A one-dimensional model for the interaction between continental-scale ice sheets and atmospheric stationary waves

The great continental ice sheets of the Pleistocene represented a significa nt topographic obstacle to the westerly winds in northern midlatitudes. Thi s work explores how consequent changes in the atmospheric stationary wave p attern might have affected the shape and growth of the ice sheets themselve s. A one dimensional (1-D) model is developed which permits an examination of the types and magnitudes of the feedbacks that might be expected. When p lausible temperature perturbations are introduced at the ice-sheet margin w hich are proportional to the stationary wave amplitude. the equilibrium sha pe of the ice sheet is significantly altered, and depends on the sign of th e perturbation. The proposed feedback also affects the response of the ice sheet to time-varying climate forcing. The results suggest that the evoluti on of a continental-scale ice sheet with a land-based margin may be signifi cantly determined by the changes it induces in the atmospheric circulation.