NSF Org:	OPP Office of Polar Programs (OPP)
Recipient:
Initial Amendment Date:	August 20, 2008
Latest Amendment Date:	August 20, 2008
Award Number:	0806163
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	William J. Wiseman, Jr. OPP  Office of Polar Programs (OPP) GEO  Directorate for Geosciences
Start Date:	December 1, 2008
End Date:	November 30, 2011 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount:	$221,993.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date:	$221,993.00
Funds Obligated to Date:	FY 2008 = $221,993.00
History of Investigator:	Ian Howat (Principal Investigator) howat.4@osu.edu
Recipient Sponsored Research Office:	Ohio State University Research Foundation -DO NOT USE 1960 KENNY RD Columbus OH  US  43210-1016 (614)688-8734
Sponsor Congressional District:	03
Primary Place of Performance:	Ohio State University 1960 KENNY RD COLUMBUS OH  US  43210-1016
Primary Place of Performance Congressional District:	03
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI):	QR7NH79713E5
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s):	ANS-Arctic Natural Sciences
Primary Program Source:	0100CYXXDB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
Program Reference Code(s):	0000, 1079, OTHR
Program Element Code(s):	528000
Award Agency Code:	4900
Fund Agency Code:	4900
Assistance Listing Number(s):	47.078

ABSTRACT

Funds are provided to support a study of the spatial and temporal variability in basal stress regime of Breiðamerkurjökull, a glacier with deformable sediments at its base (a soft-bedded glacier). Soft-bedded ice masses are thought to be particularly sensitive to climate change. Yet, the mechanics of soft-bedded glacier flow remain poorly understood. Current ice sheet and glacier models used to predict future sea level rise rely on largely unconstrained parameterizations of basal shear stress and till rheology, leading to high uncertainties in output. This study will collect and analyze data targeted at elucidating weaknesses in current understanding of soft-bedded glacier motion, thus providing improved quantitative descriptions of the governing physical processes. Taking advantage of Breiðamerkurjökull?s accessibility and long history of observations the principal investigators will assemble an unprecedented array of remote-sensing and field data. These data will resolve variations in the glacier stress regime and basal conditions over a range of spatial and temporal scales. This study will develop new and innovative techniques for inferring basal conditions from observations of surface motion and ice-penetrating radar.

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