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Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Ice sheets

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Climate Investigations Using Ice Sheet And Mass Balance Models With Emphasis On North American Glaciation, Sean David Birkel Jan 2010

Climate Investigations Using Ice Sheet And Mass Balance Models With Emphasis On North American Glaciation, Sean David Birkel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation describes the application of the University of Maine Ice Sheet Model (UM-ISM) and Environmental Change Model (UM-ECM) to understanding mechanisms of ice-sheet/climate integration during ice ages. The UM-ECM, written by the author for this research, calculates equilibrium biome and snow/ice mass balance solutions for the globe based on modern input climatology and user-defined parameter values. The program was produced in conjunction with a National Science Foundation ITEST grant meant to seed inquiry-based classroom study of Earth systems using computer models. To that end, the UM-ECM serves as both a research and teaching tool. The model has a web-based …


Is Mwp 1a Real And Could It Have Originated In The Northern Hemisphere In Response To Bolling Warming, Sean D. Birkel Jan 2004

Is Mwp 1a Real And Could It Have Originated In The Northern Hemisphere In Response To Bolling Warming, Sean D. Birkel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Meltwater Pulse 1A (MWP 1A) is thought to have encompassed an abrupt rise in sea-level of 19 - 24 m ca. 14,000 calendar years B.P. The postulated rate of sea-level rise during the event was 24 - 50 mrnJyr. In contrast, the average rate of change during the overall glacial termination was 13 mrn/yr. Although MWP 1A is commonly accepted at face value, a compilation of all basic data points casts doubts on its validity. The Laurentide Ice Sheet (LIS) is commonly cited as the source of MWP 1A. Accelerated discharge of freshwater from the ice sheet could have weakened …