Modelling the future mass balance of glaciated Northwest Spitsbergen, Svalbard for a range of socio-economic trajectories

Spitsbergen, Svalbard, is covered by approximately 22,000 km2 of glaciers, which are particularly sensitive to the enhanced global warming expected over the region (Nuth et al., 2010; Miao et al., 2014). Loss of these glaciers has global, regional and local implications. The study transiently models the 2006-2100 climatic mass balance of glaciers in Northwest Spitsbergen for different socio-economic scenarios using a low-complexity, tractable approach. Glaciated Northwest Spitsbergen is projected to experience 31.3 ? 17.3% volume loss (1.11 ? 0.61 mm of sea level rise) from 2006-2100. The model represents the future patterns well but constantly underestimates volume loss. Overall the study emphasises the uncertain future for glaciated Northwest Spitsbergen, and the place for low-complexity modelling in current research.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Masters

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Cambridge

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Cogbill, Rhiannon

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Willis, Ian

Licence

• https://apollo8-f-pro.lib.cam.ac.uk/bitstreams/dc3b0d09-d3dc-462e-a1d9-4ebc788dd29d/download
• https://www.rioxx.net/licenses/all-rights-reserved/
• https://apollo8-f-pro.lib.cam.ac.uk/bitstreams/4848cfc7-a133-4ef4-ac33-0b6f6db92274/download

Language dc:language

en

DOI dc:identifier.doi

https://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.8749

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.repository.cam.ac.uk:1810/263407