A framework for 3D dynamic modeling of mountain glaciers in the Community Ice Sheet Model

Abstract ID: 3.10252
| Accepted as Poster
| Abstract is registered
| 2025-09-17 15:00 - 15:02
Lipscomb, W. (1)
Minallah, S. (1); Leguy, G. (1); and Zekollari, H. (2)
(1) NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research, 1850 Table Mesa Drive, 80305 Boulder, US
(2) Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2 1050, Brussels, Belgium
How to cite: Lipscomb, W.; Minallah, S.; Leguy, G.; and Zekollari, H.: A framework for 3D dynamic modeling of mountain glaciers in the Community Ice Sheet Model, International Mountain Conference 2025, Innsbruck, Sep 14 - 18 2025, #IMC25-3.10252, 2025.
Categories: Cryo- & Hydrosphere
Keywords: Glacier modeling, Cryosphere modeling
Categories: Cryo- & Hydrosphere
Keywords: Glacier modeling, Cryosphere modeling
Abstract

It is essential to improve our understanding of mountain glaciers and their effects on sea level, ecosystems, and freshwater resources in a changing environment. To this end, we have implemented a framework for three-dimensional, high-resolution, regional-scale glacier simulations in the Community Ice Sheet Model (CISM v2.2), using higher-order ice-flow dynamics previously applied to the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets. Here, we present the modeling framework and its application to the European Alps glaciers at 100-meter resolution, using protocols from the third phase of the Glacier Model Intercomparison Project (GlacierMIP3). The model results align well with observations and other glacier models, showing that Alpine glaciers will lose nearly half of their present-day area and volume under current conditions, with a near-total ice loss expected in warmer scenarios. We will also show early results from glacier simulations in the Himalayas and the Karakoram. This new development integrates glacier and ice sheet systems in a common modeling framework and will support advances in coupled land ice–Earth system assessments across timescales in the Community Earth System Model (CESM).