Pierre Dutrieux received his Ph.D in Oceanography from the University of Hawaii in 2009. His PhD work investigated tropical ocean circulation and dynamics with a particular focus on meso-scale eddy variability. Since then he directed his attention to the interaction between the oceans and the polar ice sheets, first at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS, until 2015), at the Polar Science Center, APL-UW, at the LAmont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University and now back at BAS.
Using pioneering autonomous platforms (Autosub 3) to roam under at least 300 m thick ice for tens of kilometers, his research demonstrated that warm waters >3° above the in situ freezing point reaches the grounding line (where the ice sheet comes afloat and eventually extends into an ice shelf) of Pine Island Glacier, in West Antarctica. This water efficiently melts the ice shelf, reduces its buttressing effect on the flow of grounded ice into the ocean, and is now shown to be a key driver of a wide-spread glacial acceleration and retreat in the Amundsen Sea, West Antarctica, with important contributions to sea level rise, the freshwater budget of the Southern Ocean and possible impacts on the global thermohaline circulation and local primary production.
Using autonomous platforms, ship-borne ocean observations, ground-based and airborne radar observations, satellite observations and numerical modelling, Pierre further demonstrated that in this setting glacial melt is strongly modulated in time by remote climatic sources, and that the spatial distribution of melt is complex, varying at meters to kilometers scales, and carving and interacting with intriguing landscapes under the ice.

Developping new observational tools and integrating new understanding into predictive models, Pierre continues his work to shed light on the processes controlling the oceanic melting of glacial ice and its implications for the climate system.

A more complete set of publications is available via Google Scholar and ORCID

orcid.org/0000-0002-8066-934X

Publications from NERC Open Research Archive

• Jordan, T., Heywood, K., Wahlin, A., Hall, R., Muto, A., Dutrieux, P., Hogan, K., Girton, J., Alley, K., & Pettit, E. (2025). Updated gravity-derived bathymetry for the Thwaites, Crosson and Dotson ice shelves (2009-2022) (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/baef2e88-300f-42bc-8ccb-bfdff147a492

• Lowery, K., Holland, P., Dutrieux, P., Hogg, A., & Gourmelen, N. (2025). MITgcm Model Outputs for the ocean in Pine Island Bay between 2011 and 2021 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/cbc6eb20-de95-457d-9000-c78b0ae9ee51

• Lowery, K., Dutrieux, P., Holland, P., Hogg, A., Gourmelen, N., & Wallis, B. (2025). Digital Elevation Models and Basal Melt Maps of Pine Island Glacier Ice Shelf using CryoSat-2 Surface Elevation data, 2011-2023 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/d093b7b9-f590-48dd-8206-74d239cdbf30

1. Understanding Greenland’s changing ice

   GIANT is a pioneering science project that will test the potential for early warning of a critical climate tipping point.

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2. PRESCIENT

   PRESCIENT supports long-term, strategically important measurements and capabilities for the wider science community.

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3. Reducing uncertainty in sea-level predictions

   OCEAN:ICE studies how Antarctic ice and Southern Ocean processes drive sea-level rise and influence global climate, using new data and advanced ice–ocean–climate models.

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4. iSTAR-B Ocean circulation and melting beneath the ice shelves of the south-eastern Amundsen Sea

   iStar-B studies ocean circulation and melting beneath the ice shelves of the south-eastern Amundsen Sea

   Read more of: iSTAR-B Ocean circulation and melting beneath the ice shelves of the south-eastern Amundsen Sea

   

1. Extreme snowfall in West Antarctica driving sea-level rise

   A new study highlights how extreme snowfall events significantly alter the amount of ice lost by the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. A team of scientists from British Antarctic Survey, along […]

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2. Antarctic glacier is ripping apart at ice front, causing it to gain speed

    For decades, the ice shelf helping to hold back one of the fastest-moving glaciers in Antarctica – Pine Island Glacier in West Antarctica – has gradually thinned. Analysis of satellite […]

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3. New autonomous robotic for RRS Sir David Attenborough

   A new unmanned robotic vehicle on the RRS Sir David Attenborough will help scientists to understand the impact of glaciers on sea-level rise.

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4. Glaciers accelerate in the Getz region of West Antarctica

   Glaciers in West Antarctica are moving more quickly from land into the ocean, contributing to rising global sea levels. A 25-year record of satellite observations has been used to show […]

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5. NEWS STORY: Glacier thinning at point of no return

   Focus on Pine Island Glacier, Antarctica Pine Island Glacier, on the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) is the largest single contributor to sea-level rise in Antarctica.  The stability of the […]

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6. PRESS RELEASE: Pine Island Glacier and climatic variability

   Pine Island Glacier sensitive to climatic variability A new study published in Science this month suggests the thinning of Pine Island Glacier in West Antarctica is much more susceptible to […]

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7. PRESS RELEASE: Ridge contributes to melting

   New research sheds light on Antarctica”s melting Pine Island Glacier New results from an investigation into Antarctica’s potential contribution to sea level rise are reported this week (Sunday 20 June) […]

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