scholarly journals Glaciological Measurements and Mass Balances from Sperry Glacier, Montana, USA Years 2005–2015

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam M. Clark ◽  
Daniel B. Fagre ◽  
Erich H. Peitzsch ◽  
Blase A. Reardon ◽  
Joel T. Harper
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
The United States ◽  
United States Geological Survey ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Mass Balances ◽  
Glacier Surface ◽  
Entire Area ◽  
Surface Mass

Abstract. Glacier mass balance measurements help to provide an understanding of the behavior of glaciers and their response to local and regional climate influences. In 2005, the United States Geological Survey established a surface mass balance monitoring program on Sperry Glacier, Montana, USA. This program is the first quantitative study of mass changes of a glacier in this region and continues to the present. This paper describes the methods used during the first eleven years of measurements and reports the associated results. Between years 2005–2015, we estimate Sperry Glacier lost approximately 4.37 m of water equivalent averaged over its entire area. The mean winter, summer, and annual glacier-wide mass balances were 2.92 m per year, −3.41 m per year, and −0.40 m per year respectively. We derive these cumulative and mean results from an expansive dataset of snow depth, snow density, and ablation measurements taken at selected points on the glacier, the resultant mass balance point values for these measurement sites, and a time series of seasonal and annual glacier-wide mass balances for all eleven measurement years. We also provide measurements of total glacier surface and accumulation areas for select years. All data have been submitted to the World Glacier Monitoring Service and are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.5904/wgms-fog-2016-08. This foundational data enhances our basic understanding of mass balance of Sperry Glacier, and future work will focus on the processes that control accumulation and ablation patterns across the glacier.

scholarly journals Glaciological measurements and mass balances from Sperry Glacier, Montana, USA, years 2005–2015

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam M. Clark ◽  
Daniel B. Fagre ◽  
Erich H. Peitzsch ◽  
Blase A. Reardon ◽  
Joel T. Harper
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
The United States ◽  
Future Research ◽  
United States Geological Survey ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
Mass Balances ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Surface Mass

Abstract. Glacier mass balance measurements help to provide an understanding of the behavior of glaciers and their response to local and regional climate. In 2005 the United States Geological Survey established a surface mass balance monitoring program on Sperry Glacier, Montana, USA. This project is the first quantitative study of mass changes of a glacier in the US northern Rocky Mountains and continues to the present. The following paper describes the methods used during the first 11 years of measurements and reports the associated results. From 2005 to 2015, Sperry Glacier had a cumulative mean mass balance loss of 4.37 m w.e. (water equivalent). The mean winter, summer, and annual glacier-wide mass balances were 2.92, −3.41, and −0.40 m w.e. yr−1 respectively. We derive these cumulative and mean results from an expansive data set of snow depth, snow density, and ablation measurements taken at selected points on the glacier. These data allow for the determination of mass balance point values and a time series of seasonal and annual glacier-wide mass balances for all 11 measurement years. We also provide measurements of glacier extent and accumulation areas for select years. All data have been submitted to the World Glacier Monitoring Service and are available at doi:10.5904/wgms-fog-2016-08. This foundational work provides valuable insight about Sperry Glacier and supplies additional data to the worldwide record of glaciers measured using the glaciological method. Future research will focus on the processes that control accumulation and ablation patterns across the glacier. Also we plan to examine the uncertainties related to our methods and eventually quantify a more robust estimate of error associated with our results.

scholarly journals Reconstructing the annual mass balance of the Echaurren Norte glacier (Central Andes, 33.5° S) using local and regional hydroclimatic data

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 927-940 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariano H. Masiokas ◽  
Duncan A. Christie ◽  
Carlos Le Quesne ◽  
Pierre Pitte ◽  
Lucas Ruiz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Balance Model ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Monthly Precipitation ◽  
Mass Balances ◽  
Positive Mass ◽  
Glacier Surface ◽  
Surface Mass ◽  
The Andes

Abstract. Despite the great number and variety of glaciers in southern South America, in situ glacier mass-balance records are extremely scarce and glacier–climate relationships are still poorly understood in this region. Here we use the longest (>  35 years) and most complete in situ mass-balance record, available for the Echaurren Norte glacier (ECH) in the Andes at  ∼  33.5° S, to develop a minimal glacier surface mass-balance model that relies on nearby monthly precipitation and air temperature data as forcing. This basic model is able to explain 78 % of the variance in the annual glacier mass-balance record over the 1978–2013 calibration period. An attribution assessment identified precipitation variability as the dominant forcing modulating annual mass balances at ECH, with temperature variations likely playing a secondary role. A regionally averaged series of mean annual streamflow records from both sides of the Andes between  ∼  30 and 37° S is then used to estimate, through simple linear regression, this glacier's annual mass-balance variations since 1909. The reconstruction model captures 68 % of the observed glacier mass-balance variability and shows three periods of sustained positive mass balances embedded in an overall negative trend over the past 105 years. The three periods of sustained positive mass balances (centered in the 1920s–1930s, in the 1980s and in the first decade of the 21st century) coincide with several documented glacier advances in this region. Similar trends observed in other shorter glacier mass-balance series suggest that the Echaurren Norte glacier reconstruction is representative of larger-scale conditions and could be useful for more detailed glaciological, hydrological and climatological assessments in this portion of the Andes.

scholarly journals Long-range terrestrial laser scanning measurements of annual and intra-annual mass balances for Urumqi Glacier No. 1, eastern Tien Shan, China

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 2361-2383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunhai Xu ◽  
Zhongqin Li ◽  
Huilin Li ◽  
Feiteng Wang ◽  
Ping Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Long Range ◽  
Tien Shan ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Surface Mass Balance ◽  
Mass Balances ◽  
Surface Mass ◽  
Mass Conversion ◽  
Geodetic Mass Balance

Abstract. The direct glaciological method provides in situ observations of annual or seasonal surface mass balance, but can only be implemented through a succession of intensive in situ measurements of field networks of stakes and snow pits. This has contributed to glacier surface mass-balance measurements being sparse and often discontinuous in the Tien Shan. Nevertheless, long-term glacier mass-balance measurements are the basis for understanding climate–glacier interactions and projecting future water availability for glacierized catchments in the Tien Shan. Riegl VZ®-6000 long-range terrestrial laser scanner (TLS), typically using class 3B laser beams, is exceptionally well suited for repeated glacier mapping, and thus determination of annual and seasonal geodetic mass balance. This paper introduces the applied TLS for monitoring summer and annual surface elevation and geodetic mass changes of Urumqi Glacier No. 1 as well as delineating accurate glacier boundaries for 2 consecutive mass-balance years (2015–2017), and discusses the potential of such technology in glaciological applications. Three-dimensional changes of ice and firn–snow bodies and the corresponding densities were considered for the volume-to-mass conversion. The glacier showed pronounced thinning and mass loss for the four investigated periods; glacier-wide geodetic mass balance in the mass-balance year 2015–2016 was slightly more negative than in 2016–2017. Statistical comparison shows that agreement between the glaciological and geodetic mass balances can be considered satisfactory, indicating that the TLS system yields accurate results and has the potential to monitor remote and inaccessible glacier areas where no glaciological measurements are available as the vertical velocity component of the glacier is negligible. For wide applications of the TLS in glaciology, we should use stable scan positions and in-situ-measured densities of snow–firn to establish volume-to-mass conversion.

scholarly journals Local topography increasingly influences the mass balance of a retreating cirque glacier

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlyn Florentine ◽  
Joel Harper ◽  
Daniel Fagre ◽  
Johnnie Moore ◽  
Erich Peitzsch
Keyword(s):  
Mass Loss ◽  
Mass Balance ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Climate Variables ◽  
Climate Data ◽  
Local Effects ◽  
Surface Mass ◽  
Average Mass ◽  
Measured Mass

Abstract. Local topographically driven processes such as wind drifting, avalanching, and shading, are known to alter the relationship between the mass balance of small cirque glaciers and regional climate. Yet partitioning such local effects apart from regional climate influence has proven difficult, creating uncertainty in the climate representativeness of some glaciers. We address this problem for Sperry Glacier in Glacier National Park, USA using field-measured surface mass balance, geodetic constraints on mass balance, and regional climate data recorded at a network of meteorological stations. Geodetically derived mass changes between 1950–1960, 1960–2005, and 2005–2014 document average mass loss rates during each period at −0.22±0.12 m w.e. yr−1, −0.18±0.05 m w.e. yr−1, and −0.10±0.03 m w.e. yr−1. A correlation of field-measured mass balance and regional climate variables closely predicts the geodetically measured mass loss from 2005–2014. However, this correlation overestimates glacier mass balance for 1950–1960 by +1.18±0.92 m w.e. yr−1. This suggests that local effects, not represented in regional climate variables, have become a more dominant driver of the net mass balance as the glacier lost 0.50 km2 and retreated further into its cirque.

scholarly journals Local topography increasingly influences the mass balance of a retreating cirque glacier

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 2109-2122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlyn Florentine ◽  
Joel Harper ◽  
Daniel Fagre ◽  
Johnnie Moore ◽  
Erich Peitzsch
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Climate Variables ◽  
Climate Data ◽  
Local Effects ◽  
Surface Mass ◽  
Average Mass ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Measured Mass

Abstract. Local topographically driven processes – such as wind drifting, avalanching, and shading – are known to alter the relationship between the mass balance of small cirque glaciers and regional climate. Yet partitioning such local effects from regional climate influence has proven difficult, creating uncertainty in the climate representativeness of some glaciers. We address this problem for Sperry Glacier in Glacier National Park, USA, using field-measured surface mass balance, geodetic constraints on mass balance, and regional climate data recorded at a network of meteorological and snow stations. Geodetically derived mass changes during 1950–1960, 1960–2005, and 2005–2014 document average mass change rates during each period at −0.22 ± 0.12, −0.18 ± 0.05, and −0.10 ± 0.03 m w.e. yr−1, respectively. A correlation of field-measured mass balance and regional climate variables closely (i.e., within 0.08 m w.e. yr−1) predicts the geodetically measured mass loss from 2005 to 2014. However, this correlation overestimates glacier mass balance for 1950–1960 by +1.20 ± 0.95 m w.e. yr−1. Our analysis suggests that local effects, not represented in regional climate variables, have become a more dominant driver of the net mass balance as the glacier lost 0.50 km2 and retreated further into its cirque.

scholarly journals Glacier mass-balance fluctuations in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, USA

2007 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 291-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward G. Josberger ◽  
William R. Bidlake ◽  
Rod S. March ◽  
Ben W. Kennedy
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Pacific Northwest ◽  
The United States ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
United States Geological Survey ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Northeast Pacific ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Interannual Fluctuations ◽  
Northeast Pacific Ocean

AbstractThe more than 40 year record of net and seasonal mass-balance records from measurements made by the United States Geological Survey on South Cascade Glacier, Washington, and Wolverine and Gulkana Glaciers, Alaska, shows annual and interannual fluctuations that reflect changes in the controlling climatic conditions at regional and global scales. As the mass-balance record grows in length, it is revealing significant changes in previously described glacier mass-balance behavior, and both inter-glacier and glacier–climate relationships. South Cascade and Wolverine Glaciers are strongly affected by the warm and wet maritime climate of the northeast Pacific Ocean. Their net balances have generally been controlled by winter accumulation, with fluctuations that are strongly related to the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). Recently, warm dry summers have begun to dominate the net balance of the two maritime glaciers, with a weakening of the correlation between the winter balance fluctuations and the PDO. Non-synchronous periods of positive and negative net balance for each glacier prior to 1989 were followed by a 1989–2004 period of synchronous and almost exclusively negative net balances that averaged –0.8m for the three glaciers.

scholarly journals Snowdrift modelling for Vestfonna ice cap, north-eastern Svalbard

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 709-741 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Sauter ◽  
M. Möller ◽  
R. Finkelnburg ◽  
M. Grabiec ◽  
D. Scherer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Snow Accumulation ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Blowing Snow ◽  
Glacier Surface ◽  
Accumulation Pattern ◽  
Surface Mass ◽  
Ice Cap ◽  
Drifting Snow ◽  
Snow Mass

Abstract. The redistribution of snow by drifting and blowing snow frequently leads to an inhomogeneous snow mass distribution on larger ice caps. Together with the thermodynamic impact of drifting snow sublimation on the lower atmospheric boundary layer, these processes affect the glacier surface mass balance. This study provides a first quantification of snowdrift and sublimation of blowing and drifting snow on Vestfonna ice cap (Svalbard) by using the specifically designed "snow2blow" snowdrift model. The model is forced by atmospheric fields from the Weather Research and Forecasting model and resolves processes on a spatial resolution of 250 m. Comparison with radio-echo soudings and snow-pit measurements show that important local scale processes are resolved by the model and the overall snow accumulation pattern is reproduced. The findings indicate that there is a significant redistribution of snow mass from the interior of the ice cap to the surrounding areas and ice slopes. Drifting snow sublimation of suspended snow is found to be stronger during winter. It is concluded that both processes are strong enough to have a significant impact on glacier mass balance.

scholarly journals Snowdrift modelling for the Vestfonna ice cap, north-eastern Svalbard

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 1287-1301 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Sauter ◽  
M. Möller ◽  
R. Finkelnburg ◽  
M. Grabiec ◽  
D. Scherer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Snow Accumulation ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Blowing Snow ◽  
Glacier Surface ◽  
Accumulation Pattern ◽  
Surface Mass ◽  
Ice Cap ◽  
Drifting Snow ◽  
Snow Mass

Abstract. The redistribution of snow by drifting and blowing snow frequently leads to an inhomogeneous snow mass distribution on larger ice caps. Together with the thermodynamic impact of drifting snow sublimation on the lower atmospheric boundary layer, these processes affect the glacier surface mass balance. This study provides a first quantification of snowdrift and sublimation of blowing and drifting snow on the Vestfonna ice cap (Svalbard) by using the specifically designed snow2blow snowdrift model. The model is forced by atmospheric fields from the Polar Weather Research and Forecasting model and resolves processes on a spatial resolution of 250 m. The model is applied to the Vestfonna ice cap for the accumulation period 2008/2009. Comparison with radio-echo soundings and snow-pit measurements show that important local-scale processes are resolved by the model and the overall snow accumulation pattern is reproduced. The findings indicate that there is a significant redistribution of snow mass from the interior of the ice cap to the surrounding areas and ice slopes. Drifting snow sublimation of suspended snow is found to be stronger during spring. It is concluded that the redistribution process is strong enough to have a significant impact on glacier mass balance.

scholarly journals Towards understanding the pattern of glacier mass balances in High Mountain Asia using regional climatic modelling

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 3215-3234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Remco J. de Kok ◽  
Philip D. A. Kraaijenbrink ◽  
Obbe A. Tuinenburg ◽  
Pleun N. J. Bonekamp ◽  
Walter W. Immerzeel
Keyword(s):  
Global Warming ◽  
Mass Balance ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Irrigated Agriculture ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Mass Balances ◽  
Positive Mass ◽  
Climatic Forcing ◽  
Western Kunlun

Abstract. Glaciers in High Mountain Asia (HMA) provide an important water resource for communities downstream, and they are markedly impacted by global warming, yet there is a lack of understanding of the observed glacier mass balances and their spatial variability. In particular, the glaciers in the western Kunlun Shan and Karakoram (WKSK) ranges show neutral to positive mass balances despite global warming. Using models of the regional climate and glacier mass balance, we reproduce the observed patterns of glacier mass balance in High Mountain Asia of the last decades within uncertainties. We show that low temperature sensitivities of glaciers and an increase in snowfall, for a large part caused by increases in evapotranspiration from irrigated agriculture, result in positive mass balances in the WKSK. The pattern of mass balances in High Mountain Asia can thus be understood from the combination of changes in climatic forcing and glacier properties, with an important role for irrigated agriculture.

scholarly journals On the interest of positive degree day models for mass balance modeling in the inner tropics

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 2637-2684 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Maisincho ◽  
V. Favier ◽  
P. Wagnon ◽  
R. Basantes Serrano ◽  
B. Francou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Time Scale ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Shortwave Radiation ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Mass Balances ◽  
Glacier Surface ◽  
Degree Day ◽  
Positive Degree

Abstract. A positive degree-day (PDD) model was tested on Antizana Glacier 15α (0.28 km2; 0°28' S, 78°09' W) to assess to what extent this approach is suitable for studying glacier mass balance in the inner tropics. Cumulative positive temperatures were compared with field measurements of melting amount and with surface energy balance computations. A significant link was revealed when a distinction was made between the snow and ice comprising the glacier surface. Significant correlations allowed degree-day factors to be retrieved for snow, and clean and dirty ice. The relationship between melt amount and temperature was mainly explained by the role of net shortwave radiation in both melting and in the variations in the temperature of the surface layer. However, this relationship disappeared from June to October (Period 1), because high wind speeds and low humidity cause highly negative turbulent latent heat fluxes. However, this had little impact on the computed total amount of melting at the annual time scale because temperatures are low and melting is generally limited during Period 1. At the daily time scale, melting starts when daily temperature means are still negative, because around noon incoming shortwave radiation is very high, and compensates for energy losses when the air is cold. The PDD model was applied to the 2000–2008 period using meteorological inputs measured on the glacier foreland. Results were compared to the glacier-wide mass balances measured in the field and were good, even though the melting factor should be adapted to the glacier surface state and may vary with time. Finally, the model was forced with precipitation and temperature data from the remote Izobamba station and NCEP-NCAR reanalysis data, also giving good results and showing that temperature variations are homogenous at the regional scale, meaning glacier mass balances can be modelled over large areas.

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