"Paleo-instability of polar ice caps at land-sea transition: a data-model approach" (PATATRA) UMR Geo-Ocean (Brest, France) and LSCE (Paris Saclay, France) PhD Funding: PPR 'Océan & Climat' (36 months; from october-november 2024)
Application deadline: July 31th
The melting of polar ice caps will cause sea level to rise by 0.6-1.1 m by 2100. This estimate is probably underestimated: paleo-sciences suggest that major instabilities (i.e. accelerated, large-scale melting) of marine ice margins, not yet observed in recent decades, are likely to occur in the near future. However, past instabilities and their associated forcings are still poorly constrained. In the present project (PATATRA), we propose an innovative approach combining marine geology (through the study of sedimentary cores) and 3D glaciological simulations to study past instabilities of the East Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS). The study will focus on the late deglaciation, when the East GrIS evolved from a 'marine' configuration (with ice largely overflowing the ocean) to a 'terrestrial' setting (as expected for the West Antarctic ice sheet in the future). The results will provide a better understanding of glacial instabilities, ultimately leading to improve sea-level rise projections and adaptation to ongoing climate change.All details about the project are available in the attached document (PATATRA.pdf).
For additional information please contact Dr Samuel Toucanne (
A complete (French) version of the project can be downloaded here:
https://filesender.renater.fr/?s=download&token=e0d535ac-7257-4bc9-aabd-e8cf86e3f9de