scholarly journals New long-term mass-balance series for the Swiss Alps

2015 ◽  
Vol 61 (227) ◽  
pp. 551-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Huss ◽  
Laurie Dhulst ◽  
Andreas Bauder
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Spatial Interpolation ◽  
Swiss Alps ◽  
Continuous Series ◽  
European Alps ◽  
Ice Volume ◽  
Distributed Modelling ◽  
Direct Measurements ◽  
Annual Balance

AbstractIn this study we present 19 new or re-analysed series of glacier-wide seasonal mass balance for the Swiss Alps based on direct measurements. The records partly start around 1920 and continue until today. Previously unpublished and unevaluated observations of point winter and annual balance are compiled from various sources and archives. These highly valuable datasets have not yet been consistently evaluated and were thus unavailable to the scientific community. Using distributed modelling for spatial interpolation and extrapolation and homogenization of the point measurements, we infer continuous series of area-averaged mass balance. The results are validated against independent decadal ice volume changes from photogrammetric surveys. Six of the new seasonal series cover 60 years and more and add a substantial amount of information on the variations of regional glacier mass change. This will strengthen the worldwide collection of glacier monitoring data, especially for the data-sparse period before the 1980s. We compare our results to existing long-term series and present an updated assessment of mass-balance variability and glacier sensitivity throughout the European Alps.

scholarly journals Extrapolating glacier mass balance to the mountain-range scale: the European Alps 1900–2100

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 713-727 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Huss
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Volume Change ◽  
Data Series ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
European Alps ◽  
Ice Volume ◽  
Area Reduction

Abstract. This study addresses the extrapolation of in-situ glacier mass balance measurements to the mountain-range scale and aims at deriving time series of area-averaged mass balance and ice volume change for all glaciers in the European Alps for the period 1900–2100. Long-term mass balance series for 50 Swiss glaciers based on a combination of field data and modelling, and WGMS data for glaciers in Austria, France and Italy are used. A complete glacier inventory is available for the year 2003. Mass balance extrapolation is performed based on (1) arithmetic averaging, (2) glacier hypsometry, and (3) multiple regression. Given a sufficient number of data series, multiple regression with variables describing glacier geometry performs best in reproducing observed spatial mass balance variability. Future mass changes are calculated by driving a combined model for mass balance and glacier geometry with GCM ensembles based on four emission scenarios. Mean glacier mass balance in the European Alps is −0.31 ± 0.04 m w.e. a−1 in 1900–2011, and −1 m w.e. a−1 over the last decade. Total ice volume change since 1900 is −96 ± 13 km3; annual values vary between −5.9 km3 (1947) and +3.9 km3 (1977). Mean mass balances are expected to be around −1.3 m w.e. a−1 by 2050. Model results indicate a glacier area reduction of 4–18% relative to 2003 for the end of the 21st century.

scholarly journals Mass balance of Pizolgletscher

2010 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Huss
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Swiss Alps ◽  
Aerial Photographs ◽  
Balance Model ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Ice Volume ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
First Results ◽  
Data Points

Abstract. Half of the glaciers in the Swiss Alps are smaller than 0.1 km2. Despite this, the mass budget of small glaciers and their response to ongoing climate change is rarely studied. A new mass balance monitoring programme on Pizolgletscher (0.08 km2) in north-eastern Switzerland was started in 2006. This paper presents first results and describes a new approach to determining the mass balance of glaciers. Seasonal field observations are interpreted using a distributed mass balance model in daily resolution that allows spatial inter- and extrapolation of sparse data points and the calculation of mass balance over arbitrary time periods. Evaluation of aerial photographs acquired in subdecadal intervals since 1968 allows inclusion of data on changes in glacier area and ice volume, contributing towards a long-term reconstruction of Pizolgletscher's mass balance. The analysis revealed fast mass loss over the last three years with annual balances of -1.61 m w.e. in 2006/2007, -0.71 m w.e. in 2007/2008, and -1.46 m w.e. in 2008/2009 and high spatial variability of mass balance on Pizolgletscher.

scholarly journals Extrapolating glacier mass balance to the mountain range scale: the European Alps 1900–2100

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 1117-1156 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Huss
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Volume Change ◽  
Data Series ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
European Alps ◽  
Ice Volume ◽  
Area Reduction

Abstract. This study addresses the extrapolation of single glacier mass balance measurements to the mountain range scale and aims at deriving time series of area-averaged mass balance and ice volume change for all glaciers in the European Alps for the period 1900–2100. Long-term mass balance series for 50 Swiss glaciers based on a combination of field data and modelling, and WGMS data for glaciers in Austria, France and Italy are used. A complete glacier inventory is available for the year 2003. Mass balance extrapolation is performed based on (1) arithmetic averaging, (2) glacier hypsometry, and (3) multiple regression. Given a sufficient number of data series, multiple regression with variables describing glacier geometry performs best in reproducing observed spatial mass balance variability. Future mass changes are calculated by driving a combined model for mass balance and glacier geometry with GCM ensembles based on four emission scenarios. Mean glacier mass balance in the European Alps is −0.32 ± 0.04 m w.e. a−1 in 1900–2011, and −1 m w.e. a−1 over the last decade. Total ice volume change since 1900 is −100 ± 13 km3; annual values vary between −5.9 km3 (1947) and +3.9 km3 (1977). Mean mass balances are expected to be around −1.3 m w.e. a−1 by 2050. Model results indicate a glacier area reduction to 4–18% relative to 2003 for the end of the 21st century.

scholarly journals More than a century of direct glacier mass-balance observations on Claridenfirn, Switzerland

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Matthias Huss ◽  
Andreas Bauder ◽  
Andreas Linsbauer ◽  
Jeannette Gabbi ◽  
Giovanni Kappenberger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
European Alps ◽  
Mass Balances ◽  
Ice Volume ◽  
Direct Observations ◽  
Annual Scale ◽  
Long Term Variations ◽  
Frontal Ablation

Abstract Glacier mass-balance observations at seasonal resolution have been performed since 1914 at two sites on Claridenfirn, Switzerland. The measurements are the longest uninterrupted records of glacier mass balance worldwide. Here, we provide a complete re-analysis of the 106-year series (1914–2020), focusing on both point and glacier-wide mass balance. The approaches to evaluate and homogenize the direct observations are described in detail. Based on conservative assumptions, average uncertainties of $\pm$ 0.25 m w.e. are estimated for glacier-wide mass balances at the annual scale. It is demonstrated that long-term variations in mass balance are clearly driven by melting, whereas decadal changes in accumulation are uncorrelated with mass balance and can only be relevant in short periods. Mass change of Claridenfirn is impacted by dry calving at a frontal ice cliff. Considerations of ice volume flux at a cross-profile reveal long-term variations in frontal ice loss accounting for $\sim$ 9% of total annual ablation on average. The effect of changes in frontal ablation mostly explains $\lt$ 10% of the mass-balance difference relative to the period 1960–1990, but accounts for $\sim$ 20% in 2010–2020. Glacier mass changes are discussed in the context of observations throughout the European Alps indicating that Claridenfirn is regionally representative.

scholarly journals The impact of Saharan dust and black carbon on albedo and long-term glacier mass balance

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1133-1175 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Gabbi ◽  
M. Huss ◽  
A. Bauder ◽  
F. Cao ◽  
M. Schwikowski
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Black Carbon ◽  
Mineral Dust ◽  
Ice Cores ◽  
Swiss Alps ◽  
Saharan Dust ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Mass Balances ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Light-absorbing impurities in snow and ice control glacier melt as shortwave radiation represents the main component of the surface energy balance. Here, we investigate the long-term effect of snow impurities, i.e. Saharan dust and black carbon (BC), on albedo and glacier mass balance. The analysis was performed over the period 1914–2014 for two sites on Claridenfirn, Swiss Alps, where an outstanding 100 year record of seasonal mass balance measurements is available. Information on atmospheric deposition of mineral dust and BC over the last century was retrieved from two firn/ice cores of high-alpine sites. A combined mass balance and snow/firn layer model was employed to assess the dust/BC-albedo feedback. Compared to pure snow conditions, the presence of Saharan dust and BC lowered the mean annual albedo by 0.04–0.06 and increased melt by 15–19% on average depending on the location on the glacier. BC clearly dominated absorption which is about three times higher than that of mineral dust. The upper site has experienced mainly positive mass balances and impurity layers were continuously buried whereas at the lower site, surface albedo was more strongly influenced by re-exposure of dust-enriched layers due to frequent years with negative mass balances.

scholarly journals Surface elevation and mass changes of all Swiss glaciers 1980–2010

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 525-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Fischer ◽  
M. Huss ◽  
M. Hoelzle
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Accuracy Assessment ◽  
Swiss Alps ◽  
Surface Elevation ◽  
European Alps ◽  
Volume Changes ◽  
Glacier Inventory ◽  
Digital Elevation ◽  
Source Data ◽  
Geodetic Mass Balance

Abstract. Since the mid-1980s, glaciers in the European Alps have shown widespread and accelerating mass losses. This article presents glacier-specific changes in surface elevation, volume and mass balance for all glaciers in the Swiss Alps from 1980 to 2010. Together with glacier outlines from the 1973 inventory, the DHM25 Level 1 digital elevation models (DEMs) for which the source data over glacierized areas were acquired from 1961 to 1991 are compared to the swissALTI3D DEMs from 2008 to 2011 combined with the new Swiss Glacier Inventory SGI2010. Due to the significant differences in acquisition dates of the source data used, mass changes are temporally homogenized to directly compare individual glaciers or glacierized catchments. Along with an in-depth accuracy assessment, results are validated against volume changes from independent photogrammetrically derived DEMs of single glaciers. Observed volume changes are largest between 2700 and 2800 m a.s.l. and remarkable even above 3500 m a.s.l. The mean geodetic mass balance is −0.62 ± 0.07 m w.e. yr−1 for the entire Swiss Alps over the reference period 1980–2010. For the main hydrological catchments, it ranges from −0.52 to −1.07 m w.e. yr−1. The overall volume loss calculated from the DEM differencing is −22.51 ± 1.76 km3.

scholarly journals Decay of a long-term monitored glacier: Careser Glacier (Ortles-Cevedale, European Alps)

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 1819-1838 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Carturan ◽  
C. Baroni ◽  
M. Becker ◽  
A. Bellin ◽  
O. Cainelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Loss ◽  
Mass Balance ◽  
Mass Loss Rate ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
European Alps ◽  
Systematic Observation ◽  
Average Mass ◽  
Observation Series ◽  
The 19Th Century

Abstract. The continuation of valuable, long-term glacier observation series is threatened by the accelerated mass loss which currently affects a large portion of so-called "benchmark" glaciers. In this work we present the evolution of the Careser Glacier, from the beginning of systematic observation at the end of the 19th century to its current condition in 2012. In addition to having one of the longest and richest observation records among the Italian glaciers, Careser is unique in the Italian Alps for its 46 yr mass balance series that started in 1967. In the present study, variations in the length, area and volume of the glacier since 1897 are examined, updating and validating the series of direct mass balance observations and adding to the mass balance record into the past using the geodetic method. The glacier is currently strongly out of balance and in rapid decay; its average mass loss rate over the last 3 decades was 1.5 m water equivalent per year, increasing to 2.0 m water equivalent per year in the last decade. Although these rates are not representative at a regional scale, year-to-year variations in mass balance show an unexpected increase in correlation with other glaciers in the Alps, during the last 3 decades. If mass loss continues at this pace, the glacier will disappear within a few decades, putting an end to this unique observation series.

scholarly journals Minor Imbalance of the Lowermost Italian Glacier from 2006 to 2019

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2503
Author(s):  
Jessica De Marco ◽  
Luca Carturan ◽  
Livia Piermattei ◽  
Sara Cucchiaro ◽  
Daniele Moro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Climate Changes ◽  
Average Rate ◽  
European Alps ◽  
Surface Dynamics ◽  
Solid Precipitation ◽  
Airborne Laser ◽  
Geodetic Mass Balance ◽  
Annual Balance

The response of very small glaciers to climate changes is highly scattered and little known in comparison with larger ice bodies. In particular, small avalanche-fed and debris-covered glaciers lack mass balance series of sufficient length. In this paper we present 13 years of high-resolution observations over the Occidentale del Montasio Glacier, collected using Airborne Laser Scanning, Terrestrial Laser Scanning, and Structure from Motion Multi-View Stereo techniques for monitoring its geodetic mass balance and surface dynamics. The results have been analyzed jointly with meteorological variables, and compared to a sample of “reference” glaciers for the European Alps. From 2006 to 2019 the mass balance showed high interannual variability and an average rate much closer to zero than the average of the Alpine reference glaciers (−0.09 vs. −1.42 m water equivalent per year, respectively). This behavior can be explained by the high correlation between annual balance and solid precipitation, which displayed recent peaks. The air temperature is not significantly correlated with the mass balance, which is main controlled by avalanche activity, shadowing and debris cover. However, its rapid increase is progressively reducing the fraction of solid precipitation, and increasing the length of the ablation season.

scholarly journals Modeling the evolution of the Juneau Icefield between 1971 and 2100 using the Parallel Ice Sheet Model (PISM)

2016 ◽  
Vol 62 (231) ◽  
pp. 199-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
FLORIAN A. ZIEMEN ◽  
REGINE HOCK ◽  
ANDY ASCHWANDEN ◽  
CONSTANTINE KHROULEV ◽  
CHRISTIAN KIENHOLZ ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Spatial Interpolation ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Weather Research And Forecasting ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Surface Mass Balance ◽  
Surface Mass ◽  
Orographic Effects ◽  
Ice Volume ◽  
Good Agreement

ABSTRACTWe study the evolution of the Juneau Icefield, one of the largest icefields in North America (>3700 km2), using the Parallel Ice Sheet Model (PISM). We test two climate datasets: 20 km Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF) output, and data from the Scenarios Network for Alaska Planning (SNAP), derived from spatial interpolation of observations. Good agreement between simulated and observed surface mass balance was achieved only after substantially adjusting WRF precipitation to account for unresolved orographic effects, while SNAP's climate pattern is incompatible with observations of surface mass balance. Using the WRF data forced with the RCP6.0 emission scenario, the model projects a decrease in ice volume by 58–68% and a 57–63% area loss by 2099 compared with 2010. If the modeled 2070–99 climate is held constant beyond 2099, the icefield is eliminated by 2200. With constant 1971–2010 climate, the icefield stabilizes at 86% of its present-day volume. Experiments started from an ice-free state indicate that steady-state volumes are largely independent of the initial ice volume when forced by identical scenarios of climate stabilization. Despite large projected volume losses, the complex high-mountain topography makes the Juneau Icefield less susceptible to climate warming than low-lying Alaskan icefields.

scholarly journals Simulation of high mountainous discharge: how much information do we need?

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 8661-8702 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Schaefli ◽  
M. Huss
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Snow Accumulation ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
Lumped Model ◽  
Temperature And Precipitation ◽  
Mountainous Catchments ◽  
Annual Balance

Abstract. The hydrologic cycle of high mountainous catchments is frequently simulated with simple precipitation-discharge models representing the snow accumulation and ablation behavior of a very complex environment with a set of lumped equations accounting for altitudinal temperature and precipitation gradients. In this study, we present a methodology to include sparse snow depths measurements into the calibration process. Based on this methodology, we assess for a case study, the Rhonegletscher catchment (Switzerland), how much observed information we need to reliably calibrate the model, such that it reproduces the dominant system dynamics, discharge, as well as glacier mass balance. Here, we focus on the question whether observed discharge is sufficient as a calibration variable or whether we need annual or even seasonal glacier mass balance data. Introducing seasonally variable accumulation and ablation parameters is sufficient to enable the simple model to reproduce observed seasonal mass balances for the Rhonegletscher. Furthermore, our results suggest that calibrating the hydrological model exclusively on discharge can lead to wrong representations of the intra-annual accumulation and ablation processes and to a strong bias in long term glacier mass balance simulations. Adding only a few annual mass balance observations considerably reduces this bias. Calibrating exclusively on annual balance data can, in turn, lead to wrong seasonal mass balance simulations. Even if these results are case study specific, our conclusions provide valuable new insights into the benefit of different types of observations for calibrating hydrological models in glacier catchments. The presented multi-signal calibration framework and the simple method to calibrate a semi-lumped model on point observations has potential for application in other modeling contexts.

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