Surface Movement, Hydrological Change and Equilibrium Flow on Lemon Creek Glacier, Alaska

Abstract

AbstractLemon Creek Glacier served as the focus of attention of the Juneau Ice Field Research Project from 1953 through 1958. During the International Geophysical Year, it represented one of the glaciological stations in the North American network. This paper presents some of the results of these studies, its purposes being (1) to discuss the 1953–58 annual hydrological budgets, and (2) to test Nielsen’s equations for the equilibrium glacier using 1957 and 1958 movement and hydrological data.It is found that each budget year for the period studied shows a deficit, except 1954–55 which registered a pronounced surplus. The net deficit amounts to 10.32×106m.3of water. The 1956–57 budget was only slightly negative (0.82×106m.3) but that for 1957–58 was strongly negative (8.96×106m.3). Surface flow measurements were made along five transverse profiles, two of which were plotted over one full year. It is believed that the one-year measurements provide a more accurate and realistic picture of glacier flow than is normally available from short summer surveys. Thu glacier appears to be close to equilibrium and to behave in the manner predicted by Nielsen’s theory of equilibrium flow.