Abstract
<p>Ice flow models based on the Shallow Ice Approximation (SIA) are among the most broadly used type of ice flow model thanks to their simplicity and low computational costs. One key problem of SIA-based models are the mass conservation issues that emerge within steep terrain. In more detail, at some grid cells more ice can removed within one time step than there is present leading to negative ice thicknesses. This issue becomes increasingly problematic with topographical steepness and model resolution. As high resolutions become more accessible with faster computers, mass conservation errors might become increasingly important in the future.</p><p>Here we present a new scheme for SIA models that are integrated explicitly forward-in-time centred-in-space, one of the most common implementation. We show that mass conservation can be restored by capping surface differences with the upstream ice thickness in the computation of surface gradients, given a time step is used that maintains numerical stability. This new scheme is simple, strictly mass conserving, and can be implemented vectorially resulting in compact and efficient codes. We demonstrate the functionality of our new scheme and show some practical applications.</p><p> </p>
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.