scholarly journals Origin of the outburst flood from Glacier de Tête Rousse in 1892 (Mont Blanc area, France)

2010 ◽  
Vol 56 (198) ◽  
pp. 688-698 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Vincent ◽  
S. Garambois ◽  
E. Thibert ◽  
E. Lefèbvre ◽  
E. Le Meur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Historical Data ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Outburst Flood ◽  
Positive Mass ◽  
Negative Mass ◽  
French Alps ◽  
Extensive Field ◽  
The Village

AbstractExtensive field measurements and historical data have been used to re-analyse the cause of the outburst flood from Glacier de Tête Rousse that devastated the village of Saint-Gervais–Le Fayet, French Alps in 1892, causing 175 fatalities. The origin of this disaster was the rupture of an intraglacial cavity in Glacier de Tête Rousse that released 200 000 m3 of water and ice. All previous studies have concluded that the intraglacial cavity was formed from a crevasse that was filled and enlarged by meltwater. The re-analysis presented here suggests that the reservoir of the upper cavity did not originate as an enlarging crevasse. The origin of the meltwater reservoir was more likely a supraglacial lake formed before 1878 during a period of negative mass balance. Following a period of positive mass balance after 1878, the lake was hidden until the outburst flood of 1892. This means that such hazards may be detected by checking regularly for the formation of a lake on the surface of the glacier before it is hidden.

scholarly journals Mass Balance of Four Cirque Glaciers in the Torngat Mountains of Northern Labrador, Canada

1986 ◽  
Vol 32 (111) ◽  
pp. 208-218
Author(s):  
Robert J. Rogerson
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Temporal Pattern ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Spatial Variations ◽  
Equilibrium Line ◽  
Positive Mass ◽  
Negative Mass ◽  
Equilibrium Line Altitude ◽  
Ice Surface ◽  
Debris Cover

AbstractThe net mass balance of four small cirque glaciers (0.7–1.4 km2) in the Torngat Mountains of northern Labrador was measured for 1981–84, allowing three complete mass-balance years to be calculated. The two largest glaciers experienced positive mass-balance conditions in 1982 while all the glaciers were negative in 1983. The temporal pattern relates directly to general climatic conditions, in particular winter snowfall. Spatial variations of mass balance on the glaciers are the result of several factors including altitude, extent of supraglacial debris cover, slope, proximity to side and backwalls of the enclosing cirque, and the height of the backwall above the ice surface. Abraham Glacier, the smallest studied and with consistently the largest negative mass balance (–1.28 m in 1983), re-advanced an average of 1.2 m each year between 1981 and 1984. Mean equilibrium-line altitude (ELA) for the four glaciers is 1050 m, varying substantially from one glacier to another (+240 to –140 m) and from year to year (+60 to –30 m).

scholarly journals Geodetic Mass Balances and Area Changes of Echaurren Norte Glacier (Central Andes, Chile) between 1955 and 2015

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 260 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Farías-Barahona ◽  
Sebastián Vivero ◽  
Gino Casassa ◽  
Marius Schaefer ◽  
Flavia Burger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Central Andes ◽  
Aerial Photographs ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Mass Balances ◽  
Positive Mass ◽  
Negative Mass ◽  
Digital Elevation ◽  
Elevation Changes ◽  
Monitoring Service

The Echaurren Norte Glacier is a reference glacier for the World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS) network and has the longest time series of glacier mass balance data in the Southern Hemisphere. The data has been obtained by the direct glaciological method since 1975. In this study, we calculated glacier area changes using satellite images and historical aerial photographs, as well as geodetic mass balances for different periods between 1955 and 2015 for the Echaurren Norte Glacier in the Central Andes of Chile. Over this period, this glacier lost 65% of its original area and disaggregated into two ice bodies in the late 1990s. The geodetic mass balances were calculated by differencing digital elevation models derived from several sources. The results indicated a mean cumulative glacier wide mass loss of −40.64 ± 5.19 m w.e. (−0.68 ± 0.09 m w.e. a−1). Within this overall downwasting trend, a positive mass balance of 0.54 ± 0.40 m w.e. a−1 was detected for the period 2000–2009. These estimates agree with the results obtained with the glaciological method during the same time span. Highly negative mass change rates were found from 2010 onwards, with −1.20 ± 0.09 m w.e. a−1 during an unprecedented drought in Central Andes of Chile. The observed area and the elevation changes indicate that the Echaurren Norte Glacier may disappear in the coming years if negative mass balance rates prevail.

scholarly journals Outburst flood hazard for glacier-dammed Lac de Rochemelon, France

2010 ◽  
Vol 56 (195) ◽  
pp. 91-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Vincent ◽  
S. Auclair ◽  
E. Le Meur
Keyword(s):  
Flood Hazard ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Drainage Channel ◽  
Temperature Model ◽  
Outburst Flood ◽  
Good Opportunity ◽  
Available Energy ◽  
Extensive Field ◽  
Energy Dissipated

AbstractSupraglacial Lac de Rochemelon was formed 50 years ago behind an ice dam and grew steadily until 2004. In October 2004, the volume of the lake reached 650 000 m3, bringing its surface within 0.2 m of the top of the ice dam. To eliminate the threat to towns located below in the event of an overflow, the lake was drained artificially in October 2004 and during the summer of 2005. Once the volume had been reduced to 250 000 m3 by siphoning, a channel was dug with explosives and the remaining water overflowed naturally. This offered a very good opportunity to investigate the breaching of an ice dam accompanied by thermal erosion of the drainage channel. Extensive field measurements were carried out during drainage. Analysis of the energy dissipated in the channel reveals that only half of the available energy was used for breach erosion. A numerical model was used to simulate the evolution of a number of variables during drainage and to study the sensitivity of discharge and ice erosion to different parameters, revealing a high sensitivity to water temperature. Model simulations indicate that natural drainage of this lake at the beginning of October 2004 would have led to a peak discharge of <6 m3 s−1.

scholarly journals Glaciological and volumetric mass-balance measurements: error analysis over 51 years for Glacier de Sarennes, French Alps

2008 ◽  
Vol 54 (186) ◽  
pp. 522-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Thibert ◽  
R. Blanc ◽  
C. Vincent ◽  
N. Eckert
Keyword(s):  
Error Analysis ◽  
Mass Balance ◽  
Field Data ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Systematic Errors ◽  
Volumetric Method ◽  
Test Field ◽  
Random Errors ◽  
French Alps ◽  
Aerial Photogrammetry

AbstractThe mass balance of Glacier de Sarennes, French Alps, has been measured since 1949, using the glaciological method based on core and ablation stake data, and area extrapolations, to find the overall glacier balance. The cumulative balance obtained in this way is very dependent on systematic errors that can increase linearly with the number, N, of measurement years, whereas random errors rise with . The volumetric-balance method based on aerial photogrammetry provides results whose errors do not depend on the number of years. This method was used to test field measurements for the period 1952–2003 and gives a mass balance of −32.30 ± 1.04 m w.e. compared to −34.89 ± 1.15 m w.e. based on field data. The discrepancy between the two methods is discussed on the basis of a careful error analysis. Moreover, the possibility of using the volumetric method to detect biases in field measurements is evaluated in terms of two types of errors. The number and locations of measurement sites required to account for all the spatial and temporal variabilities of the mass balance is discussed by variance analysis. Methodological implications and recommendations are presented to provide mass-balance measurements of the best possible accuracy.

scholarly journals Mass Balance of Four Cirque Glaciers in the Torngat Mountains of Northern Labrador, Canada

1986 ◽  
Vol 32 (111) ◽  
pp. 208-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Rogerson
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Temporal Pattern ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Spatial Variations ◽  
Equilibrium Line ◽  
Positive Mass ◽  
Negative Mass ◽  
Equilibrium Line Altitude ◽  
Ice Surface ◽  
Debris Cover

Abstract The net mass balance of four small cirque glaciers (0.7–1.4 km2) in the Torngat Mountains of northern Labrador was measured for 1981–84, allowing three complete mass-balance years to be calculated. The two largest glaciers experienced positive mass-balance conditions in 1982 while all the glaciers were negative in 1983. The temporal pattern relates directly to general climatic conditions, in particular winter snowfall. Spatial variations of mass balance on the glaciers are the result of several factors including altitude, extent of supraglacial debris cover, slope, proximity to side and backwalls of the enclosing cirque, and the height of the backwall above the ice surface. Abraham Glacier, the smallest studied and with consistently the largest negative mass balance (–1.28 m in 1983), re-advanced an average of 1.2 m each year between 1981 and 1984. Mean equilibrium-line altitude (ELA) for the four glaciers is 1050 m, varying substantially from one glacier to another (+240 to –140 m) and from year to year (+60 to –30 m).

scholarly journals Mass-balance studies on Siachen Glacier in the Nubra valley, Karakoram Himalaya, India

1999 ◽  
Vol 45 (149) ◽  
pp. 112-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Bhutiyani
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Terrain Analysis ◽  
Positive Mass ◽  
Negative Mass ◽  
Discharge Data ◽  
Rugged Terrain ◽  
Air Temperatures ◽  
The Mean ◽  
High Runoff ◽  
Good Agreement

AbstractThe hydrological method is used to compute the mass balance of Siachen Glacier in the Nubra Valley, Karakoram Himalaya, India. The method was chosen because of its suitability in rugged terrain. Analysis of precipitation data from the glacier as a function of altitude shows a power-law relationship. Accumulation estimates based on this relationship show good agreement with the recorded precipitation. The discharge data from the glacier show high runoff in the ablation seasons of 1986–87, 1987–88, 1989–90 and 1990–91. The mass-balance calculations for these years are negative, the lowest being in 1990–91 (–1084 mm). Positive mass balance in 1988–89 (+358 mm) is attributed to comparatively heavy winter snowfall amounts and comparatively low temperatures during the ablation season. Significantly lower runoff was measured during this season. Negative mass-balance values during 1989–90 and 1990–91 are a result of comparatively dry winters and comparatively warm ablation periods, with monthly mean air temperatures 1.4–5.1 °C higher at the beginning of the ablation season (June and July) than the mean of the last 5 years.

scholarly journals Mass-balance studies on Siachen Glacier in the Nubra valley, Karakoram Himalaya, India

1999 ◽  
Vol 45 (149) ◽  
pp. 112-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Bhutiyani
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Terrain Analysis ◽  
Positive Mass ◽  
Negative Mass ◽  
Discharge Data ◽  
Rugged Terrain ◽  
Air Temperatures ◽  
The Mean ◽  
High Runoff ◽  
Good Agreement

Abstract The hydrological method is used to compute the mass balance of Siachen Glacier in the Nubra Valley, Karakoram Himalaya, India. The method was chosen because of its suitability in rugged terrain. Analysis of precipitation data from the glacier as a function of altitude shows a power-law relationship. Accumulation estimates based on this relationship show good agreement with the recorded precipitation. The discharge data from the glacier show high runoff in the ablation seasons of 1986–87, 1987–88, 1989–90 and 1990–91. The mass-balance calculations for these years are negative, the lowest being in 1990–91 (–1084 mm). Positive mass balance in 1988–89 (+358 mm) is attributed to comparatively heavy winter snowfall amounts and comparatively low temperatures during the ablation season. Significantly lower runoff was measured during this season. Negative mass-balance values during 1989–90 and 1990–91 are a result of comparatively dry winters and comparatively warm ablation periods, with monthly mean air temperatures 1.4–5.1 °C higher at the beginning of the ablation season (June and July) than the mean of the last 5 years.

scholarly journals Forty Years of Mass-Balance Observations on Glacier de Sarennes, French Alps

1989 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 269-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
François Valla
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Rain Gauge ◽  
Meteorological Variables ◽  
French Alps ◽  
Precipitation And Temperature

Located south of Grenoble, in the French Alps, Glacier de Sarennes is a small cirque glacier whose mass balance has been measured since 1948. Field measurements are made after the accumulation period (from October to May) and during the ablation period (from June to September). The main variables for snow are depth, density, and water equivalent for accumulation, together with ice depth and water equivalent for ablation which are used to calculate mass balance and regime. We present an example of the data collected on the glacier during the 1986–87 season, the evolution of the mass balance during the summer of 1987, and the main variables followed during the 40 years of observation, 1948–88. Mass balance, accumulation, and ablation are directly related to precipitation and temperature. Glacier de Sarennes is a simple glacier which has no tongue and no ice movement, and is like a gigantic rain gauge. The evolution of its mass balance is simply related to the meteorological variables of the year. For more significant and complex glaciers, it is necessary to take account of past as well as present meteorological variables.

scholarly journals Forty Years of Mass-Balance Observations on Glacier de Sarennes, French Alps

1989 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 269-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
François Valla
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Rain Gauge ◽  
Meteorological Variables ◽  
French Alps ◽  
Precipitation And Temperature

Located south of Grenoble, in the French Alps, Glacier de Sarennes is a small cirque glacier whose mass balance has been measured since 1948.Field measurements are made after the accumulation period (from October to May) and during the ablation period (from June to September). The main variables for snow are depth, density, and water equivalent for accumulation, together with ice depth and water equivalent for ablation which are used to calculate mass balance and regime. We present an example of the data collected on the glacier during the 1986–87 season, the evolution of the mass balance during the summer of 1987, and the main variables followed during the 40 years of observation, 1948–88. Mass balance, accumulation, and ablation are directly related to precipitation and temperature. Glacier de Sarennes is a simple glacier which has no tongue and no ice movement, and is like a gigantic rain gauge. The evolution of its mass balance is simply related to the meteorological variables of the year. For more significant and complex glaciers, it is necessary to take account of past as well as present meteorological variables.

Field Measurements and Simulation of Nitrogen Fate under Citrus Production

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 498c-498
Author(s):  
A. Fares ◽  
A.K. Alva ◽  
S. Paramasivam
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Irrigation Scheduling ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Citrus Production

Water and nitrogen (N) are important inputs for most crop production. The main objectives of nitrogen best management practices (NBMP) are to improve N and water management to maximize the uptake efficiency and minimize the leaching losses. This require a complete understanding of fate of N and water mass balance within and below the root zone of the crop in question. The fate of nitrogen applied for citrus production in sandy soils (>95% sand) was simulated using a mathematical model LEACHM (Leaching Estimation And Chemistry Model). Nitrogen removal in harvested fruits and storage in the tree accounted the major portion of the applied N. Nitrogen volatilization mainly as ammonia and N leaching below the root zone were the next two major components of the N mass balance. A proper irrigation scheduling based on continuous monitoring of the soil water content in the rooting was used as a part of the NBMP. More than 50% of the total annual leached water below the root zone was predicted to occur in the the rainy season. Since this would contribute to nitrate leaching, it is recomended to avoid N application during the rainy season.

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