Low-temperature triple-capillary cryostat for ice crystal growth studies Atmospheric Measurement Techniques DOI 10.5194/amt-12-6143-2019 3 December 2019 We have built a triple-capillary cryostat designed to reduce potential instrumental effects that may have influenced earlier measurements and to improve our understanding of the processes responsible for ice crystal shapes and sizes. In this cryostat, a crystal forms on one of three well-separated and ultrafine capillaries. In this paper we describe the new instrument and present several observations made using the instrument to illustrate the instrument’s advantages. Read more
Compacting the description of a time-dependent multivariable system and its multivariable driver by reducing the state vectors to aggregate scalars: the Earth’s solar-wind-driven magnetosphere Nonlinear Processes in Geophysics DOI 10.5194/npg-26-429-2019 3 December 2019 A methodology is developed to simplify the mathematical description of activity in a time-dependent driven system. The method describes the response in the system that is most-closely related to the driver. This reduced description has advantages: low noise, high prediction efficiency, linearity in the described system response to the driver, and compactness. The analysis of the Earth’s magnetospheric system is demonstrated. Read more
Distinct stores and the routing of water in the deep critical zone of a snow-dominated volcanic catchment Hydrology and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/hess-23-4661-2019 3 December 2019 This paper examines the influence of the subsurface structure on water routing, water residence times, and the hydrologic response of distinct groundwater stores and further investigates their contribution to streamflow. We conclude that deep groundwater from the fractured aquifer system, rather than shallow groundwater, is the dominant source of streamflow, which highlights the need to better characterize the deep subsurface of mountain systems using interdisciplinary studies such as this one. Read more
Meeting climate targets by direct CO2 injections: what price would the ocean have to pay? Earth System Dynamics DOI 10.5194/esd-10-711-2019 22 November 2019 This modeling study is the first one to look at the suitability and collateral effects of direct CO2injection into the deep ocean as a means to bridge the gap between CO2emissions and climate impacts of an intermediate CO2emission scenario and a temperature target on a millennium timescale, such as the 1.5 °C climate target of the Paris Agreement. Read more
Geo-locate project: a novel approach to resolving meteorological station location issues with the assistance of undergraduate students Geoscience Communication DOI 10.5194/gc-2-157-2019 22 November 2019 The Global Land and Marine Observations Database aims to produce a comprehensive land-based meteorological data archive and inventory. Data sources contained stations in incorrect locations; therefore, we developed the Geo-locate project, enlisting the help of undergraduate geography students. The project has resolved 1926 station issues so far. Due to the success of the Geo-locate project, we encourage other organizations to engage university students to help resolve similar data issues. Read more
New Last Glacial Maximum ice thickness constraints for the Weddell Sea Embayment, Antarctica The Cryosphere DOI 10.5194/tc-13-2935-2019 22 November 2019 We studied the history of ice masses at three locations in the Weddell Sea Embayment, Antarctica. We measured rare isotopes in material sourced from mountains overlooking the Slessor Glacier, Foundation Ice Stream, and smaller glaciers on the Lassiter Coast. We show that ice masses were between 385 and 800 m thicker during the last glacial cycle than they are at present. The ice masses were both hundreds of metres thicker and remained thicker closer to the present than was previously thought. Read more
Evaluating climate emulation: fundamental impulse testing of simple climate models Earth System Dynamics DOI 10.5194/esd-10-729-2019 22 November 2019 Simple climate models (SCMs) underlie many important scientific and decision-making endeavors. This illustrates the need for their use to be rooted in a clear understanding of their fundamental responses. In this study, we provide a comprehensive assessment of model performance by evaluating the fundamental responses of several SCMs. We find biases in some responses, which have implications for decision science. We conclude by recommending a standard set of validation tests for any SCM. Read more
Melt at grounding line controls observed and future retreat of Smith, Pope, and Kohler glaciers The Cryosphere DOI 10.5194/tc-13-2817-2019 15 November 2019 We used a number of computer simulations to understand the recent retreat of a rapidly changing group of glaciers in West Antarctica. We found that significant melt underneath the floating extensions of the glaciers, driven by relatively warm ocean water at depth, was likely needed to cause the large retreat that has been observed. If melt continues around current rates, retreat is likely to continue through the coming century and extend beyond the present-day drainage area of these glaciers. Read more
The first version of the Pan-European Indoor Radon Map Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/nhess-19-2451-2019 15 November 2019 The first version of the Pan-European Indoor Radon Map is presented in this article. The map has been developed using summary statistics estimated from 1.2 million samples. It represents an average radon concentration per 10 km x 10 km grid cell under the assumption that there are dwellings in the grid cell. It is a major contribution to the understanding of the exposure to ionizing radiation of Europeans and a first step towards a European radon exposure and, in the future, radon dose map. Read more
Seismic location and tracking of snow avalanches and slush flows on Mt. Fuji, Japan Earth Surface Dynamics DOI 10.5194/esurf-7-989-2019 15 November 2019 Avalanches and slush flows from Mt. Fuji are a major natural hazard as they may attain run-out distances of up to 4 km and destroy parts of the forest and infrastructure. We located and tracked them for the first time using seismic data. Numerical simulations were conducted to assess the precision of the seismic tracking. We also inferred dynamical properties characterizing these hazardous mass movements. This information is indispensable for assessing avalanche risk in the Mt. Fuji region. Read more
