How Do The Nonlinear Interactions Between The Antarctic Circumpolar Current And The Weddell Gyre Affect The Sensitivity Of The Larsen C Ice Shelf To Basal Melting, And Can These Interactions Be Accurately Captured Using A High-resolution Ocean-ice Model Assimilating Satellite-derived Sea Ice Concentration And Ocean Currents?

The nonlinear interactions between the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) and the Weddell Gyre significantly influence the sensitivity of the Larsen C ice shelf to basal melting. These interactions involve complex feedbacks where changes in one current can affect the other, thereby altering water temperatures and circulation patterns around Larsen C. This, in turn, impacts the basal melting by modulating the flow of warm water towards the ice shelf.

High-resolution ocean-ice models, especially those assimilating satellite-derived data such as sea ice concentration and ocean currents, are well-suited to capture these dynamics. Such models can better simulate small-scale processes, including eddies and heat transport, which are crucial for understanding the nonlinear interactions. However, challenges remain, such as fully representing all nonlinear effects and ensuring comprehensive data coverage, which could limit model accuracy despite their high resolution.

In conclusion, while high-resolution models offer significant advantages in capturing the complex interactions affecting Larsen C, ongoing improvements in model coupling and data assimilation are essential to enhance their accuracy further.