. Helheim Glacier ice velocity in 2000–2001 (top) and the difference in ice velocity from 2000–2001 and 2008–
2009. Maps are created using InSAR-derived velocity maps freely available at the NSIDC
(http://nsidc.org/data/nsidc-0478/) and described in Joughin et al., 2010.
Glacial
flow
11. NE interior in 2000–2001 (top) and the difference in ice velocity from 2000–2001 and 2008–2009. Maps are
created using InSAR-derived velocity maps freely available at the NSIDC
(http://nsidc.org/data/nsidc-0478/) and described in Joughin et al., 2010.
Glacial
flow
12. Surface elevation change map
(modified from Pritchard et al,
2009). ICESat, a satellite
altimeter, acquires elevation
data along the flight tracks
shown as lines on the figure.
This map was produced by
calculating the difference in
elevation between 2003 and
2007.
13. Ice elevation time series for Jakobshavn from ICESat and airborne altimetry. Figure
modified from Csatho et al., 2014.
14. Ice elevation time series for Helheim from ICESat and airborne altimetry. Figure modified
from Csatho et al., 2014.
15. Ice elevation time series for Petermann Glacier from ICESat and airborne altimetry. Figure
modified from Csatho et al., 2014.
16. Ice elevation time series for NE Greenland (interior) from ICESat and airborne altimetry.
Figure modified from Csatho et al., 2014.
17. GRACE time series (after
Velicogna and Wahr,
2008) for Greenland,
2002–2012. Left Y-axis
shows Gt of ice (1 Gt ~1
km3 water equivalent).
Students in all groups receive these maps. Map labeled “prediction”: Based on their respective data sets, students should shade (within the four circled study areas) their predictions for ice mass change using the color scale provided.
Map labeled “evidence”: Students should provide written evidence/justification for their predictions for each of the four circled study areas. Word choices/prompts are given in each of the activity sheets.
Shaded relief map of Greenland with four study sites circled.
Greenland map with four regions of study labeled.
Greenland map with four regions of study labeled.
Group A data: Average air temperatures over Greenland from January–August in 2001 and 2010. Data are compiled from AVHRR and processed by J. Comiso (pers. comm.) We selected this monthly range due to data availability. Note that 2010 was an anomalously warm summer in Greenland.
Group A data: Snowmelt data for each 25 km pixel is calculated from the Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder (SSMIS) passive microwave radiometer, which acquires daily brightness temperatures. The National Snow and Ice Data Center provides daily updates of Greenland surface melt at http://nsidc.org/greenland-today/.
Group B data: Greenland ice velocity, created using multiple InSAR scenes between 2008–2009 (from Rignot and Mouginot, 2012).
Rignot, E., and J. Mouginot (2012), Ice flow in Greenland for the International Polar Year 2008–2009, Geophys. Res. Lett., 39, L11501, doi:10.1029/2012GL051634.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2012GL051634/full
(American Geophysical Union permits a figure to be reproduced for educational purposes.)
Group B data: Petermann Glacier ice velocity in 2000–2001 (left) and the difference in ice velocity from 2000–2001 and 2008–2009. Maps are created using InSAR-derived velocity maps freely available at the NSIDC (http://nsidc.org/data/nsidc-0478/) and described in Joughin et al., 2010.
Group B data:
Jakobshavn Isbræ ice velocity in 2000–2001 (left) and the difference in ice velocity from 2000–2001 and 2008–2009. Maps are created using InSAR-derived velocity maps freely available at the NSIDC (http://nsidc.org/data/nsidc-0478/) and described in Joughin et al., 2010.
Group B data:
Helheim Glacier ice velocity in 2000–2001 (left) and the difference in ice velocity from 2000–2001 and 2008–2009. Maps are created using InSAR-derived velocity maps freely available at the NSIDC (http://nsidc.org/data/nsidc-0478/) and described in Joughin et al., 2010.
Group B data:
NE interior of Greenland ice velocity in 2000–2001 (left) and the difference in ice velocity from 2000–2001 and 2008–2009. Maps are created using InSAR-derived velocity maps freely available at the NSIDC (http://nsidc.org/data/nsidc-0478/) and described in Joughin et al., 2010.
Group C data: Surface elevation change map from Pritchard et al. (2009). ICESat, a satellite altimeter, acquires elevation data along the flight tracks shown as lines on the figure. This map was produced by calculating the difference in elevation between 2003 and 2007.
Greenland part of Figure 2 (http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v461/n7266/fig_tab/nature08471_F2.html#figure-title) from
Pritchard, Hamish D., et al. Extensive dynamic thinning on the margins of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets." Nature 461.7266 (2009): 971-975.
Group C data: Ice elevation time series for Jakobshavn from ICESat and airborne altimetry. Figure modified from Csatho et al., 2014.
Csatho, B, et al. "Laser altimetry reveals complex pattern of Greenland Ice Sheet dynamics." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2014.
Note - PNAS allows reuse of images for educational purposes. Copyright is retained by National Academy of Sciences
Group C data: Ice elevation time series for Helheim from ICESat and airborne altimetry. Figure modified from Csatho et al., 2014.
Group C data: Ice elevation time series for Petermann from ICESat and airborne altimetry. Figure modified from Csatho et al., 2014.
Group C data: Ice elevation time series for NE Greenland (interior) study site from ICESat and airborne altimetry. Figure modified from Csatho et al., 2014.
GRACE time series (after Velicogna and Wahr, 2008) for Greenland, 2002–2012. Left Y-axis shows Gt of ice (1 Gt ~1 km3 water equivalent).
GRACE maps illustrating Greenland ice mass change from 2003 to 2004, 2009, and 2012. The four study sites from Unit 2 are circled on the maps. Ice mass change is expressed in equivalent water height. Students will compare their prediction maps to these maps and identify any differences between their predictions and the GRACE data. This exercise will be followed by a discussion of mechanisms that can lead to ice mass loss and gain.
