Speaker: Dr Michael Haigh
Michael Haigh is an ice-ocean scientist in the Polar Oceans group at the British Antarctic Survey. He researches large-scale oceanography and the complex atmosphere-ice-ocean interactions that control melting of glacial ice in Antarctica. He has a particular focus on processes acting on decadal or centennial time scales, and understanding the contributions from human-induced climate change.
The ice sheet in West Antarctica is melting faster than anywhere else in the continent. The resulting meltwater is entering the ocean and is driving global sea-level rise. Melting of the ice is accelerating at an alarming rate, and could raise sea levels by several metres over the coming centuries. For these reasons, accurate predictions of the future of West Antarctica are critical in order for the UK to develop effective climate-change response strategies.
I will present the research of British Antarctic Survey scientists (BAS) into the multiple atmosphere, ice and ocean processes that control ice melting in West Antarctica. A particular focus of recent research is a deep ocean “undercurrent” that transports relatively warm ocean waters towards the vulnerable ice. I will discuss how the future of this undercurrent, including its interactions with the ice and atmosphere, will impact global sea levels and coastal communities.
11 Nov 2026
2:15 pm
Hybrid: via Zoom, and U3AC, Pink room (pre-booking required)