Interacting ice Sheet and Ocean Tipping - Indicators, Processes, Impacts and Challenges (ISOTIPIC)
This proposal will address key global “core” Tipping Elements (TEs). Global TEs are defined as contributing substantially to the functioning of the Earth system. They include TEs associated with both the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets (GrIS and AIS comprising the West and East Antarctic ice sheets, WAIS and EAIS), as well as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC).
Prof Anthony Payne, University of Liverpool
Bablu Sinha
Feb 2024 - Jan 2028
NERC - Strategic Research
Aim
The theory underpinning the existence of TE processes was necessarily developed using highly simplified models. In reality, many additional Earth system processes and interactions will complicate the dynamics of these systems, however it is unclear whether this additional complexity will change the fundamental character of the associated Tipping Points. The aim of the proposed research is therefore to apply state-of-the-art, process-based Earth system models (both as a whole and as component parts) to understand how Earth system interactions affect the potential for passing tipping points, tipping cascades, the possibility of early warning and the impacts of tipping.
