World Climate Research Programme International Arctic Science Committee Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research Sponsors

Global Prediction of the Cryosphere (GPC)

Flatbreen Glacier looking southFlatbreen glacier looking southImage: ©Frozen Five 2007

Central questions for the GPC theme are:

  • What will be the impact of changes in the cryosphere on atmospheric and oceanic circulation?
  • What is the likelihood of abrupt or critical climate and/or Earth system changes resulting from processes involving the cryosphere?

For the CliC project, the GPC Theme leads the coordination of future research on Regional Climate Modelling and Improved Parameterization of Cryospheric Processes, which is one of the five major research initiatives that integrate and cut across the four CliC Science Themes.  Regional climate models have the potential to deliver improved cryospheric predictions as a result of their higher horizontal resolution and better representation of regional climate processes.   More...

Wilkins Ice ShelfThe breakout from the Wilkins Ice Shelf is an example of widespread retreat and disintegration of glaciers and ice shelves that is occurring across the globe. Disintegration of ice shelves has resulted in an increase of the flow speed of many glaciers that feed into them. If this continues, it will increase the rate of sea-level rise in the future. However, accurate predictions require improved regional climate projections and further development of ice-sheet models.Image: ©National Snow and Ice Data Center, Boulder, Colorado