Abstract
The long-term mass balance, daily runoff and internal water
storage of the Bering Glacier, Alaska is determined with the
PTAA model using meteorological observations at Cordova and
Yakutat, plus the area-altitude distribution of the glacier.
Precipitation and temperature observations collected daily at
these low altitude stations are converted to snow accumulation
and rain, and snow and ice ablation at each of the 93
area-altitude intervals that make up the total glacier...
There is
strong evidence that Bering Glacier surges are triggered by
several consecutive years of above-normal winter balances. There
is also some indication that high discharges of water from the
glacier and an increase in internal water storage may also be
instrumental. Independent balance measurements made at points on
the Bering Glacier and over the nearby Seward-Malaspina Glacier
show fair to excellent agreement with the simulated balance.
Download the complete article:
Mass Balance, Runoff and Internal
Water Storage of the Bering Glacier, Alaska (1950-96), A
Preliminary Report
Using Low-Altitude Meteorological Observations
to Calculate the Mass Balance of Alaska’s Columbia Glacier and
Relate it to Calving and Speed
Abstract
The 1949-96 mass balance of Columbia Glacier as a function of
altitude and time is determined using low-altitude precipitation
and temperature observations and the area-altitude distribution
of the glacier (designated the PTAA model). In this report mass
balance is defined as glacier surface changes only; losses from
calving are considered separately...
A two-decade (or more) period of generally negative
balances apparently triggered Columbia Glacier into drastic
retreat, which now appears to be primarily controlled by
seasonal runoff variations and water depth at the terminus.
Glacier runoff, also simulated by the model, is applied to
glacier speed and calving rate observations made during the
retreat phase, from 1982-96, to demonstrate ice
speed/intraglacial water storage and runoff/calving
relationships.
Download the complete article:
Using Low-Altitude
Meteorological Observations to Calculate the Mass Balance of
Alaska’s Columbia Glacier and Relate it to Calving and Speed