scholarly journals Meteorological drivers of ablation processes on a cold glacier in the semiarid Andes of Chile

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 1833-1870 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. MacDonell ◽  
C. Kinnard ◽  
T. Mölg ◽  
L. Nicholson ◽  
J. Abermann
Keyword(s):  
Austral Summer ◽  
Longwave Radiation ◽  
Shortwave Radiation ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Glacier Surface ◽  
Surface Mass ◽  
Strong Winds ◽  
Sublimation Rates ◽  
Energy Balances ◽  
Mass And Energy Balances

Abstract. Meteorological and surface change measurements collected during a 2.5 yr period are used to calculate surface mass and energy balances at 5324 m a.s.l. on Guanaco Glacier, a cold-based glacier in the semi-arid Andes of Chile. Meteorological conditions are marked by extremely low vapour pressures (annual mean of 1.1 hPa), strong winds (annual mean of 10 m s−1), high shortwave radiation receipt (mean annual 295 W m−2) and low precipitation rates (mean annual 45 mm w.e.). Net shortwave radiation provides the greatest source of energy to the glacier surface, and net longwave radiation dominates energy losses. The turbulent latent heat flux is always negative, which means that the surface is always losing mass via sublimation, which is the main form of ablation at the site. Sublimation rates are most strongly correlated with net shortwave radiation, incoming shortwave radiation, albedo and vapour pressure. Low glacier surface temperatures restrict melting for much of the period, however episodic melting occurs during the austral summer, when warm, humid, calm and high pressure conditions restrict sublimation and make more energy available for melting. Low accumulation (131 mm w.e. over the period) and relatively high ablation (1435 mm w.e.) means that mass change over the period was negative (−1304 mm w.e.), which continued the negative trend recorded in the region over the last few decades.

scholarly journals Meteorological drivers of ablation processes on a cold glacier in the semi-arid Andes of Chile

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 1513-1526 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. MacDonell ◽  
C. Kinnard ◽  
T. Mölg ◽  
L. Nicholson ◽  
J. Abermann
Keyword(s):  
Austral Summer ◽  
Longwave Radiation ◽  
Shortwave Radiation ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Glacier Surface ◽  
Surface Mass ◽  
Convective Storms ◽  
Strong Winds ◽  
Sublimation Rates ◽  
Semi Arid

Abstract. Meteorological and surface change measurements collected during a 2.5 yr period are used to calculate surface mass and energy balances at 5324 m a.s.l. on Guanaco Glacier, a cold-based glacier in the semi-arid Andes of Chile. Meteorological conditions are marked by extremely low vapour pressures (annual mean of 1.1 hPa), strong winds (annual mean of 10 m s−1), shortwave radiation receipt persistently close to the theoretical site maximum during cloud-free days (mean annual 295 W m−2; summer hourly maximum 1354 W m−2) and low precipitation rates (mean annual 45 mm w.e.). Snowfall occurs sporadically throughout the year and is related to frontal events in the winter and convective storms during the summer months. Net shortwave radiation provides the greatest source of energy to the glacier surface, and net longwave radiation dominates energy losses. The turbulent latent heat flux is always negative, which means that the surface is always losing mass via sublimation, which is the main form of ablation at the site. Sublimation rates are most strongly correlated with net shortwave radiation, incoming shortwave radiation, albedo and vapour pressure. Low glacier surface temperatures restrict melting for much of the period, however episodic melting occurs during the austral summer, when warm, humid, calm and high pressure conditions restrict sublimation and make more energy available for melting. Low accumulation (131 mm w.e. over the period) and relatively high ablation (1435 mm w.e.) means that mass change over the period was negative (−1304 mm w.e.), which continued the negative trend recorded in the region over the last few decades.

scholarly journals A continuum model for meltwater flow through compacting snow

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 2799-2813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin R. Meyer ◽  
Ian J. Hewitt
Keyword(s):  
Continuum Model ◽  
Pore Space ◽  
Water Storage ◽  
Greenland Ice Sheet ◽  
Percolation Process ◽  
Surface Mass ◽  
Run Off ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
Energy Balances ◽  
Mass And Energy Balances

Abstract. Meltwater is produced on the surface of glaciers and ice sheets when the seasonal energy forcing warms the snow to its melting temperature. This meltwater percolates into the snow and subsequently runs off laterally in streams, is stored as liquid water, or refreezes, thus warming the subsurface through the release of latent heat. We present a continuum model for the percolation process that includes heat conduction, meltwater percolation and refreezing, as well as mechanical compaction. The model is forced by surface mass and energy balances, and the percolation process is described using Darcy's law, allowing for both partially and fully saturated pore space. Water is allowed to run off from the surface if the snow is fully saturated. The model outputs include the temperature, density, and water-content profiles and the surface runoff and water storage. We compare the propagation of freezing fronts that occur in the model to observations from the Greenland Ice Sheet. We show that the model applies to both accumulation and ablation areas and allows for a transition between the two as the surface energy forcing varies. The largest average firn temperatures occur at intermediate values of the surface forcing when perennial water storage is predicted.

scholarly journals Reconnaissance Study of glacier energy balance in North Greenland, 1993–94

1998 ◽  
Vol 44 (147) ◽  
pp. 239-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger J. Braithwaite ◽  
Thomas Konzelmann ◽  
Christoph Marty ◽  
Ole B. Olesen
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Longwave Radiation ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Shortwave Radiation ◽  
Balance Model ◽  
Conductive Heat ◽  
Glacier Surface ◽  
West Greenland ◽  
North Greenland

AbstractReconnaissance energy-balance studies were made for the first time at two sites in North Greenland to compare with conditions in West Greenland. The field experiments were planned to save weight because it is expensive to operate in North Greenland. The larger energy components (incoming radiation and ablation) were measured for 55 days altogether, and the smaller components were evaluated by indirect methods, e.g. turbulent fluxes are calculated from air temperature, humidity and wind speed, to save the weight of instruments. The energy-balance model is “tuned" by choosing surface roughness and albedo to reduce the mean error between measured ablation and modelled daily melting. The error standard deviation for ablation is only ± 5 kg m−2d−1’, which is much lower than found in West Greenland, due to better instruments and modelling in the present study. Net radiation is the main energy source for melting in North Greenland but ablation is relatively low because sublimation and conductive-heat fluxes use energy that would otherwise be available for melting. There is a strong diurnal variation in ablation, mainly forced by variations in shortwave radiation and reinforced by nocturnal cooling of the ice surface by outgoing longwave radiation and sublimation. The model frequently predicts a frozen glacier surface at night even when air temperatures are positive.

scholarly journals Analysis of a 3 year meteorological record from the ablation zone of Morteratschgletscher, Switzerland: energy and mass balance

2000 ◽  
Vol 46 (155) ◽  
pp. 571-579 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Oerlemans
Keyword(s):  
Heat Flux ◽  
Sensible Heat Flux ◽  
Longwave Radiation ◽  
Solar Radiation Pressure ◽  
Turbulent Energy ◽  
Snow Accumulation ◽  
Shortwave Radiation ◽  
Glacier Surface ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Snow Temperature

AbstractSince 1 October 1995, an automatic weather station has been operated on the tongue of Morteratschgletscher, Switzerland. The station stands freely on the ice, and sinks with the melting glacier surface. It is located at 2100 m a.s.l., and measures air temperature, wind speed and direction, incoming and reflected solar radiation, pressure and snow temperature. A sonic ranger, mounted to stakes drilled into the ice, measures surface height from which melt rates and snow accumulation can be derived. In this paper the data for the period 1 October 1995 to 30 September 1998 are used to evaluate the surface energy balance. The turbulent energy fluxes are calculated with the bulk method. The turbulent exchange coefficient Ch is used as a control parameter. With Ch = 0.00127 the calculated melt equals the observed melt, which is 17.70 m w.e. over the 3 years. When averaged over the time when melting occurs (i.e. 35% of the time), the mean surface heat flux equals 191 W m−2. Net shortwave radiation contributes 177 W m−2, net longwave radiation −25 W m−2, the sensible-heat flux 31 W m−2 and the latent-heat flux 8 W m−2.

scholarly journals Cloud effects on the surface energy and mass balance of Brewster Glacier, New Zealand

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 975-1019 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Conway ◽  
N. J. Cullen
Keyword(s):  
Surface Energy ◽  
Mass Balance ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Longwave Radiation ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Glacier Surface ◽  
Surface Mass ◽  
Clear Sky ◽  
Climate Interactions ◽  
Sky Conditions

Abstract. A thorough understanding of the influence of clouds on glacier surface energy balance (SEB) and surface mass balance (SMB) is critical for forward and backward modelling of glacier–climate interactions. A validated 22 month time series of SEB/SMB was constructed for the ablation zone of the Brewster Glacier, using high quality radiation data to carefully evaluate SEB terms and define clear-sky and overcast conditions. A fundamental change in glacier SEB in cloudy conditions was driven by increased effective sky emissivity and surface vapour pressure, rather than the minimal change in air temperature and wind speed. During overcast conditions, positive net longwave radiation and latent heat fluxes allowed melt to be maintained through a much greater length of time compared to clear-sky conditions, and led to similar melt in each sky condition. The sensitivity of SMB to changes in air temperature was greatly enhanced in overcast compared to clear-sky conditions due to more frequent melt and the occurrence of precipitation, which enabled a strong accumulation–albedo feedback. During the spring and autumn seasons, the sensitivity during overcast conditions was strongest. There is a need to include the effects of atmospheric moisture (vapour, cloud and precipitation) on melt processes when modelling glacier–climate interactions.

scholarly journals Surface mass and energy balance of Sørbreen, Jan Mayen, 2008

2010 ◽  
Vol 51 (55) ◽  
pp. 110-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Hulth ◽  
Cecilie Rolstad ◽  
Karoline Trondsen ◽  
Ragnhild Wedøe Rødby
Keyword(s):  
Longwave Radiation ◽  
Glacier Surface ◽  
Surface Mass ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Air Temperatures ◽  
Ablation Profile ◽  
Weather Stations ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Lapse Rates ◽  
Temperature Inversions

AbstractMass-balance measurements were initiated in 2007/08 on Sørbreen, Jan Mayen, including operation of automatic weather stations in the ablation zone. Mean daily melt rate is 3.6 cmw.e. d−1 for the investigated snow-free period of 115 days in June-September 2008. During this period, the net radiation is the largest contributor to melt. However, the relative contribution is highest in June (81%) and less in September (21%). The net longwave radiation is negative, acting as a heat sink. The climate on Jan Mayen is polar maritime with generally high humidity and overcast conditions. This leads to a positive latent heat flux, which represents condensation to the glacier surface. Persistent temperature inversions on the island lead to non-linear lapse rates and an ablation profile where melt does not necessarily decrease with increased elevation. A comparison of air temperatures on the glacier and twice-daily radiosonde ascents from the meteorological station, ∼ 20 km away from the glacier, shows that air temperatures at corresponding elevations are highly correlated (R2 = 0.94–0.96). This indicates that radiosonde temperature profiles can be valuable for determining lapse rates for melt modeling of the glacier.

scholarly journals Glacier surface mass balance modeling in the inner tropics using a positive degree-day approach

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Maisincho ◽  
V. Favier ◽  
P. Wagnon ◽  
V. Jomelli ◽  
R. Basantes Serrano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Mass Balance ◽  
Shortwave Radiation ◽  
Surface Mass Balance ◽  
Glacier Surface ◽  
Surface Mass ◽  
Model Based ◽  
Degree Day ◽  
Positive Degree ◽  
Snow And Ice

Abstract. We present a basic ablation model combining a positive degree-day approach to calculate melting and a simple equation based on wind speed to compute sublimation. The model was calibrated at point scale (4900 m a.s.l.) on Antizana Glacier 15 (0.28 km2; 0°28' S, 78°09' W) with data from March 2002 to August 2003 and validated with data from January to November 2005. Cross validation was performed by interchanging the calibration and validation periods. Optimization of the model based on the calculated surface energy balance allowed degree-day factors to be retrieved for snow and ice, and suggests that melting started when daily air temperature was still below 0 °C, because incoming shortwave radiation was intense around noon and resulted in positive temperatures for a few hours a day. The model was then distributed over the glacier and applied to the 2000–2008 period using meteorological inputs measured on the glacier foreland to assess to what extent this approach is suitable for quantifying glacier surface mass balance in Ecuador. Results showed that a model based on temperature, wind speed, and precipitation is able to reproduce a large part of surface mass-balance variability of Antizana Glacier 15 even though the melting factors for snow and ice may vary with time. The model performed well because temperatures were significantly correlated with albedo and net shortwave radiation. Because this relationship disappeared when strong winds result in mixed air in the surface boundary layer, this model should not be extrapolated to other tropical regions where sublimation increases during a pronounced dry season or where glaciers are located above the mean freezing level.

scholarly journals Reconnaissance Study of glacier energy balance in North Greenland, 1993–94

1998 ◽  
Vol 44 (147) ◽  
pp. 239-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger J. Braithwaite ◽  
Thomas Konzelmann ◽  
Christoph Marty ◽  
Ole B. Olesen
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Longwave Radiation ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Shortwave Radiation ◽  
Balance Model ◽  
Conductive Heat ◽  
Glacier Surface ◽  
West Greenland ◽  
North Greenland

AbstractReconnaissance energy-balance studies were made for the first time at two sites in North Greenland to compare with conditions in West Greenland. The field experiments were planned to save weight because it is expensive to operate in North Greenland. The larger energy components (incoming radiation and ablation) were measured for 55 days altogether, and the smaller components were evaluated by indirect methods, e.g. turbulent fluxes are calculated from air temperature, humidity and wind speed, to save the weight of instruments. The energy-balance model is “tuned" by choosing surface roughness and albedo to reduce the mean error between measured ablation and modelled daily melting. The error standard deviation for ablation is only ± 5 kg m −2 d−1’, which is much lower than found in West Greenland, due to better instruments and modelling in the present study. Net radiation is the main energy source for melting in North Greenland but ablation is relatively low because sublimation and conductive-heat fluxes use energy that would otherwise be available for melting. There is a strong diurnal variation in ablation, mainly forced by variations in shortwave radiation and reinforced by nocturnal cooling of the ice surface by outgoing longwave radiation and sublimation. The model frequently predicts a frozen glacier surface at night even when air temperatures are positive.

scholarly journals A numerical simulation of supraglacial heat advection and its influence on ice melt

1991 ◽  
Vol 37 (126) ◽  
pp. 296-300
Author(s):  
R. D Moore
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Rainfall ◽  
Water Layer ◽  
Glacier Surface ◽  
Rainfall Events ◽  
Heat Advection ◽  
Ice Melt ◽  
Run Off ◽  
Macro Scale ◽  
Energy Balances ◽  
Mass And Energy Balances

AbstractEnergy exchange between the atmosphere and a melting glacier surface is mediated by the presence of a water layer. Under conditions of rapid melt and/or heavy rainfall, the possibility exists that a supraglacial run-off layer can advect sensible heat and influence the spatial variations of melt. The potential magnitude of such advection was investigated by numerically solving differential equations expressing the mass and energy balances of a two-dimensional run-off layer. Solutions were obtained for conditions typical of rainfall events, in which the potential for supraglacial heat advection should be maximal. The solutions indicate that advection cannot influence macro-scale melt patterns and surface morphology, except perhaps under heavy rainfall and/or rapid melt conditions, but can possibly cause micro-scale variations in ice melt. One-dimensional energy-balance models, which have normally been applied over glacier surfaces, should remain valid for most conditions.

scholarly journals A numerical simulation of supraglacial heat advection and its influence on ice melt

1991 ◽  
Vol 37 (126) ◽  
pp. 296-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D Moore
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Rainfall ◽  
Water Layer ◽  
Glacier Surface ◽  
Rainfall Events ◽  
Heat Advection ◽  
Ice Melt ◽  
Run Off ◽  
Macro Scale ◽  
Energy Balances ◽  
Mass And Energy Balances

AbstractEnergy exchange between the atmosphere and a melting glacier surface is mediated by the presence of a water layer. Under conditions of rapid melt and/or heavy rainfall, the possibility exists that a supraglacial run-off layer can advect sensible heat and influence the spatial variations of melt. The potential magnitude of such advection was investigated by numerically solving differential equations expressing the mass and energy balances of a two-dimensional run-off layer. Solutions were obtained for conditions typical of rainfall events, in which the potential for supraglacial heat advection should be maximal. The solutions indicate that advection cannot influence macro-scale melt patterns and surface morphology, except perhaps under heavy rainfall and/or rapid melt conditions, but can possibly cause micro-scale variations in ice melt. One-dimensional energy-balance models, which have normally been applied over glacier surfaces, should remain valid for most conditions.

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