Ph.D. Research Profile: Mette Riger-Kusk
Ice discharge of an Antarctic outlet glacier: Darwin-Hatherton Glacial system
Contact Details:
Room: 314
Tel: +64 (0)3 364 2987 Ext.7931
E-mail: mette.riger-kusk@pg.canterbury.ac.nz
Mail: Department of Geography,
University of Canterbury,
Private Bag 4800,
Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
Qualifications:
- MSc Geology, University of Aarhus, Denmark, and University Centre in Svalbard, Norway
- BSc Geology, University of Aarhus, Denmark
Research Overview:
The Darwin-Hatherton Glacial system flows from the East Antarctic Ice Sheet through the Transantarctic Mountains into the Ross Ice Shelf in the Ross Embayment. Recent changes in ice thickness of the glacial system have previously been used to infer the variations of the grounded Ross Ice Sheet during the last glaciation. However, differing conclusions have been reached about the maximum ice thickness of the ice sheet and the rate of subsequent retreat. The discrepancies are primarily a result of insufficient knowledge of key parameters of the Darwin-Hatherton Glacial system such as ice thickness, mass balance, climate and the ages of glacial sediments in neighbouring ice-free valleys.
The PhD research is part of a larger multidisciplinary research programme co-ordinated by Gateway Antarctica and the Department of Geography, University of Canterbury. The research programme includes a remote sensing study, collection of climatological data and cosmogenic dating of glacial sediments in the study area.
The PhD research aims to clarify the past, present and future drainage dynamics of the Darwin-Hatherton Glacial system using geophysical and numerical modelling techniques. The research will include an investigation of ice thickness, internal structures, basal temperature conditions and grounding line position of the glacial system by conducting a detailed ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey.
Climatological data will be used to develop a mass balance model for the Darwin-Hatherton Glacial system. The mass balance model along with the results of the GPR survey and all other relevant information will then be used in the development of a consistent and well validated numerical ice flow model. Such a model will yield new information about the amount and rate of recent change in the glacial system and consequently the Ross Ice Shelf, and clarify some of the uncertainties that currently exist. Furthermore, the model will be employed to simulate glacial response to different scenarios of future climatic change.
Supervisors
Dr Wendy Lawson
Department of Geography
University of Canterbury
New Zealand
Dr Wolfgang Rack
Gateway Antarctica
University of Canterbury
New Zealand
Dr Brian Anderson
Antarctic Research Centre
Victoria University of Wellington
New Zealand