Geodetic point surface mass balances: a new approach to determine point surface mass balances on glaciers from remote sensing measurements
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Published:2021-03-10
Issue:3
Volume:15
Page:1259-1276
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ISSN:1994-0424
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Container-title:The Cryosphere
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language:en
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Short-container-title:The Cryosphere
Author:
Vincent Christian, Cusicanqui DiegoORCID, Jourdain Bruno, Laarman Olivier, Six Delphine, Gilbert Adrien, Walpersdorf Andrea, Rabatel Antoine, Piard Luc, Gimbert FlorentORCID, Gagliardini OlivierORCID, Peyaud Vincent, Arnaud LaurentORCID, Thibert Emmanuel, Brun FannyORCID, Nanni UgoORCID
Abstract
Abstract. Mass balance observations are very useful to assess climate change in
different regions of the world. As opposed to glacier-wide mass balances
which are influenced by the dynamic response of each glacier, point
mass balances provide a direct climatic signal that depends on surface
accumulation and ablation only. Unfortunately, major efforts are required to
conduct in situ measurements on glaciers. Here, we propose a new approach that
determines point surface mass balances from remote sensing observations. We
call this balance the geodetic point surface mass balance. From observations
and modelling performed on the Argentière and Mer de Glace glaciers over the
last decade, we show that the vertical ice flow velocity changes are small
in areas of low bedrock slope. Therefore, assuming constant vertical
velocities in time for such areas and provided that the vertical velocities
have been measured for at least 1 year in the past, our method can be used
to reconstruct annual point surface mass balances from surface elevations
and horizontal velocities alone. We demonstrate that the annual point
surface mass balances can be reconstructed with an accuracy of about
0.3 m of water equivalent per year (m w.e. a−1) using the vertical velocities observed over the previous years
and data from unmanned aerial vehicle images. Given the recent improvements
of satellite sensors, it should be possible to apply this method to high-spatial-resolution satellite images as well.
Funder
Agence Nationale de la Recherche
Publisher
Copernicus GmbH
Subject
Earth-Surface Processes,Water Science and Technology
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