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Surface energy balance and meltwater production for a Dry Valley glacier, Taylor Valley, Antarctica

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Karen J. Lewis
Affiliation:
Institute of Alpine and Arctic Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, U.S.A.
Andrew G. Fountain
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, Portland State University, Portland, OR 97207, U.S.A.
Gayle L. Dana
Affiliation:
Desert Research Institute, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89506, U.S.A.
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Abstract

The surface energy balance was calculated to estimate sublimation and melt on the surface and terminus of Canada Glacier, Taylor Valley, Antarctica, during the 1994-95 and 1995-96 austral summers. Our results indicate that sublimation accounted for roughly 80% of the observed 1994-95 summer ablation and 40% of the observed 1995-96 summer ablation on the surface of the glacier. Sublimation Oil the terminus cliffs appears to be less significant than sublimation on the glacier surface, probably accounting for at most 10-15% of the measured ablation. Based on these results, both surface and terminus cliff melt were calculated and compared with gauged flow in the Glaciol streams. We found thai while the terminus cliffs represent only 2% of the total ablation zone, they account for 10— 40% of the total meltwater runoff. Given pur current instrumentation, we can estimate meltwater discharge from the glacier with an accuracy of ±20%.

Information

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © International Glaciological Society 1998
Figure 0

Fig. 1. Base map and location of glaciers in Taylor Valley, Antarctica.

Figure 1

Fig. 2. Lower Canada Glacier, showing meteorologie stations, ablation stake locations and stream gauges. The surface meteorologie station is located about 20 m from the neighbouring stake. The approximate location of the glacier equilibrium line and the Andersen Creek and Canada Stream drainage area boundaries are also indicated.

Figure 2

Fig. 3. The mean daily cycle of Canada Glacier energy-balance components for the period 1 December 1995-10 January 1996. Fluxes toward the surface are positive.

Figure 3

Table 1. Energy-balance components measured at the glacier surface and terminus cliff meteorologie stations. Shown are: average summer valuesfor each of the energy-balance components (Wm−2); the equivalent ice ablation (cm w.e.) due to latent heat, A1e, and water-equivalent melt, Am, over the duration of the summer 1995-96 ablation stake measurements; the water-equivalent ablation measured at slake next to the surface meteorologie station (for the surface measurements); and the average water-equivalent ablation measured at the terminus stakes along Andersen Creek (for the terminus measurements)

Figure 4

Table 2. Error terms for meteorologie measurements based on manufacturers quoted instrument accuracy and the corresponding water-equivalent melt as a result of the given energy flux

Figure 5

Table 3. Average measured surface and terminus ablation, calculated sublimation for the glacier surface, and percentage ablation based on calculated sublimation rates