Courant Researchers Model Capsizing Icebergs
Researchers at NYU's Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences have discovered that icebergs capsize due to the unstable shapes they melt into, shedding light on the fluid dynamics behind the impact of global warming on major bodies of water.
A recent article published by the Courant researchers details their mathematical modeling of the hydrodynamics behind icebergs capsizing. The team found that when ice floats in water, the submerged portion melts faster than the top half due to water pressure and buoyancy, resulting in unusual shapes and capsizing.
"All we do is put a piece of ice in the tank and by itself, and it starts capsizing,"
said Alison Kim, a contributing researcher and fourth-year! Ph.D. The team prepared ice blocks as cylinders and placed them in room temperature water, observing the capsizing process.
- The capsizing of icebergs can have catastrophic consequences, including the potential to cause tsunamis and break up other icebergs.
Author's summary: Researchers model icebergs capsizing due to melting instability.