Alexandra Messerli

SVALI PhD student: 1.09.2011-31.08.2014

Subject: Ice dynamics and glacier hydrology

Theme 2: Understanding the physical processes
Work package 2.1: Glacial and subglacial hydrology
 
 
   
 
 

2.1a     The effect of melt water input on variations in subglacial water pressure.
2.1b     The role of the basal hydraulic system in diurnal and seasonal variations in subglacial hydrology.
2.1e     Develop sliding parametrisations for a dynamic ice-flow model
1.2b     Assimilation of in-situ data from GPS and geodetic cameras with data from radar and optical remote sensing
1.2c     Comparison of ice-velocities inferred from different methods
1.2d     Assessment of annual velocity changes versus long-term trends


Host institute:                         Centre for Ice and Climate,University of Copenhagen
Degree granting institute:        University of Copenhagen
Collaborating institute(s):        NVE,UIO,IMO,
Advisor/responsible scientist:  Aslak Grinsted (CIC)
Supervising committee:           Miriam Jackson (Co-Supervisor)(NVE)
                                              Dorthe Dahl-Jensen (CIC)
                                              Nanna Karlsson (CIC)

The focus of the PhD is to improve our process understanding between the interaction of glacier hydrology and ice dynamics. This is to further develop the inclusion of a more accurate representation of glacial hydrology into large scale ice sheet models. The work is based around WP 2.1 as well as looking into other areas of the SVALI framework from themes 1 and 3. Most of the work will be carried out at Engabreen and in the Svartisen Subglacial Laboratory (SSL).  Here the aim is to use the vast array of observations to allow for a more complete understanding of the interaction between hydrology and ice dynamics. This will be done by using pressure, seismic, basal sliding and hydrological discharge measurements at the SSL along with a GPS survey of surface ice velocity. It is hoped that other major experiments will be carried out at Engabreen, one of which is generating a Jokulhaulp and second using a terrestrial long range laser scanner to monitor ice motion at the surface during a Jokulhaulp and the spring speed-up event. This work is in collaboration with the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) and also working closely with other PhD students from the SVALI project based at the NVE and the Icelandic Met Office. 

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