Cryoconite Holes on Sermikavsak, West Greenland

Abstract

AbstractThe depths and diameters of 158 cryoconite holes were measured at ten positions in the ablation zone of Sermikavsak, West Greenland. It was found that the depths increased on going up the glacier in agreement with other measurements made earlier on polar glaciers. There was no significant correlation of depth with diameter. The relative importance of the combined short- and long-wavelength radiation balances and the transfer of heat by convectional mixing in water-filled holes is discussed. The variations in depth are attributed to changes in the albedo and the bulk extinction coefficient of the surface ice layers on the glacier.