The melting Greenland Ice Sheet is one of the major contributors to present-day global sea-level rise. However, its long-term evolution remains uncertain due to the complex interaction with the Earth's deforming crust, a process known as Glacial Isostatic Adjustment (GIA). To date, the influence of lateral variations in mantle properties on this interaction, and consequently on the evolution of the Greenland Ice Sheet, has not been investigated. In this thesis, an ice-sheet model is coupled to a three-dimensional solid Earth model to simulate the evolution of the Greenland Ice Sheet until the year 2500. The results show that bedrock uplift partially mitigates ice loss, reducing the projected contribution to global sea-level rise under a high-emissions scenario by approximately 4%. Although the three-dimensional Earth model produces substantial regional differences in bedrock uplift compared with simplified Earth models, its effect on the total contribution to global sea-level rise is limited. Incorporating GIA into projections of the Greenland Ice Sheet therefore remains essential for realistically simulating its long-term evolution, while complex three-dimensional Earth structures provide only limited added value over simplified GIA models for estimating the total sea-level contribution. ... Read more

Maintaining a high speed, secure and robust connection to the world is of paramount importance
in modern society. This proved especially true during a recent volcanic eruption in the small island nation of Tonga, where the only optical fibre line to the country was severed due to the cataclysm, completely disconnecting the island from the rest of the world. The lack of communication made the disaster relief to the eruption more complex. The Emergency Communications Node (ECN) can be deployed within 48 hours to enable alternative means of communication that replace damaged communication lines... ... Read more

Uncertainty in ice sheet modelling affects centennial and longer time-scale projections of the Greenland Ice Sheet's (GrIS) sea level contribution. One source of this uncertainty is the interaction between the ice sheet’s evolution and the Earth’s deformation in response to changes in the applied surface loading as the ice sheet waxes and wanes. Such deformation, Glacial Isostatic Adjustment (GIA), causes a vertical displacement of the ice sheet’s surface which affects temperature dependent precipitation and ice ablation. The significance of this feedback mechanism depends on the magnitude of GIA which is dependent on the mantle’s viscosity. Studies find that the sub-Greenland mantle viscosity varies in three dimensions which leads to a spatially varying rate of GIA. Results obtained with an ice sheet model coupled with an Earth model including 3D variations in sub-Greenland viscosity illustrate its significant effect on the GrIS’ modelled evolution by affecting both elevation-melt and elevation-precipitation feedback mechanisms. ... Read more

It has been over 50 years since man first set foot on the Moon and proved that mankind could extend its borders beyond Earth, and yet no permanent lunar outpost has been set yet. Similar to how the construction of larger ports allowed for the exploration of the New World in the Renaissance, human exploration of space requires infrastructure beyond that required for spaceships and launchers. As our only natural satellite, the Moon is the best choice for a permanent base, one that would be capable of refuelling interplanetary missions, providing plentiful resources for the needs of people on Earth, and giving opportunities for fundamental research... ... Read more