Journal articles on the topic 'Glacier mass balance estimation'
To see the other types of publications on this topic, follow the link: Glacier mass balance estimation.
Create a spot-on reference in APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and other styles
Consult the top 50 journal articles for your research on the topic 'Glacier mass balance estimation.'
Next to every source in the list of references, there is an 'Add to bibliography' button. Press on it, and we will generate automatically the bibliographic reference to the chosen work in the citation style you need: APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago, Vancouver, etc.
You can also download the full text of the academic publication as pdf and read online its abstract whenever available in the metadata.
Browse journal articles on a wide variety of disciplines and organise your bibliography correctly.
1
Braithwaite, R. J., and S. C. B. Raper. "Estimating equilibrium-line altitude (ELA) from glacier inventory data." Annals of Glaciology 50, no. 53 (2009): 127–32. http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/172756410790595930.
Full textAbstract:
AbstractA glacier’s most fundamental altitude is the equilibrium-line altitude (ELA) because it divides the glacier into ablation and accumulation areas. The best parameterization of the ELA for glacier inventory is the balanced-budget ELA. We discuss direct estimation of balanced-budget ELA from mass-balance data for individual glaciers, and indirect estimation of balanced-budget ELA from simple topographic parameters available from the World Glacier Inventory (WGI), i.e. the area-median and maximum and minimum altitudes. Mass balance and ELA for individual glaciers are usually strongly correlated and we calculate balanced-budget ELA from the regression equation linking the two. We then compare balanced-budget ELA with area-median and mid-range altitudes for the 94 glaciers for which we have all the necessary data. The different ELA estimates agree well enough (±82 to ±125 m) to describe geographical variations in ELA and for application of glacier–climate models to glacier inventory data. Mid-range and area-median altitudes are already available for tens of thousands of glaciers in the current WGI and should be evaluated in future inventories.
2
Zemp, M., E. Thibert, M. Huss, D. Stumm, C. Rolstad Denby, C. Nuth, S. U. Nussbaumer, et al. "Reanalysing glacier mass balance measurement series." Cryosphere 7, no. 4 (August 6, 2013): 1227–45. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/tc-7-1227-2013.
Full textAbstract:
Abstract. Glacier-wide mass balance has been measured for more than sixty years and is widely used as an indicator of climate change and to assess the glacier contribution to runoff and sea level rise. Until recently, comprehensive uncertainty assessments have rarely been carried out and mass balance data have often been applied using rough error estimation or without consideration of errors. In this study, we propose a framework for reanalysing glacier mass balance series that includes conceptual and statistical toolsets for assessment of random and systematic errors, as well as for validation and calibration (if necessary) of the glaciological with the geodetic balance results. We demonstrate the usefulness and limitations of the proposed scheme, drawing on an analysis that comprises over 50 recording periods for a dozen glaciers, and we make recommendations to investigators and users of glacier mass balance data. Reanalysing glacier mass balance series needs to become a standard procedure for every monitoring programme to improve data quality, including reliable uncertainty estimates.
3
Chernov, R. A., A. V. Kudikov, T. V. Vshivtseva, and N. I. Osokin. "Estimation of the surface ablation and mass balance of Eustre Grønfjordbreen (Spitsbergen)." Ice and Snow 59, no. 1 (March 20, 2019): 59–66. http://dx.doi.org/10.15356/2076-6734-2019-1-59-66.
Full textAbstract:
Due to climatic changes in Spitsbergen the glaciation of the Nordenskjold Land (West Spitsbergen) has significantly degraded over the past 100 years. Changes in glaciers are undoubtedly associated with intensive melting caused by a rise of summer air temperatures. Based on the results of field measurements of ablation on the East Grenford glacier, data on the ice reduction were obtained since 2004. Analysis of the results showed that magnitude of the surface ablation is in a good agreement with the values calculated by the Krenke–Hodakov formula, in which the argument is the average summer air temperature. The parabolic dependence of the Krenke-Hodakov formula with the exponent of 3.25 presented the best approximation to the field measurements for all high-altitude zones of the glacier with a correlation coefficient of 0.96. The calculated values of ablation of ice and snow were used to estimate the mass balance of the East Grenford glacier since 2004. The calculations were based on the following: measured values of jump in temperature at the boundary of the glacier, averaged values of the air temperature gradient, and averaged data on snow storage on the glacier. Data on the mass balance of the glacier is indicative of its shortening during the last decade, despite the interannual variations. In 2016, the glacier mass balance reached the lowest value equal to −1990 mm, the calculated value was equal to −1960 mm. Analysis of the data demonstrated that the average summer air temperature is the major factor affecting the glacier mass balance. These results may be useful for estimating melting and mass balance of a number of mountain glaciers of the Nordenskjold Land.
4
Schöner, Wolfgang, and Reinhard Böhm. "A statistical mass-balance model for reconstruction of LIA ice mass for glaciers in the European Alps." Annals of Glaciology 46 (2007): 161–69. http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/172756407782871639.
Full textAbstract:
AbstractStepwise linear regression models were calibrated against the measured mass balance of glaciers in the Austrian Alps for the prediction of specific annual net balance and summer balance from climatological and topographical input data. For estimation of winter mass balance, a simple ratio between the amount of winter precipitation and the measured winter balance was used. A ratio with a mean value of 2.0 and a standard deviation of 0.44 was derived from the sample of measured winter balances. Climate input data were taken from the HISTALP database which offers a homogenized data source that is outstanding in terms of its spatial and temporal coverage. Data from the Austrian glacier inventory were used as topographical input data. From the group of possible predictors summer air temperature, winter precipitation, summer snow precipitation and continentality (as defined from seasonal temperature variation) were selected as climatological driving forces in addition to lowest glacier elevation and area-weighted mean glacier elevation as topographical driving forces. Summer temperature explains 60% of the variance of summer mass balance and 39% of the variance of annual mass balance. Additional factors increase the explained variance by 22% for summer and 31% for annual net balance. The calibrated mass-balance model was used to reconstruct the mass balance of Hintereisferner and Vernagtferner back to 1800. Whereas the model performs well for Hintereisferner, it fails for some sub-periods for Vernagtferner due to the complicated flow dynamics of the glacier.
5
Zemp, M., E. Thibert, M. Huss, D. Stumm, C. Rolstad Denby, C. Nuth, S. U. Nussbaumer, et al. "Uncertainties and re-analysis of glacier mass balance measurements." Cryosphere Discussions 7, no. 2 (March 4, 2013): 789–839. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/tcd-7-789-2013.
Full textAbstract:
Abstract. Glacier-wide mass balance has been measured for more than sixty years and is widely used as an indicator of climate change and to assess the glacier contribution to runoff and sea level rise. Until present, comprehensive uncertainty assessments have rarely been carried out and mass balance data have often been applied using rough error estimation or without error considerations. In this study, we propose a framework for re-analyzing glacier mass balance series including conceptual and statistical toolsets for assessment of random and systematic errors as well as for validation and calibration (if necessary) of the glaciological with the geodetic balance results. We demonstrate the usefulness and limitations of the proposed scheme drawing on an analysis that comprises over 50 recording periods for a dozen glaciers and we make recommendations to investigators and users of glacier mass balance data. Reanalysis of glacier mass balance series needs to become a standard procedure for every monitoring programme to improve data quality and provide thorough uncertainty estimates.
6
Kuhn, Michael, Jakob Abermann, Michael Bacher, and Marc Olefs. "The transfer of mass-balance profiles to unmeasured glaciers." Annals of Glaciology 50, no. 50 (2009): 185–90. http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/172756409787769618.
Full textAbstract:
AbstractFor estimation of the mass balance of an unmeasured glacier, its area distribution with altitude, s (h), generally is the only available quantitative information. The appropriate specific balance profile, b (h), needs to be transferred from a measured glacier, where transfer means modification and adaptation to the topographic and climatic situation of the unmeasured glacier, such as altitude, exposure to sun and wind, or temperature. This study proposes the area median elevation, M, as a parameter of prime importance for the transfer. Using as an example ten Alpine glaciers, the similarity of M and equilibrium-line altitude is quantified and the effect of aspect and surrounding topography is qualitatively suggested. The transfer of b (h) between well-measured glaciers yielded differences in the mean specific balance of 150 mm in the mean of a 10 year period, which corresponds to a change in median altitude by 30 m. Transfer of b (h) with a shift according to median glacier elevation to a basin with 27 glaciers and 23 km2 ice cover agreed to within 10% with elevation changes converted from digital elevation models of 1969 and 1997.
7
Carturan, Luca, Federico Cazorzi, and Giancarlo Dalla Fontana. "Enhanced estimation of glacier mass balance in unsampled areas by means of topographic data." Annals of Glaciology 50, no. 50 (2009): 37–46. http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/172756409787769519.
Full textAbstract:
AbstractA new method was developed to estimate the mass balance in unsampled areas from existing datasets. Three years of mass-balance data from two glaciers in the central Italian Alps were used to develop and test a multiple-regression method based exclusively on a 10m resolution digital terrain model. The introduction of a relative elevation attribute, which expresses the degree of wind exposure of the gridcells, notably increased the amount of explainable variance in winter balance with respect to altitude itself. The summer balance is highly correlated with elevation, but, in order to obtain reliable extrapolations, the clear-sky shortwave radiation and the diurnal cloud-cover cycle had to be taken into account. The net annual mass balance on a glacier system comprising the two monitored glaciers was calculated by applying both a single regression of winter and summer balance with altitude and the new regression method. The consistency of results was assessed against measured net balances and snow-cover maps drawn in the ablation season. The results of the new method were in close agreement with observations and proved to be less sensitive to the spatial representation of the sampled areas.
8
Greene, Arthur M. "A time constant for hemispheric glacier mass balance." Journal of Glaciology 51, no. 174 (2005): 353–62. http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/172756505781829278.
Full textAbstract:
AbstractThe notion is developed of a mass-balance time constant applicable to the Northern Hemispheric glacier inventory taken as a whole. Ice dynamics are incorporated only implicitly in its estimation, which follows directly from a consideration of observed mass-balance and hemispheric temperature time series. While such a parameter must certainly be related to the rate at which glacier hypsometry adjusts to variations in climate, as are time constants derived via dynamic considerations, the parameter discussed herein differs with respect to its statistical character. For an ensemble of Northern Hemisphere glaciers a time-constant value on the order of a century is estimated. It is shown that such a value is consistent with the hemispheric near-equilibration of glaciers that prevailed around 1970. A ‘reference climate’ is defined, such that the mass balance in a given year is a function only of the difference between that year’s climate and the reference. This difference was small during the hemispheric near-equilibrium that prevailed around 1970, implying that the glacier wastage of the late 20th century is essentially a response to post-1970 warming. It is shown that precipitation fluctuations play a compensating role in the hemispheric net mass budget, in that they are strongly anticorrelated with fluctuations in temperature-induced melting. However, the contribution of precipitation does not override that of temperature, which remains the dominant influence on hemisphere-wide glacier fluctuations.
9
Zhu, Jingying, Chunqiao Song, Linghong Ke, Kai Liu, and Tan Chen. "Remote Sensing Investigation of the Offset Effect between Reservoir Impoundment and Glacier Meltwater Supply in Tibetan Highland Catchment." Water 13, no. 9 (May 7, 2021): 1307. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/w13091307.
Full textAbstract:
This article presents multi-source remote sensing measurements to quantify the water impoundment and regulation of the Zhikong Reservoir (ZKR) and Pangduo Reservoir (PDR), together with the estimation of the glacier mass balance to explore whether the increased glacier meltwater supply can buffer the influences of the reservoir impoundment to some degree in the Tibetan highland catchment. The ZKR and PDR are two reservoirs constructed on the upper Lhasa River that originate from the Nyainqentanglha glaciers in the remote headwater in the Tibetan Plateau (TP) and lacks historical in situ hydrological observations in the long term. Therefore, the Joint Research Center (JRC) Global Surface Water dataset (GSW), and the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) digital elevation model (DEM) data were used for estimating the total amount of water storage of the two reservoirs, and the SRTM and TanDEM-X DEMs were used for estimating the glacier mass balance. The result shows that the total amount of water impounded by reservoirs is 0.76 Gt, roughly 54% of their design capacities. The mass balance of the glaciers is estimated by comparing the elevation changes between the SRTM and TanDEM-X DEMs. The glaciers in this region melt at an average rate of 0.09 ± 0.02 Gt·year−1 from 2000 to circa 2013, and the impounded water of these reservoirs is comparable to the amount of glacier-fed meltwater in eight years.
10
Machguth, Horst, Frank Paul, Martin Hoelzle, and Wilfried Haeberli. "Distributed glacier mass-balance modelling as an important component of modern multi-level glacier monitoring." Annals of Glaciology 43 (2006): 335–43. http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/172756406781812285.
Full textAbstract:
AbstractModern concepts of worldwide glacier monitoring include numerical models for (1) interconnecting the different levels of observations (local mass balance, representative length change, glacier inventories for global coverage) and (2) extrapolations in space (coupling with climate models) and time (backward and forward). In this context, one important new tool is distributed mass-balance modelling in complex mountain topography. This approach builds on simplified energy-balance models and can be applied for investigating the spatio-temporal representativity of the few mass-balance measurements, for estimating balance values at the tongue of unmeasured glaciers in order to derive long-term average balance values from a great number of glaciers with known length change, and for assessing special effects such as the influence of Sahara dust falls on the albedo and mass balance or autocorrelation effects due to surface darkening of glaciers with strongly negative balances. Experience from first model runs in the Swiss Alps and from applications to the extreme conditions in summer 2003 provides evidence about the usefulness of this approach for glacier monitoring and analysis of glacier changes in high-mountain regions. The main difficulties concern the spatial variability of the input parameters (e.g. precipitation, snow cover and surface albedo) and the uncertainties in the parameterizations of the components of the energy balance. Field measurements remain essential to tie the models to real ground conditions.
11
Acharya, Anushilan, and Rijan Kayastha. "Mass and Energy Balance Estimation of Yala Glacier (2011–2017), Langtang Valley, Nepal." Water 11, no. 1 (December 20, 2018): 6. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/w11010006.
Full textAbstract:
Six-year glaciological mass balance measurements, conducted at the Yala Glacier between November 2011 and November 2017 are presented and analyzed. A physically-based surface energy balance model is used to simulate summer mass and energy balance of the Yala Glacier for the 2012–2014 period. Cumulative mass balance of the Yala Glacier for the 2011–2017 period was negative at −4.88 m w.e. The mean annual glacier-wide mass balance was −0.81 ± 0.27 m w.e. with a standard deviation of ±0.48 m w.e. The modelled mass balance values agreed well with observations. Modelling showed that net radiation was the primary energy source for the melting of the glacier followed by sensible heat and heat conduction fluxes. Sensitivity of mass balance to changes in temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, surface albedo and snow density were examined. Mass balance was found to be most sensitive to changes in temperature and precipitation.
12
Murray, Donald R. "Late Pleistocene Glacier Dynamics and Paleoclimate Of South-Western Montana and North-Eastern Idaho. U.S.A." Annals of Glaciology 14 (1990): 350. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0260305500009216.
Full textAbstract:
Reliable reconstructions of paleoglaciers using topographic maps and aerial photographs allow calculation of effective basal shear stresses along the longitudinal profiles of these glaciers. Glacial flow theory applied to these shear stresses provides an estimate of the component of mass flux due to internal deformation. Assuming basal slip to be zero at the point where deformation mass flux is a maximum, minimum average accumulation gradients (above the equilibrium-line altitude (ELA)) and ablation gradients (below the ELA) can be calculated and minimum mass flux at the ELA can be estimated using the continuity equation. Average net winter accumulation can also be calculated by dividing the mass flux at the ELA by the accumulation area. Because local climate controls the mass balance of a glacier, and therefore the accumulation and ablation gradients, this model provides information on the climatic setting of these paleoglaciers. This model also allows estimation of basal slip as a factor in point estimates of glacial flow. Application of the continuity model above and below the ELA generates additional estimates of mass flux at discrete points along the glacier. The difference between deformation mass flux and continuity flux at these points yields a first approximation of basal slip, which is highly variable along the glacier. The model was tested on the Big Timber glacier of west-central Montana and applied to several other late Pleistocene glaciers in the northern Rocky Mountains of south-western Montana and north-eastern Idaho. Low ablation gradients (<4.0 mm m-1) suggest a climate during the late Pleistocene comparable to the present-day climate of the Brooks Range in Alaska. Calculated average net winter accumulation for the area is well below modern values, again indicating that the climate was much drier during the full glacial period. Basal sliding accounts for most (>90%) of the glacial flow near the terminus of each glacier but is variable along the rest of the glacier. While the mass-balance values are minima, they are assumed to be reasonable approximations of the actual values unless very high basal slip rates occurred along the entire length of each glacier.
13
Zhang, Zhimin, Liming Jiang, Yafei Sun, Pascal Sirguey, Marie Dumont, Lin Liu, Ning Gao, and Songfeng Gao. "Reconstruction of Annual Glacier Mass Balance from Remote Sensing-Derived Average Glacier-Wide Albedo." Remote Sensing 15, no. 1 (December 21, 2022): 31. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/rs15010031.
Full textAbstract:
Annual mass balance is an important reflection of glacier status that is also very sensitive to climate fluctuations. However, there is no effective and universal albedo-based method for the reconstruction of annual mass balance due to the scarcity of field observations. Here, we present an improved albedo–mass balance (IAMB) method to estimate annual glacier surface mass balance series using remote sensing techniques. The averaged glacier-wide albedo derived with the MODImLab algorithm during the summer season provides an effective proxy of the annual mass change. Defined as the variation in the albedo as a function of elevation change, the altitude–albedo gradient (∂z/∂α) can be obtained from a glacier digital elevation model (DEM) and optical images. The Chhota Shigri glacier situated in the western Himalayas was selected to test and assess the accuracy of this method over the period from 2003 to 2014. Reconstructed annual mass budgets correlated well with those from the observed records, with an average difference and root mean square error (RMSE) of −0.75 mm w.e. a−1 and 274.91 mm w.e. a−1, respectively, indicating that the IAMB method holds promise for glacier mass change monitoring. This study provides a new technique for annual mass balance estimation that can be applied to glaciers with no or few mass balance observations.
14
Rasmussen, L. A. "South Cascade Glacier mass balance, 1935–2006." Annals of Glaciology 50, no. 50 (2009): 215–20. http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/172756409787769762.
Full textAbstract:
AbstractA simple model uses daily observations of precipitation and temperature at a nearby weather station to estimate glacier-average seasonal mass-balance components at South Cascade Glacier, Washington, USA, from 1935, 24 years before measurements began at the glacier. This is 13 years earlier than measurements that can be derived using the NCEP–NCAR reanalysis database (begins 1 January 1948). Although the model’s error in estimating winter balance and summer balance over 1959–2006 is greater than that of a model using the reanalysis database, its error in estimating net balance is comparable. The model uses an empirically determined precipitation ratio between the station and the glacier, and a seasonally varying temperature lapse rate determined from 9 years of measurements at the glacier. Temperature is used with a degree-day formulation to estimate ablation and to partition precipitation between rain and snow for estimating accumulation. Both processes are assumed to exist throughout the year, and model results are compared seasonally with adjusted observations of winter and summer balances. The published mass-balance series is adjusted to a constant-topography (1970) series in an attempt to remove the influence of changing topography on the glacier’s response to climate. The reconstructed values prior to 1959 are also with respect to the 1970 glacier topography. Because precipitation is measured at the weather station, rather than being inferred from other meteorological variables, it enables us to distinguish more accurately between wet-day and dry-day conditions, including vertical lapse rates of temperature.
15
Liu, Lin, Liming Jiang, Hansheng Wang, and Yafei Sun. "Existence of Glacier Anomaly in the Interior and Northern Tibetan Plateau between 2000 and 2012." Remote Sensing 14, no. 13 (June 21, 2022): 2962. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/rs14132962.
Full textAbstract:
There was sufficient evidence to indicate a nearly balanced glacier mass change (termed glacier anomaly) for Karakoram Mts. since the 1970s, in contrast to worldwide glacier mass losses caused by climate warming. Recently, this anomalous phenomenon was detected over the neighboring western Kunlun and Pamir Mts. However, the southeastern limit of this glacier anomaly remains uncertain, owing to the paucity of glacier mass balance observations across the interior and northern Tibetan Plateau (INTP). In this study, we presented a decadal glacier mass balance estimation in the INTP by differencing the SRTM DEM with the topographic data produced from TanDEM-X bistatic InSAR images. From 2000 to 2012, decade-average glacier mass balances of between −0.339 ± 0.040 and 0.237 ± 0.078 m w.e. yr−1 were detected over 22 glacierized areas. Significantly, we found a gradient and switch of glacier mass loss over the southeastern portion to glacier mass gain over the northwestern portion. This varying spatial pattern illustrates that glacier anomaly has existed over the northwestern or even central zone of the INTP since the early 21st century. This study provides important evidence for the model simulation of both glacier evolution and atmospheric circulations in investigating the prevailing mechanism of the regional anomalous phenomenon.
16
Thibert, E., and C. Vincent. "Best possible estimation of mass balance combining glaciological and geodetic methods." Annals of Glaciology 50, no. 50 (2009): 112–18. http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/172756409787769546.
Full textAbstract:
AbstractVariance analysis of the long time series of mass balances recorded on Glacier de Sarennes (45°07’ N, 6°07’ E) France, since 1949 shows that the variability can be separated linearly in two spatial and temporal terms. Annual balances deviate from their mean values over the period of record by an annual amount that is uniform over the glacier. Annual balances at each stake are therefore highly correlated, and sampling at a single site would be acceptable to record the annual deviation. A result of the linear character of the variance is the possibility of obtaining a systematic error-free estimate of the annual glacier-total budget by combining the mean annual balance obtained from photogrammetry and the annual deviation obtained from the variance analysis, rather than using the traditional area integration of balances at each stake.
17
Murray, Donald R. "Late Pleistocene Glacier Dynamics and Paleoclimate Of South-Western Montana and North-Eastern Idaho. U.S.A." Annals of Glaciology 14 (1990): 350. http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/s0260305500009216.
Full textAbstract:
Reliable reconstructions of paleoglaciers using topographic maps and aerial photographs allow calculation of effective basal shear stresses along the longitudinal profiles of these glaciers. Glacial flow theory applied to these shear stresses provides an estimate of the component of mass flux due to internal deformation. Assuming basal slip to be zero at the point where deformation mass flux is a maximum, minimum average accumulation gradients (above the equilibrium-line altitude (ELA)) and ablation gradients (below the ELA) can be calculated and minimum mass flux at the ELA can be estimated using the continuity equation. Average net winter accumulation can also be calculated by dividing the mass flux at the ELA by the accumulation area. Because local climate controls the mass balance of a glacier, and therefore the accumulation and ablation gradients, this model provides information on the climatic setting of these paleoglaciers.This model also allows estimation of basal slip as a factor in point estimates of glacial flow. Application of the continuity model above and below the ELA generates additional estimates of mass flux at discrete points along the glacier. The difference between deformation mass flux and continuity flux at these points yields a first approximation of basal slip, which is highly variable along the glacier.The model was tested on the Big Timber glacier of west-central Montana and applied to several other late Pleistocene glaciers in the northern Rocky Mountains of south-western Montana and north-eastern Idaho. Low ablation gradients (<4.0 mm m-1) suggest a climate during the late Pleistocene comparable to the present-day climate of the Brooks Range in Alaska. Calculated average net winter accumulation for the area is well below modern values, again indicating that the climate was much drier during the full glacial period. Basal sliding accounts for most (>90%) of the glacial flow near the terminus of each glacier but is variable along the rest of the glacier. While the mass-balance values are minima, they are assumed to be reasonable approximations of the actual values unless very high basal slip rates occurred along the entire length of each glacier.
18
Eidhammer, Trude, Adam Booth, Sven Decker, Lu Li, Michael Barlage, David Gochis, Roy Rasmussen, Kjetil Melvold, Atle Nesje, and Stefan Sobolowski. "Mass balance and hydrological modeling of the Hardangerjøkulen ice cap in south-central Norway." Hydrology and Earth System Sciences 25, no. 8 (August 3, 2021): 4275–97. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-4275-2021.
Full textAbstract:
Abstract. A detailed, physically based, one dimensional column snowpack model (Crocus) has been incorporated into the hydrological model, Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF)-Hydro, to allow for direct surface mass balance simulation of glaciers and subsequent modeling of meltwater discharge from glaciers. The new system (WRF-Hydro/Glacier) is only activated over a priori designated glacier areas. This glacier area is initialized with observed glacier thickness and assumed to be pure ice (with corresponding ice density). This allows for melting of the glacier to continue after all accumulated snow has melted. Furthermore, the simulation of surface albedo over the glacier is more realistic, as surface albedo is represented by snow, where there is accumulated snow, and glacier ice, when all accumulated snow is melted. To evaluate the WRF-Hydro/Glacier system over a glacier in southern Norway, WRF atmospheric model simulations were downscaled to 1 km grid spacing. This provided meteorological forcing data to the WRF-Hydro/Glacier system at 100 m grid spacing for surface and streamflow simulation. Evaluation of the WRF downscaling showed a good comparison with in situ meteorological observations for most of the simulation period. The WRF-Hydro/Glacier system reproduced the glacier surface winter/summer and net mass balance, snow depth, surface albedo and glacier runoff well compared to observations. The improved estimation of albedo has an appreciable impact on the discharge from the glacier during frequent precipitation periods. We have shown that the integrated snowpack system allows for improved glacier surface mass balance studies and hydrological studies.
19
Banerjee, A., and R. Shankar. "Estimating the avalanche contribution to the mass balance of debris covered glaciers." Cryosphere Discussions 8, no. 1 (January 23, 2014): 641–57. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/tcd-8-641-2014.
Full textAbstract:
Abstract. Avalanche from high head walls dominates the net accumulation in many debris covered glaciers in the Himalaya. These avalanche contributions are difficult to directly measure and may cause a systematic bias in glaciological mass balance measurements. In this paper we develop a method to estimate the avalanche contribution using available data, within the context of an idealised flowline model of the glacier. We focus on Hamtah glacier in Western Himalaya and estimate the magnitude of the avalanche accumulation to its specific mass balance profile. Our estimate explains the reported discrepancy between values of recent glaciological and geodetic net mass balance for this glacier. Model estimate of accumulation area ratio (AAR) for this glacier is small (0.1) even at a steady state. This shows that empirical mass balance–AAR relationships derived from glaciers which do not have a significant avalanche contribution will not apply to a large region containing a significant fraction avalanche fed ones.
20
Raper, S. C. B., O. Brown, and R. J. Braithwaite. "A geometric glacier model for sea-level change calculations." Journal of Glaciology 46, no. 154 (2000): 357–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/172756500781833034.
Full textAbstract:
AbstractTowards accounting for the dynamic response of glaciers and ice caps in the estimation of their contribution to sea-level rise due to global warming, a mass-balance degree-day model is coupled to a geometric glacier model. The ice dynamics are treated implicitly in the geometric model by using scaling parameters that have been extensively investigated in the literature. The model is tested by presenting a case-study of the glacier Hintereisferner, Austrian Alps. The results are compatible with geomorphological data and other modelling studies. An estimate is made of the volume decrease due to initial disequilibrium. An extensive sensitivity study using generalized glacier shapes and sizes allows a comparison of results with dynamic theory. According to the geometric model, glaciers with a narrowing channel change more with a change in mass balance than glaciers with a widening channel, due to their shape and the way in which that shape changes with a changing climate. Also their response time is longer. As time progresses after a mass-balance perturbation, the longer response time for continental glaciers compared to glaciers with larger mass turnover offsets the effect of their smaller static sensitivity. Thus, although for the next century we may expect greater changes in volume from alpine glaciers, the equilibrium or committed change is greater for the continental glaciers.
21
Wang, Yingzheng, Jia Li, Lixin Wu, Lei Guo, Jun Hu, and Xin Zhang. "Estimating the Changes in Glaciers and Glacial Lakes in the Xixabangma Massif, Central Himalayas, between 1974 and 2018 from Multisource Remote Sensing Data." Remote Sensing 13, no. 19 (September 29, 2021): 3903. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/rs13193903.
Full textAbstract:
The continuous melting of valley glaciers can impact the water levels of glacial lakes and create glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). The Xixabangma massif is one of the most populated areas in the Himalayas and has suffered from multiple GLOFs. To estimate the glacier melting rate in the past four decades and analyze the outburst risk of glacial lakes in the Xixabangma massif, we determined changes in glacier mass balance, glacier area and glacial lake area based on KH-9 images, TanDEM-X images, Landsat images, SRTM DEM and ICESat-2 elevations. Our results show that, from 1974 to 2018, the total glacier area shrank from 954.01 km2 to 752.46 km2, whereas the total glacial lake area grew from 20.90 km2 to 38.71 km2. From 1974 to 2000, 2000 to 2013 and 2013 to 2018, the region-wide glacier mass balance values were −0.16 m w.e./a, −0.31 m w.e./a and −0.29 m w.e./a, respectively. Three glacial lakes, named Gangxico, Galongco and Jialongco, respectively, expanded by 127.14%, 373.45% and 436.36% from 1974 to 2018, and the mass loss rates of their parent glaciers from 2000 to 2013 increased by 81.72%, 122.22% and 160.00% relative to those during 1974 to 2000. The dams of these three lakes are unstable, and their drainage valleys directly connect to a major town and its infrastructure. Due to current high-water levels, possible external events such as ice collapse, landslide, heavy rainfall and earthquakes can easily trigger GLOFs. Hence, we deemed that the Gangxico, Galongco and Jialongco glacial lakes are dangerous and require special attention.
22
Fieber, K. D., J. P. Mills, P. E. Miller, and A. J. Fox. "REMOTELY-SENSED GLACIER CHANGE ESTIMATION: A CASE STUDY AT LINDBLAD COVE, ANTARCTIC PENINSULA." ISPRS Annals of Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences III-8 (June 7, 2016): 71–78. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/isprsannals-iii-8-71-2016.
Full textAbstract:
This study builds on existing literature of glacier change estimation in polar regions and is a continuation of efforts aimed at unlocking the information encapsulated in archival aerial photography of Antarctic Peninsula glaciers. Historical aerial imagery acquired in 1957 over three marine-terminating glaciers at Lindblad Cove on the West Coast of Trinity Peninsula is processed to extract digital elevation models (DEMs) which are subsequently compared to DEMs generated from present day (2014) WorldView-2 satellite stereo-imagery. The new WorldView-2 images offer unprecedented sub-metre resolution of the Antarctic Peninsula and are explored here to facilitate improved registration and higher accuracy analysis of glacier changes. Unlike many studies, which focus on glacier fronts or only restricted regions of glaciers, this paper presents a complete coverage of elevation changes across the glacier surfaces for two of the studied glaciers. The study utilises a robust least squares matching technique to ensure precise registration of the archival and modern DEMs, which is applied due to lack of existing ground control in this remote region. This case study reveals that, while many glaciers in polar regions are reported as experiencing significant mass loss, some glaciers are stable or even demonstrate mass gain. All three glaciers reported here demonstrated overall mean increases in surface elevation, indicative of positive mass balance ranging from 0.6 to 5.8 metre water equivalent between 1957 and 2014.
23
Fieber, K. D., J. P. Mills, P. E. Miller, and A. J. Fox. "REMOTELY-SENSED GLACIER CHANGE ESTIMATION: A CASE STUDY AT LINDBLAD COVE, ANTARCTIC PENINSULA." ISPRS Annals of Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences III-8 (June 7, 2016): 71–78. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/isprs-annals-iii-8-71-2016.
Full textAbstract:
This study builds on existing literature of glacier change estimation in polar regions and is a continuation of efforts aimed at unlocking the information encapsulated in archival aerial photography of Antarctic Peninsula glaciers. Historical aerial imagery acquired in 1957 over three marine-terminating glaciers at Lindblad Cove on the West Coast of Trinity Peninsula is processed to extract digital elevation models (DEMs) which are subsequently compared to DEMs generated from present day (2014) WorldView-2 satellite stereo-imagery. The new WorldView-2 images offer unprecedented sub-metre resolution of the Antarctic Peninsula and are explored here to facilitate improved registration and higher accuracy analysis of glacier changes. Unlike many studies, which focus on glacier fronts or only restricted regions of glaciers, this paper presents a complete coverage of elevation changes across the glacier surfaces for two of the studied glaciers. The study utilises a robust least squares matching technique to ensure precise registration of the archival and modern DEMs, which is applied due to lack of existing ground control in this remote region. This case study reveals that, while many glaciers in polar regions are reported as experiencing significant mass loss, some glaciers are stable or even demonstrate mass gain. All three glaciers reported here demonstrated overall mean increases in surface elevation, indicative of positive mass balance ranging from 0.6 to 5.8 metre water equivalent between 1957 and 2014.
24
McGrath, Daniel, Louis Sass, Shad O'Neel, Chris McNeil, Salvatore G. Candela, Emily H. Baker, and Hans-Peter Marshall. "Interannual snow accumulation variability on glaciers derived from repeat, spatially extensive ground-penetrating radar surveys." Cryosphere 12, no. 11 (November 22, 2018): 3617–33. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-3617-2018.
Full textAbstract:
Abstract. There is significant uncertainty regarding the spatiotemporal distribution of seasonal snow on glaciers, despite being a fundamental component of glacier mass balance. To address this knowledge gap, we collected repeat, spatially extensive high-frequency ground-penetrating radar (GPR) observations on two glaciers in Alaska during the spring of 5 consecutive years. GPR measurements showed steep snow water equivalent (SWE) elevation gradients at both sites; continental Gulkana Glacier's SWE gradient averaged 115 mm 100 m−1 and maritime Wolverine Glacier's gradient averaged 440 mm 100 m−1 (over > 1000 m). We extrapolated GPR point observations across the glacier surface using terrain parameters derived from digital elevation models as predictor variables in two statistical models (stepwise multivariable linear regression and regression trees). Elevation and proxies for wind redistribution had the greatest explanatory power, and exhibited relatively time-constant coefficients over the study period. Both statistical models yielded comparable estimates of glacier-wide average SWE (1 % average difference at Gulkana, 4 % average difference at Wolverine), although the spatial distributions produced by the models diverged in unsampled regions of the glacier, particularly at Wolverine. In total, six different methods for estimating the glacier-wide winter balance average agreed within ±11 %. We assessed interannual variability in the spatial pattern of snow accumulation predicted by the statistical models using two quantitative metrics. Both glaciers exhibited a high degree of temporal stability, with ∼85 % of the glacier area experiencing less than 25 % normalized absolute variability over this 5-year interval. We found SWE at a sparse network (3 stakes per glacier) of long-term glaciological stake sites to be highly correlated with the GPR-derived glacier-wide average. We estimate that interannual variability in the spatial pattern of winter SWE accumulation is only a small component (4 %–10 % of glacier-wide average) of the total mass balance uncertainty and thus, our findings support the concept that sparse stake networks effectively measure interannual variability in winter balance on glaciers, rather than some temporally varying spatial pattern of snow accumulation.
25
Rasmussen, L. A., and H. Conway. "Estimating South Cascade Glacier (Washington, U.S.A.) mass balance from a distant radiosonde and comparison with Blue Glacier." Journal of Glaciology 47, no. 159 (2001): 579–88. http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/172756501781831873.
Full textAbstract:
AbstractA simple flux model using twice-daily measurements of wind, humidity and temperature from standard upper-air levels in a distant radiosonde estimated winter balance of South Cascade Glacier, Washington, U.S.A., over 1959–98 with error 0.24 m w.e. Correlation between net and winter balance is strong; the model estimates net balance with error 0.53 m w.e. Over the past 40 years, average net balance of South Cascade Glacier has been strongly negative (−0.46 m w.e.), and it has been shrinking steadily. In comparison, 200 km west-southwest at Blue Glacier, the average balance has been less negative (−0.13 m w.e); that glacier has undergone little change over the 40 years. Balance histories of the two glaciers are positively correlated (r = +0.54), and South Cascade has been more out of balance than Blue, presumably because it is still adjusting to climate change since the Little Ice Age. Recent warming and drying has made the net balance of both glaciers strongly negative since 1976 (−0.84 m w.e. at South Cascade, −0.56 m w.e. at Blue). If South Cascade Glacier were in balance with the 1986–98 climate, it would be about one-quarter of its present area.
26
Jacobsen, Frank M., and Wilfred H. Theakstone. "The use of planimetric surface area in glacier mass-balance calculations: a potential source of errors." Journal of Glaciology 41, no. 139 (1995): 441–44. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000034766.
Full textAbstract:
AbstractLarge errors in the estimation of glacier ablation and accumulation may arise from the uncritical use of planimetric surface areas in volume calculations based on specific point values. Three-dimensional digital terrain models of glacier surfaces show that the actual surface area is likely to be substantially larger than the planimetric area; with high-resolution digital terrain models, approximations of the true surface area may be as much as 20% larger. The errors are sufficient for questions to be raised about some calculations of water storage in glaciers, because incorrect surface-area values may result in ablation being underestimated substantially. Errors may also be introduced into calculations of radiation-energy inputs to a crevassed glacier surface.
27
Jacobsen, Frank M., and Wilfred H. Theakstone. "The use of planimetric surface area in glacier mass-balance calculations: a potential source of errors." Journal of Glaciology 41, no. 139 (1995): 441–44. http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/s0022143000034766.
Full textAbstract:
AbstractLarge errors in the estimation of glacier ablation and accumulation may arise from the uncritical use of planimetric surface areas in volume calculations based on specific point values. Three-dimensional digital terrain models of glacier surfaces show that the actual surface area is likely to be substantially larger than the planimetric area; with high-resolution digital terrain models, approximations of the true surface area may be as much as 20% larger. The errors are sufficient for questions to be raised about some calculations of water storage in glaciers, because incorrect surface-area values may result in ablation being underestimated substantially. Errors may also be introduced into calculations of radiation-energy inputs to a crevassed glacier surface.
28
Grabiec, Mariusz. "An estimation of snow accumulation on Svalbard glaciers on the basis of standard weather-station observations." Annals of Glaciology 42 (2005): 269–76. http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/172756405781812808.
Full textAbstract:
AbstractWinter precipitation in the form of snow is the major factor determining accumulation on Arctic glaciers. In this paper, I present a simple method to assess snow accumulation on the glaciers of Svalbard. I deduce snow accumulation from the sum of winter precipitation and the fraction of precipitation of different types at a reference weather station. The accumulation is then converted to a relevant point on the glacier, using an accumulation gradient and a location coefficient. I apply this algorithm of accumulation assessment to eight glaciers of southern and central Spitsbergen using data from 23 seasons. On the basis of measured accumulation data, the mean error of the calculated accumulation, with no distinction of precipitation types, amounted to 23%. When the distinction between precipitation types is used for glaciers of southern Spitsbergen, the average error of estimation was 19%. Errors result from factors influencing accumulation distribution over the glacier elevation profile (e.g. glacier topography, orography of its surroundings, precipitation inversion). Application of this accumulation algorithm may provide a crucial method of estimating mass balance for glaciers not included in permanent monitoring.
29
Alean, Jürg. "Ice Avalanche Activity and Mass Balance of a High-Altitude Hanging Glacier in the Swiss Alps." Annals of Glaciology 6 (1985): 248–49. http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/1985aog6-1-248-249.
Full textAbstract:
An estimation of average mass balance of a high hanging glacier in the Swiss Alps was made by measuring volumes of ice avalanches originating from this glacier. Ice avalanches are this glacier’s predominant form of ablation. Since the volume of the glacier has not noticeably changed over the past few years, the annual ice loss due to ice avalanches can be taken as an indication of average total net acumulation above the ice cliff where the avalanches originate. The mass balance value, as determined by recording ice avalanches, compares well with values obtained by independent methods (measurements of firn stratigraphy in the cliff, direct accumulation measurements in the vicinity). No seasonal variation in the frequency of ice avalanche occurence was detected.
30
Alean, Jürg. "Ice Avalanche Activity and Mass Balance of a High-Altitude Hanging Glacier in the Swiss Alps." Annals of Glaciology 6 (1985): 248–49. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s026030550001048x.
Full textAbstract:
An estimation of average mass balance of a high hanging glacier in the Swiss Alps was made by measuring volumes of ice avalanches originating from this glacier. Ice avalanches are this glacier’s predominant form of ablation. Since the volume of the glacier has not noticeably changed over the past few years, the annual ice loss due to ice avalanches can be taken as an indication of average total net acumulation above the ice cliff where the avalanches originate. The mass balance value, as determined by recording ice avalanches, compares well with values obtained by independent methods (measurements of firn stratigraphy in the cliff, direct accumulation measurements in the vicinity). No seasonal variation in the frequency of ice avalanche occurence was detected.
31
Gacitúa, Guisella, José A. Uribe, Ryan Wilson, Thomas Loriaux, Jorge Hernández, and Andrés Rivera. "50 MHz helicopter-borne radar data for determination of glacier thermal regime in the central Chilean Andes." Annals of Glaciology 56, no. 70 (2015): 193–201. http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/2015aog70a953.
Full textAbstract:
AbstractDespite their importance as freshwater reservoirs for downstream river systems, few glaciers in central Chile have been comprehensively surveyed. This study presents ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and field-based observations for characterizing the englacial and basal conditions of Glaciar Olivares Alfa (33°110 S, 70°130 W), central Chilean Andes. Using a 50 MHz radar mounted onto a helicopter platform, data were collected covering large portions of the glacier accumulation and ablation zones. The radar data revealed boundaries of a temperate-ice layer at the base of the eastern body of Glaciar Olivares Alfa which appears to be covered by colder ice that extends throughout large parts of the glacier. The thickness of the temperate ice layer is highly variable across the glacier, being on average 40% of the total ice thickness. Radar data analyses reveal regions of cold ice at the bottom/base of the glacier and also patterns of highly saturated sediments beneath the glacier. Using GPR data, this study represents the most exhaustive analysis of glacier ice structure performed in the central Chilean Andes. The results will enable improved estimations of the glacier’s mass balance and ice dynamics, helping us to understand its further development and its impact on water availability.
32
Krenke, A. N., and V. M. Menshutin. "Calculation of Mass Balance of Glaciers by Remote-Sensing Imagery using Similarity of Accumulation and Ablation Isoline Patterns (Abstract)." Annals of Glaciology 9 (1987): 239–40. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0260305500000756.
Full textAbstract:
A number of maps of component isolines of the Maruch Glacier’s (West Caucasus) mass balance compiled on the basis of field observations during 11 years were analyzed. The total balance of the glacier’s mass seems to be closely associated with the relationship between accumulation and ablation areas by years, while the total values of net accumulation and ablation are fully determined by the surface-area values of accumulation and ablation regions. The layer of residual snow in the nourishment area by the end of the ablation season and the layer of many-year ice melting in the discharge area changes from year to year against the points fixed in space, but their mean specific value according to the above glaciological areas remains constant from year to year. Using the results and the remote-sensing images, in which the many-year ice and the snow surplus are well distinguished, it is possible to estimate the areas of the ablation and accumulation regions for the studied glacier and then the mass balance, net accumulation, and, naturally, the run-off from the melting many-year ice. Estimation of the distribution within the glacier of not only “net” but also total values of accumulation and ablation is possible, if this distribution is similar from year to year, and if total values of accumulation and ablation are known at certain points. The multitude of points, for which total accumulation and ablation may be determined by remote-sensing images, is found on the equilibrium line or on the transient snow line of the glacier at any date during the ablation season. In the first instance, ablation and accumulation, the latter being here equal to the former by definition, may be calculated by the mean summer temperature of the air, extrapolated for the corresponding altitude against the nearest meteorological station. Secondly, ablation is calculated by the sum of positive temperatures of the air and by the temperature coefficient of snow melting, extrapolated for the altitude of the transient snow line. In order to check the hypothesis of the similarity of isoline systems for accumulation and ablation, all the final values for each year and measured at different points have been normalized according to their mean value for each year. The normalized maps turned out to be similar to each other. Using the regular net of points, we calculated the variation coefficient of normalized values. They were smaller by 0.20 for the whole area of the maps of normalized ablation and for the greater part of the map area of normalized accumulation. A map of mean normalized values was compiled for 11 years. The isoline "unit" on it coincided with the many-year firn line. With the help of this topological map, one can compile maps for distribution of ablation and accumulation on a glacier for any year or moment, for which there are data on the location of the nourishment line or snow line according to a remote-sensing image and for which air temperature at the altitude of these lines may be estimated. In conclusion, the degree of similarity of the maps of component isolines for the glacier mass balance between different glaciers of the same morphological type was analyzed. For this, we used normalization of not only the characteristics of the glaciers’ mass balances but also of morphological characteristics (altitudinal change, width, etc.). The results point to similarity of distribution of accumulation and ablation among glaciers. This will allow us to extrapolate the principal features of the isoline maps and the described methods of calculation from the studied glaciers to unexplored ones.
33
Haeberli, Wilfried, and Martin Hoelzle. "Application of inventory data for estimating characteristics of and regional climate-change effects on mountain glaciers: a pilot study with the European Alps." Annals of Glaciology 21 (1995): 206–12. http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/s0260305500015834.
Full textAbstract:
A parameterization scheme using simple algorithms for unmeasured glaciers is being applied to glacier inventory data to estimate the basic glaciological characteristics of the inventoried ice bodies and simulate potential climate-change effects on mountain glaciers. For past and potential climate scenarios, glacier changes for assumed mass-balance changes are calculated as step functions between steady-state conditions for time intervals that approximately correspond to the characteristic dynamic response time (a few decades) of the glaciers. In order to test the procedure, a pilot study was carried out in the European Alps where detailed glacier inventories had been compiled around the mid-1970s. Total glacier volume in the Alps is estimated at about 130 km3 for the mid-1970s; strongly negative mass balances are likely to have caused a loss of about 10–20% of this total volume during the decade 1980–90. Backward calculation of glacier-length changes using a mean annual mass balance of 0.25m w.e.a−1 since the end of the “Little Ice Age” around 1850 AD gives considerable scatter but satisfactory overall results as compared with long-term observations. The total loss of Alpine surface ice mass since 1850 can be estimated at about half the original value. An acceleration of this development, with annual mass losses of around 1 m a−1 or more as anticipated from IPCC scenario A for the coming century, could eliminate major parts of the presently existing Alpine ice volume within decades.
34
Haeberli, Wilfried, and Martin Hoelzle. "Application of inventory data for estimating characteristics of and regional climate-change effects on mountain glaciers: a pilot study with the European Alps." Annals of Glaciology 21 (1995): 206–12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0260305500015834.
Full textAbstract:
A parameterization scheme using simple algorithms for unmeasured glaciers is being applied to glacier inventory data to estimate the basic glaciological characteristics of the inventoried ice bodies and simulate potential climate-change effects on mountain glaciers. For past and potential climate scenarios, glacier changes for assumed mass-balance changes are calculated as step functions between steady-state conditions for time intervals that approximately correspond to the characteristic dynamic response time (a few decades) of the glaciers. In order to test the procedure, a pilot study was carried out in the European Alps where detailed glacier inventories had been compiled around the mid-1970s. Total glacier volume in the Alps is estimated at about 130 km3 for the mid-1970s; strongly negative mass balances are likely to have caused a loss of about 10–20% of this total volume during the decade 1980–90. Backward calculation of glacier-length changes using a mean annual mass balance of 0.25m w.e.a−1 since the end of the “Little Ice Age” around 1850 AD gives considerable scatter but satisfactory overall results as compared with long-term observations. The total loss of Alpine surface ice mass since 1850 can be estimated at about half the original value. An acceleration of this development, with annual mass losses of around 1 m a−1 or more as anticipated from IPCC scenario A for the coming century, could eliminate major parts of the presently existing Alpine ice volume within decades.
35
Bash, Eleanor A., and Shawn J. Marshall. "Estimation of glacial melt contributions to the Bow River, Alberta, Canada, using a radiation-temperature melt model." Annals of Glaciology 55, no. 66 (2014): 138–52. http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/2014aog66a226.
Full textAbstract:
AbstractAlberta’s Bow River has its headwaters in the glaciated eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies and is a major source of water in southern Alberta. Glacial retreat, declining snowpacks and increased water demand are all expected in the coming century, yet there are relatively few studies focusing on quantifying glacial meltwater in the Bow River. We develop a new radiation-temperature melt model for modelling distributed glacier mass balance and runoff in the Bow River basin. The model reflects physical processes through the incorporation of near-surface air temperature and absorbed radiation, while avoiding problems of collinearity through the use of a radiation-decorrelated temperature index. The model is calibrated at Haig Glacier in the southern portion of the basin and validated at Haig and Peyto Glaciers. Application of the model to the entire Bow River basin for 2000-09 shows glacier ice melt is equivalent to 3% of annual discharge in Calgary on average. Modelled ice melt in August is equal to 8-20% of the August Bow River discharge in Calgary. This emphasizes the importance of glacier runoff to late-summer streamflow in the region, particularly in warm, dry years.
36
Nuth, Christopher, Thomas Vikhamar Schuler, Jack Kohler, Bas Altena, and Jon Ove Hagen. "Estimating the long-term calving flux of Kronebreen, Svalbard, from geodetic elevation changes and mass-balance modeling." Journal of Glaciology 58, no. 207 (2012): 119–33. http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/2012jog11j036.
Full textAbstract:
AbstractThis study independently quantifies geodetic elevation change and models surface mass balance to solve the continuity equation. The approach is tested on two dynamically different glaciers, Kongsvegen and Kronebreen in northwest Svalbard, through two time epochs, 1966-1990/95 (I) and 1990/95-2007 (II). On Kongsvegen, a dynamically inactive glacier, the residual term represents an error associated with determining elevation changes and surface mass balance. It is apparent that centerline mass-balance estimates are not representative of the entire glacier, which we relate to center-line accumulation being larger than the elevation bin average. On Kronebreen, a fast-flowing and actively calving glacier, a significant part of the residual is identified with the long-term calving flux. For both glaciers, the cumulative surface mass balance remained close to zero during the first epoch but became increasingly negative in the second epoch. The long-term calving flux of Kronebreen is estimated to be -0.14 ± 0.03 km3 w.e.a-1 during epoch I and-0.20 ± 0.05 km3 w.e.a-1 in epoch II.
37
Tanguang, Gao, Kang Shichang, Lan Cuo, Zhang Tingjun, Zhang Guoshuai, Zhang Yulan, and Mika Sillanpää. "Simulation and analysis of glacier runoff and mass balance in the Nam Co basin, southern Tibetan Plateau." Journal of Glaciology 61, no. 227 (2015): 447–60. http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/2015jog14j170.
Full textAbstract:
AbstractRunoff estimation in high-altitude glacierized basins is an important issue on the Tibetan Plateau. To investigate glacier mass balance, runoff and water balance in the Qugaqie basin and Zhadang sub-basin in the southern Tibetan Plateau, two glacier models and three snow models were integrated into the spatially distributed hydrological model JAMS/J2K. The results showed that the temperature index method simulated glacier runoff better than the degree-day factor method. The simulated glacier melt volume in the Qugaqie basin in 2006, 2007 and 2008 contributed 58%, 50% and 41%, respectively, to its total runoff. In the Zhadang basin, the glacier melt volume contributed 78% and 66% to its runoff during 2007 and 2008, respectively. Compared with the observation results, the simulated glacier mass balance showed similar variations with slightly higher values, indicating an underestimation of glacier melt volume. The water balance simulation in the upstream areas (705–874 mm) was comparable to that in the downstream areas (1051–1502 mm) and generally lower than the observed results. In both basins, the glacier mass-balance simulation was relatively accurate in the melt season compared to the other seasons.
38
Elder, Kelly, Richard Kattelmann, Sergei N. Ushnurtsev, Yang Daqing, and Alexander Chichagov. "Differences in mass-balance calculations resulting from alternative sampling and estimation techniques on Glacier No. 1, Tien Shan, China." Annals of Glaciology 16 (1992): 198–206. http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/1992aog16-1-198-206.
Full textAbstract:
In May of 1990, three research groups from China, the Soviet Union and the United States visited Glacier No. 1 in the Ürümqi river basin, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, northwestern China, in a cooperative effort to examine differences in mass-balance calculations resulting from sampling and estimation procedures. Three different snow-depth data sets were collected consisting of: (1) high-resolution depth transects covering the glacier, (2) depths taken from the permanent stake network, and (3) an intermediate data set constructed using the stake network and supplementary depth data from locations not covered by the stake network. The glacier was divided into ten elevation zones and the data were registered to a digital elevation model for analysis. Results show that the permanent stake network provides an accurate estimate of total mass balance if certain techniques are used for extrapolation to higher elevations, although estimates of mass balance for particular regions of the glacier are not accurate. Some regions were overestimated while others were underestimated, leading to a good overall estimate. The intermediate-resolution data set provided better within-zone estimates of mass balance, but was less accurate than the stake network for total mass balance.
39
Elder, Kelly, Richard Kattelmann, Sergei N. Ushnurtsev, Yang Daqing, and Alexander Chichagov. "Differences in mass-balance calculations resulting from alternative sampling and estimation techniques on Glacier No. 1, Tien Shan, China." Annals of Glaciology 16 (1992): 198–206. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0260305500005073.
Full textAbstract:
In May of 1990, three research groups from China, the Soviet Union and the United States visited Glacier No. 1 in the Ürümqi river basin, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, northwestern China, in a cooperative effort to examine differences in mass-balance calculations resulting from sampling and estimation procedures. Three different snow-depth data sets were collected consisting of: (1) high-resolution depth transects covering the glacier, (2) depths taken from the permanent stake network, and (3) an intermediate data set constructed using the stake network and supplementary depth data from locations not covered by the stake network. The glacier was divided into ten elevation zones and the data were registered to a digital elevation model for analysis. Results show that the permanent stake network provides an accurate estimate of total mass balance if certain techniques are used for extrapolation to higher elevations, although estimates of mass balance for particular regions of the glacier are not accurate. Some regions were overestimated while others were underestimated, leading to a good overall estimate. The intermediate-resolution data set provided better within-zone estimates of mass balance, but was less accurate than the stake network for total mass balance.
40
PULWICKI, ALEXANDRA, GWENN E. FLOWERS, VALENTINA RADIĆ, and DEREK BINGHAM. "Estimating winter balance and its uncertainty from direct measurements of snow depth and density on alpine glaciers." Journal of Glaciology 64, no. 247 (September 26, 2018): 781–95. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/jog.2018.68.
Full textAbstract:
ABSTRACTAccurately estimating winter surface mass balance on glaciers is central to assessing glacier health and predicting glacier run-off. However, measuring and modelling snow distribution is inherently difficult in mountainous terrain. Here, we explore rigorous statistical methods of estimating winter balance and its uncertainty from multiscale measurements of snow depth and density. In May 2016, we collected over 9000 manual measurements of snow depth across three glaciers in the St. Elias Mountains, Yukon, Canada. Linear regression, combined with cross-validation and Bayesian model averaging, as well as ordinary kriging are used to interpolate point-scale values to glacier-wide estimates of winter balance. Elevation and a wind-redistribution parameter exhibit the highest correlations with winter balance, but the relationship varies considerably between glaciers. A Monte Carlo analysis reveals that the interpolation itself introduces more uncertainty than the assignment of snow density or the representation of grid-scale variability. For our study glaciers, the winter balance uncertainty from all assessed sources ranges from 0.03 to 0.15 m w.e. (5–39%). Despite the challenges associated with estimating winter balance, our results are consistent with a regional-scale winter-balance gradient.
41
Trabant, D. C., and L. R. Mayo. "Estimation and Effects of Internal Accumulation on Five Glaciers in Alaska." Annals of Glaciology 6 (1985): 113–17. http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/1985aog6-1-113-117.
Full textAbstract:
Estimates of internal accumulation for five Alaskan glaciers in different climates suggests that internal accumulation occurs in glaciers throughout Alaska. A method of estimating the quantity of internal accumulation is based on the annual minimum temperature ?Γ the snow-firn interface. The consistency of the estimates suggests that valid approximations of internal accumulation can be made over large areas. The estimates have not been confirmed by measurements of mass change, but are believed to be accurate within 10 percent. Point balance quantities of internal accumulation range from 0.65 m a-1, which is 64% of the annual accumulation on McCall Glacier, to 0.12 m a-1, 7% of the annual accumulation on Wolverine Glacier. The amount of internal accumulation decreases rapidly from north to south in Alaska; however it should be expected worldwide where sub-freezing, porous firn is invaded by water.Internal accumulation occurs in temperate glaciers in strongly maritime climates as well as glaciers in cold continental climates where it delays the onset of runoff, accelerates the process of converting snow into glacier ice, and explains the occurrence of temperate glaciers in permafrost areas.
42
Trabant, D. C., and L. R. Mayo. "Estimation and Effects of Internal Accumulation on Five Glaciers in Alaska." Annals of Glaciology 6 (1985): 113–17. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0260305500010120.
Full textAbstract:
Estimates of internal accumulation for five Alaskan glaciers in different climates suggests that internal accumulation occurs in glaciers throughout Alaska. A method of estimating the quantity of internal accumulation is based on the annual minimum temperature ?Γ the snow-firn interface. The consistency of the estimates suggests that valid approximations of internal accumulation can be made over large areas. The estimates have not been confirmed by measurements of mass change, but are believed to be accurate within 10 percent. Point balance quantities of internal accumulation range from 0.65 m a-1, which is 64% of the annual accumulation on McCall Glacier, to 0.12 m a-1, 7% of the annual accumulation on Wolverine Glacier. The amount of internal accumulation decreases rapidly from north to south in Alaska; however it should be expected worldwide where sub-freezing, porous firn is invaded by water. Internal accumulation occurs in temperate glaciers in strongly maritime climates as well as glaciers in cold continental climates where it delays the onset of runoff, accelerates the process of converting snow into glacier ice, and explains the occurrence of temperate glaciers in permafrost areas.
43
Soruco, Alvaro, Christian Vincent, Antoine Rabatel, Bernard Francou, Emmanuel Thibert, Jean Emmanuel Sicart, and Thomas Condom. "Contribution of glacier runoff to water resources of La Paz city, Bolivia (16° S)." Annals of Glaciology 56, no. 70 (2015): 147–54. http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/2015aog70a001.
Full textAbstract:
AbstractThe supply of glacier water to La Paz city, Bolivia, between 1963 and 2006 was assessed at annual and seasonal timescales based on the mass-balance quantification of 70 glaciers located within the drainage basins of La Paz. Glaciers contributed ∼15% of water resources at an annual scale (14% in the wet season, 27% in the dry season). Uncertainties in our estimation are related to the assumed constant precipitation (∼0.5% for ice-free areas and up to 6.5% for glaciated areas), the constant runoff coefficient (∼1%), the surface areas of the glaciers and catchments (∼5%) and the mean mass-balance uncertainty of the 21 glaciers used to obtain the mass balance of the 70 glaciers (12% of the total discharge). Despite the loss of 50% of the glacierized area during the study period, runoff at La Paz did not change significantly, showing that increase in ice melt rates compensated for reduction in the surface area of the glaciers. In the future, assuming complete disappearance of the glaciers and no change in precipitation, runoff should diminish by ∼12% at an annual scale, 9% during the wet season and 24% during the dry season.
44
Zhang, Yanli, Xiang Qin, Xin Li, Jun Zhao, and Yushuo Liu. "Estimation of Shortwave Solar Radiation on Clear-Sky Days for a Valley Glacier with Sentinel-2 Time Series." Remote Sensing 12, no. 6 (March 13, 2020): 927. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/rs12060927.
Full textAbstract:
Downward surface shortwave radiation (DSSR) is the main energy source for most glacial melting, and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) data have been used extensively in the inversion of input parameters for estimating DSSR. However, for valley glaciers under complex climatic conditions, the values of MODIS atmospheric products, especially aerosol products, are often invalid, and TM images are always saturated with snow. Furthermore, an estimation model based on optical satellite images must simultaneously consider terrain and atmospheric effects and the transient nature of ice/snow albedo. Based on a high-resolution (12 m) digital elevation model (DEM), the newly launched Sentinel-2 satellites, rather than MODIS and TM, were used to provide input data for our published mountain radiation scheme in a valley glacier. Considering Laohugou Glacier No. 12 as the study area, 62 typical Sentinel-2 scenes were selected and spatiotemporal DSSR variations on the glacier surface were obtained with a 10 m spatial resolution during a mass-balance year from September 2017 to August 2018. Ground-based measurements on 52 clear-sky days were used for validation and the mean bias error (MBE = −16.0 W/m2) and root-mean-square difference (RMSD = 73.6 W/m2) were relatively low. The results confirm that DSSR is affected mainly by the solar zenith angle and atmospheric attenuation in flat areas of valley glaciers, while in areas with complex terrain, the DSSR received by the glacier surface is affected primarily by the terrain and ice/snow albedo, which exhibits very high spatial heterogeneity.
45
Carturan, L., F. Cazorzi, F. De Blasi, and G. Dalla Fontana. "Air temperature variability over three glaciers in the Ortles–Cevedale (Italian Alps): effects of glacier fragmentation, comparison of calculation methods, and impacts on mass balance modeling." Cryosphere 9, no. 3 (May 27, 2015): 1129–46. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-1129-2015.
Full textAbstract:
Abstract. Glacier mass balance models rely on accurate spatial calculation of input data, in particular air temperature. Lower temperatures (the so-called glacier cooling effect) and lower temperature variability (the so-called glacier damping effect) generally occur over glaciers compared to ambient conditions. These effects, which depend on the geometric characteristics of glaciers and display a high spatial and temporal variability, have been mostly investigated on medium to large glaciers so far, while observations on smaller ice bodies (< 0.5 km2) are scarce. Using a data set from eight on-glacier and four off-glacier weather stations, collected in the summers of 2010 and 2011, we analyzed the air temperature variability and wind regime over three different glaciers in the Ortles–Cevedale. The magnitude of the cooling effect and the occurrence of katabatic boundary layer (KBL) processes showed remarkable differences among the three ice bodies, suggesting the likely existence of important reinforcing mechanisms during glacier decay and fragmentation. The methods proposed by Greuell and Böhm (1998) and Shea and Moore (2010) for calculating on-glacier temperature from off-glacier data did not fully reproduce our observations. Among them, the more physically based procedure of Greuell and Böhm (1998) provided the best overall results where the KBL prevails, but it was not effective elsewhere (i.e., on smaller ice bodies and close to the glacier margins). The accuracy of air temperature estimations strongly impacted the results from a mass balance model which was applied to the three investigated glaciers. Most importantly, even small temperature deviations caused distortions in parameter calibration, thus compromising the model generalizability.
46
Carturan, L., F. Cazorzi, F. De Blasi, and G. Dalla Fontana. "Air temperature variability over three glaciers in the Ortles-Cevedale (Italian Alps): effects of glacier disintegration, intercomparison of calculation methods, and impacts on mass balance modeling." Cryosphere Discussions 8, no. 6 (December 15, 2014): 6147–92. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/tcd-8-6147-2014.
Full textAbstract:
Abstract. Glacier mass balance models rely on accurate spatial calculation of input data, in particular air temperature. Lower temperatures (the so-called glacier cooling effect), and lower temperature variability (the so-called glacier damping effect) generally occur over glaciers, compared to ambient conditions. These effects, which depend on the geometric characteristics of glaciers and display a high spatial and temporal variability, have been mostly investigated on medium- to large-size glaciers so far, while observations on smaller ice bodies are scarce. Using a dataset from 8 on-glacier and 4 off-glacier weather stations, collected in summer 2010 and 2011, we analyzed the air temperature variability and wind regime over three different glaciers in the Ortles-Cevedale. The magnitude of the cooling effect and the occurrence of katabatic boundary layer (KBL) processes showed remarkable differences among the three ice bodies, suggesting the likely existence of important reinforcing mechanisms during glacier decay and disintegration. None of the methods proposed in the literature for calculating on-glacier temperature from off-glacier data fully reproduced our observations. Among them, the more physically-based procedure of Greuell and Böhm (1998) provided the best overall results where the KBL prevail, but it was not effective elsewhere (i.e. on smaller ice bodies and close to the glacier margins). The accuracy of air temperature estimations strongly impacted the results from a mass balance model which was applied to the three investigated glaciers. Most importantly, even small temperature deviations caused distortions in parameter calibration, thus compromising the model generalizability.
47
Pálsson, Finnur, Sverrir Guðmundsson, Helgi Björnsson, Etienne Berthier, Eyjólfur Magnússon, Snævarr Guðmundsson, and Hannes H. Haraldsson. "Mass and volume changes of Langjökull ice cap, Iceland, ~1890 to 2009, deduced from old maps, satellite images and in situ mass balance measurements." Jökull 62, no. 1 (December 15, 2012): 81–96. http://dx.doi.org/10.33799/jokull2012.62.081.
Full textAbstract:
We describe the mass balance of Langjökull ice cap, Iceland, (∼920 km², ∼190 km³) during several time intervals of different climate conditions that span the 20th century until present. The elevation range of Langjökull is 460–1440 m a.s.l. with a zero mass balance equilibrium line altitude (ELA) of 1000 m (southern outlets). The mass balance of the ice cap has been observed in situ every year since 1996–1997 and also assessed from estimation of glacier volume changes by comparing series of elevation maps from: 1937, 1945–1946, 1986, 1997 and 2004. The glacier margin of the Little Ice Age maximum (LIA; ∼1890) was estimated from the location of end moraines. The difference between the 1997–2004 annnual specific net balance estimated by volume change and in situ measurements is negligible (∼5 cm w.e.). During the two warm periods 1936–1946 and 1997–2009 the mean mass balance was similar; -1.6 and −1.3 m w.e. yr$^{−1}$, respectively. The colder climate during 1946–1986 and cooler yet in 1986–1997 resulted in specific mass balance close to zero; −0.3 and −0.2 m w.e. yr$^{−1}$, respectively.
48
Casey, K. A., A. Kääb, and D. I. Benn. "Characterization of glacier debris cover via in situ and optical remote sensing methods: a case study in the Khumbu Himalaya, Nepal." Cryosphere Discussions 5, no. 1 (February 7, 2011): 499–564. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/tcd-5-499-2011.
Full textAbstract:
Abstract. Field spectrometry and physical samples of debris, snow and ice were collected from the ablation zones of Ngozumpa and Khumbu glaciers of the Khumbu Himalaya, Nepal in November and December 2009. Field acquired spectral reflectances and mineral and chemical composition of samples were used as ground truth for comparison with satellite optical remote sensing data. Supraglacial debris was characterized by several optical remote sensing methods, including hyperspectral reflectance analysis, multispectral band composites and indices, spectral angle relationships, thermal band temperature and emissivity analysis, as well as repeat image derived glacier velocity and theoretical supraglacial particle transport. Supraglacial mineral components were identified and mineral abundances were estimated on Khumbu Himalayan glaciers. Mass flux was estimated by false color composites and glacier velocity displacement fields. Supraglacial temperatures were compared with mineral abundances, implying potential parameters to estimate differential melt. Overall, glaciologic implications of debris cover characterizations are applicable to (1) glacier energy balance, (2) glacial kinematics and (3) mapping glacial extent. The methods presented can be used in synergy to improve supraglacial debris quantification and reduce errors associated with debris covered ice extent mapping, surface radiative properties, as well as debris covered ice mass flux and loss estimations.
49
Farinotti, Daniel, Matthias Huss, Andreas Bauder, Martin Funk, and Martin Truffer. "A method to estimate the ice volume and ice-thickness distribution of alpine glaciers." Journal of Glaciology 55, no. 191 (2009): 422–30. http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/002214309788816759.
Full textAbstract:
AbstractSound knowledge of the ice volume and ice-thickness distribution of a glacier is essential for many glaciological applications. However, direct measurements of ice thickness are laborious, not feasible everywhere and necessarily restricted to a small number of glaciers. In this paper, we present a method to estimate the ice-thickness distribution and the total ice volume of alpine glaciers. This method is based on glacier mass turnover and principles of ice-flow mechanics. The required input data are the glacier surface topography, the glacier outline and a set of borders delineating different ‘ice-flow catchments’. Three parameters describe the distribution of the ‘apparent mass balance’, which is defined as the difference between the glacier surface mass balance and the rate of ice-thickness change, and two parameters define the ice-flow dynamics. The method was developed and validated on four alpine glaciers located in Switzerland, for which the bedrock topography is partially known from radio-echo soundings. The ice thickness along 82 cross-profiles can be reproduced with an average deviation of about 25% between the calculated and the measured ice thickness. The cross-sectional areas differ by less than 20% on average. This shows the potential of the method for estimating the ice-thickness distribution of alpine glaciers without the use of direct measurements.
50
Dadic, Ruzica, Javier G. Corripio, and Paolo Burlando. "Mass-balance estimates for Haut Glacier d’Arolla, Switzerland, from 2000 to 2006 using DEMs and distributed mass-balance modeling." Annals of Glaciology 49 (2008): 22–26. http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/172756408787814816.
Full textAbstract:
AbstractA distributed mass-balance modeling approach is required to assess the impact of future climate scenarios on water availability in glaciated basins. Accurate estimation of water stored within the snow, firn and ice of such basins requires knowledge of the distributed snow and ice mass balance throughout the year. In this study, we estimate the annual mass balance and runoff for Haut Glacier d′Arolla, Switzerland, from 2000 to 2006. Our estimations are based on observed elevation changes from three digital elevation models (DEMs) derived from aerial photographs in September 1999 and 2005, and October 2006. In addition to these estimations, we implement a combined field observation and a distributed mass-balance modeling approach. An energy-balance model driven by meteorological variables from automatic weather stations inside the catchment area, including gravitational snow transport, is run for the period 2005–06. The model results are validated with direct snow water equivalent measurements as well as with runoff measurements. Combining the mass-balance measurements, energy-balance calculations and measured runoff, we estimate the contribution from ice melt to the runoff for this period to be 25–30%, the contribution from snowmelt 50–60% and the contribution from rain 15–25%. Our model results also show that the snow distribution affects both snow and ice melt. It is therefore important for water resources management to understand the distribution of snow in alpine catchments, as it seems to be the controlling factor for the timing of streamflow throughout the year as well as for the total availability of water.