The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) and the World Climate Research Program (WCRP) are pleased to announce the kick-off workshop of the renewed Ice-Sheet Mass Balance and Sea Level (ISMASS) expert group.
WORKSHOP AIMS:
1)To assess the current knowledge of the contribution of the Antarctic and Greenland Ice Sheets to global and regional sea-level rise, taking into account ongoing and proposed projects including the ESA/NASA-supported Ice Sheet Mass Balance Inter-Comparison Exercise. The focus will be on quantifying the uncertainties, and understanding and resolving the current discrepancies among the estimates from different observational and modelling methods. New techniques will also be explored.
2)To analyze how model-based predictions of ice-sheet discharge contributions to sea-level changes can be improved. The emphasis will be on identifying the main shortcomings of the currently available models and suggesting improvements for the next generation of ice-sheet models. Particular attention will be given to the interactions of ice sheets and shelves with the oceans and the atmosphere.
3)To reach a consensus on the magnitude of the current contribution of ice-sheet surface mass balance and discharge to sea-level change, and disseminate this knowledge not only to other researchers, but to policymakers and the general public.
4)To analyze the feasibility of preparing updates of the estimates of the contribution of ice-sheet discharge to sea-level rise between successive IPCC reports (e.g. every two years).
5)To study the regional distribution of sea-level rise and its impacts on coastal areas.
6)To determine how the renewed SCAR-IASC joint expert group on Ice Sheet Mass Balance and Sea Level (ISMASS) should be organized to effectively meet the above objectives.