Concept information
Preferred term
MARGINS
Definition
- Short Title: MARGINS Proposal URL: http://classic.ipy.org/development/eoi/proposal-details.php?id=339 Recent changes in surface elevation and discharge speed in outlet glacier systems along the margins of the Greenland Ice Sheet have provided examples of dramatic localized shifts in the balance of ice discharge, surface melt, and accumulation. These rapid changes are in sharp contrast to relatively slow variations in surface elevation in the interior, which have been tied to accumulation and firn compaction variations on a decadal timescale. The challenge of documenting and attempting to understand the processes involved has motivated a large collection of proposed research projects aimed at this problem. These range from expansions of ongoing efforts to new projects, and from individual investigators to consortia from a number of nations. They utilize a range of observational and modeling techniques and exploit evolving capabilities in atmospheric modeling, remote sensing for measurement of ice motion and surface conditions, and surface-based and aircraft-based measurement techniques. To maximize the efficacy of efforts, an effective and timely dialog between these diverse projects is required. This dialog must encompass discussion of planned research, including field campaigns and modeling studies, interactions among field parties where practical, and rigorous discussion of results. To communicate effectively our emerging understanding, it would be of great benefit to maintain a current discussion of the collective state of the research in a common location. We believe that this new concentration of efforts focused on the downstream end of the mass balance problem in Greenland by investigators from many nations meshes well with the goals of the IPY, and forms a natural core IPY activity in Greenland. Work associated with this cluster is diverse, but the value of coordination at the international level is clear. Examples of activities that will benefit include: fieldwork that involves at least two projects from different nations using lidar and satellite measurements to track surface height change; numerous field and remote-sensing based studies of ice flow variations and patterns of surface melting; at least two projects that will use atmospheric models to estimate surface energy and mass balance; and a number of studies will exploit different approaches to ice flow modelling to interpret observations. A common goal in these studies is the documentation and understanding of ice sheet marginal change in Greenland. This proposal for a core activity for the IPY is aimed at facilitation of communication and collaboration among an open group of consortium members, with the goal of enhancing coordination of field measurement campaigns, modeling studies, and remote sensing measurements dedicated to understanding surface conditions and ice discharge in Greenland. The intent is to use the umbrella of the IPY to lower barriers to international interaction and cooperation between projects at all scales. The improved connectivity is intended to begin at the start of projects, to have an impact on planning and measurement strategies, and continue through data analysis and into special sessions at international meetings and include integrative topical meetings specific to Greenland. In this cluster proposal we identify a number of projects that have just received notification of funding for research that will continue through the IPY time period, projects that have submitted full proposals for funding to national funding agencies, and projects that are still in their formative stages. The suite of projects included here provides the beginning of a roster that can grow through the IPY period. All consortium members will adhere to National and ICSU requirements for IPY data policies, and utilize available resources for outreach coordination. Most activities directly involve students, and will be actively involved in training the next generation of polar scientists. (en)
Broader concept
- M - O (en)
URI
https://gcmd.earthdata.nasa.gov/kms/concept/4d36da67-96ea-401b-b6d5-abe902df6141
{{label}}
{{#each values }} {{! loop through ConceptPropertyValue objects }}
{{#if prefLabel }}
{{/if}}
{{/each}}
{{#if notation }}{{ notation }} {{/if}}{{ prefLabel }}
{{#ifDifferentLabelLang lang }} ({{ lang }}){{/ifDifferentLabelLang}}
{{#if vocabName }}
{{ vocabName }}
{{/if}}