Project description
Improving the accuracy of ice sheet prediction models
Predicting how climate change will continue to affect the stability and melting rate of glacial ice systems is a major challenge. Many complex processes must simultaneously be considered in prediction models. Calving (glacial splitting into icebergs), for example, is largely responsible for ice loss, yet it lacks efficient numerical models. To address this, the ERC-funded CALIX project aims to develop a robust numerical framework for calving processes based on bulk statistical properties. It will apply this framework to existing ice sheet models for testing against real-world observations. Then, the framework will be run in data ensembles to generate reliable projections of the Antarctic ice sheets’ contribution to rising sea levels.
Objective
Global sea levels will continue to rise as ice sheets shrink in response to climate change, but predictions vary widely on how much ice will be lost in different carbon futures. The single largest source of uncertainty is iceberg calving rates. Calving can cause more rapid ice loss than any other process, but no reliable method currently exists for representing calving in numerical models. CALIX seeks to find and apply the elusive universal calving law, by adopting a radical new approach based on the self-organising nature of glacier systems. The calving law will be formulated using bulk statistical properties of calving events, and will be rooted in both detailed observations and sound theory. The calving law will be implemented in leading ice-sheet models, throughly tested, and used in model run ensembles to determine the most-probable Antarctic Ice Sheet contribution to sea level into the 22nd Century under different mitigation and business-as-usual carbon scenarios. CALIX will address a major knowledge gap in glacier science, and will revolutionise our ability to understand ice-sheet stability, predict ice-sheet response to climate change and anticipate the global consequences.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2024-ADG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
KY16 9AJ ST ANDREWS
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.