Articles | Volume 14, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-1009-2020
© Author(s) 2020. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-1009-2020
© Author(s) 2020. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
17 Mar 2020
Research article |
| 17 Mar 2020
| 17 Mar 2020
Pressure and inertia sensing drifters for glacial hydrology flow path measurements
Andreas Alexander
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway
Department of Arctic Geology, The University Centre in Svalbard, 9171 Longyearbyen, Norway
Maarja Kruusmaa
Centre for Biorobotics, Tallinn University of Technology, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia
Centre for Autonomous Marine Operations and Systems, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
Jeffrey A. Tuhtan
Centre for Biorobotics, Tallinn University of Technology, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia
Andrew J. Hodson
Department of Arctic Geology, The University Centre in Svalbard, 9171 Longyearbyen, Norway
Department of Environmental Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, 6856 Sogndal, Norway
Thomas V. Schuler
Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway
Department of Arctic Geophysics, The University Centre in Svalbard, 9171 Longyearbyen, Norway
Andreas Kääb
Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway
Related authors
Laura Piho, Andreas Alexander, and Maarja Kruusmaa
The Cryosphere, 16, 3669–3683, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-3669-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-3669-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
In this study we develop a novel method to map subsurface water flow paths and spatially reference in situ data from such environments. We demonstrate the feasibility of our method with the reconstruction of the flow path of an englacial channel and the water pressures therein. Our method opens up for direct mapping of subsurface water flow paths, not only in glacier hydrology but also in other applications (e.g., karst caves, pipelines, sewer systems).
Andreas Alexander, Jaroslav Obu, Thomas V. Schuler, Andreas Kääb, and Hanne H. Christiansen
The Cryosphere, 14, 4217–4231, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-4217-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-4217-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
In this study we present subglacial air, ice and sediment temperatures from within the basal drainage systems of two cold-based glaciers on Svalbard during late spring and the summer melt season. We put the data into the context of air temperature and rainfall at the glacier surface and show the importance of surface events on the subglacial thermal regime and erosion around basal drainage channels. Observed vertical erosion rates thereby reachup to 0.9 m d−1.
Juditha Aga, Livia Piermattei, Luc Girod, Kristoffer Aalstad, Trond Eiken, Andreas Kääb, and Sebastian Westermann
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 1049–1070, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1049-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1049-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Coastal rock cliffs on Svalbard are considered to be fairly stable; however, long-term trends in coastal-retreat rates remain unknown. This study examines changes in the coastline position along Brøggerhalvøya, Svalbard, using aerial images from 1970, 1990, 2010, and 2021. Our analysis shows that coastal-retreat rates accelerate during the period 2010–2021, which coincides with increasing storminess and retreating sea ice.
Diego Cusicanqui, Pascal Lacroix, Xavier Bodin, Benjamin Aubrey Robson, Andreas Kääb, and Shelley MacDonell
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2393, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2393, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study presents for the first time a robust methodological approach to detect and analyse rock glacier kinematics using 24 years of Landsat 7/8 imagery. Within a small region in the semi-arid andes, 382 movements were monitored showing an average velocity of 0.3 ± 0.07 m yr-1, with rock glaciers moving faster. We highlight the value of integrating optical imagery and radar interferometry supporting monitoring of rock glacier kinematics, using available medium-resolution optical imagery.
Livia Piermattei, Michael Zemp, Christian Sommer, Fanny Brun, Matthias H. Braun, Liss M. Andreassen, Joaquín M. C. Belart, Etienne Berthier, Atanu Bhattacharya, Laura Boehm Vock, Tobias Bolch, Amaury Dehecq, Inés Dussaillant, Daniel Falaschi, Caitlyn Florentine, Dana Floricioiu, Christian Ginzler, Gregoire Guillet, Romain Hugonnet, Matthias Huss, Andreas Kääb, Owen King, Christoph Klug, Friedrich Knuth, Lukas Krieger, Jeff La Frenierre, Robert McNabb, Christopher McNeil, Rainer Prinz, Louis Sass, Thorsten Seehaus, David Shean, Désirée Treichler, Anja Wendt, and Ruitang Yang
The Cryosphere, 18, 3195–3230, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-3195-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-3195-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Satellites have made it possible to observe glacier elevation changes from all around the world. In the present study, we compared the results produced from two different types of satellite data between different research groups and against validation measurements from aeroplanes. We found a large spread between individual results but showed that the group ensemble can be used to reliably estimate glacier elevation changes and related errors from satellite data.
Coline Bouchayer, Ugo Nanni, Pierre-Marie Lefeuvre, John Hult, Louise Steffensen Schmidt, Jack Kohler, François Renard, and Thomas V. Schuler
The Cryosphere, 18, 2939–2968, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-2939-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-2939-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We explore the interplay between surface runoff and subglacial conditions. We focus on Kongsvegen glacier in Svalbard. We drilled 350 m down to the glacier base to measure water pressure, till strength, seismic noise, and glacier surface velocity. In the low-melt season, the drainage system adapted gradually, while the high-melt season led to a transient response, exceeding drainage capacity and enhancing sliding. Our findings contribute to discussions on subglacial hydro-mechanical processes.
Thomas J. Barnes, Thomas V. Schuler, Simon Filhol, and Karianne S. Lilleøren
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 801–818, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-801-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-801-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
In this paper, we use machine learning to automatically outline landforms based on their characteristics. We test several methods to identify the most accurate and then proceed to develop the most accurate to improve its accuracy further. We manage to outline landforms with 65 %–75 % accuracy, at a resolution of 10 m, thanks to high-quality/high-resolution elevation data. We find that it is possible to run this method at a country scale to quickly produce landform inventories for future studies.
Gabrielle Emma Kleber, Leonard Magerl, Alexandra V. Turchyn, Mark Trimmer, Yizhu Zhu, and Andrew Hodson
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1273, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1273, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Our research on Svalbard has uncovered that melting glaciers can release large amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. By studying a glacier over two summers, we found that its river was highly concentrated in methane. This suggests that as the Arctic warms and glaciers melt, they could be a significant source of methane emissions. This is the first time such emissions have been measured on Svalbard, indicating a wider environmental concern as similar processes may occur across the Arctic.
Andrea Spolaor, Federico Scoto, Catherine Larose, Elena Barbaro, Francois Burgay, Mats P. Bjorkman, David Cappelletti, Federico Dallo, Fabrizio de Blasi, Dmitry Divine, Giuliano Dreossi, Jacopo Gabrieli, Elisabeth Isaksson, Jack Kohler, Tonu Martma, Louise S. Schmidt, Thomas V. Schuler, Barbara Stenni, Clara Turetta, Bartłomiej Luks, Mathieu Casado, and Jean-Charles Gallet
The Cryosphere, 18, 307–320, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-307-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-307-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We evaluate the impact of the increased snowmelt on the preservation of the oxygen isotope (δ18O) signal in firn records recovered from the top of the Holtedahlfonna ice field located in the Svalbard archipelago. Thanks to a multidisciplinary approach we demonstrate a progressive deterioration of the isotope signal in the firn core. We link the degradation of the δ18O signal to the increased occurrence and intensity of melt events associated with the rapid warming occurring in the archipelago.
Louise Steffensen Schmidt, Thomas Vikhamar Schuler, Erin Emily Thomas, and Sebastian Westermann
The Cryosphere, 17, 2941–2963, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-2941-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-2941-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Here, we present high-resolution simulations of glacier mass balance (the gain and loss of ice over a year) and runoff on Svalbard from 1991–2022, one of the fastest warming regions in the Arctic. The simulations are created using the CryoGrid community model. We find a small overall loss of mass over the simulation period of −0.08 m yr−1 but with no statistically significant trend. The average runoff was found to be 41 Gt yr−1, with a significant increasing trend of 6.3 Gt per decade.
Andreas Kääb and Luc Girod
The Cryosphere, 17, 2533–2541, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-2533-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-2533-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Following the detachment of the 130 × 106 m3 Sedongpu Glacier (south-eastern Tibet) in 2018, the Sedongpu Valley underwent massive large-volume landscape changes. An enormous volume of in total around 330 × 106 m3 was rapidly eroded, forming a new canyon of up to 300 m depth, 1 km width, and almost 4 km length. Such consequences of glacier change in mountains have so far not been considered at this magnitude and speed.
Sebastian Westermann, Thomas Ingeman-Nielsen, Johanna Scheer, Kristoffer Aalstad, Juditha Aga, Nitin Chaudhary, Bernd Etzelmüller, Simon Filhol, Andreas Kääb, Cas Renette, Louise Steffensen Schmidt, Thomas Vikhamar Schuler, Robin B. Zweigel, Léo Martin, Sarah Morard, Matan Ben-Asher, Michael Angelopoulos, Julia Boike, Brian Groenke, Frederieke Miesner, Jan Nitzbon, Paul Overduin, Simone M. Stuenzi, and Moritz Langer
Geosci. Model Dev., 16, 2607–2647, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-2607-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-2607-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The CryoGrid community model is a new tool for simulating ground temperatures and the water and ice balance in cold regions. It is a modular design, which makes it possible to test different schemes to simulate, for example, permafrost ground in an efficient way. The model contains tools to simulate frozen and unfrozen ground, snow, glaciers, and other massive ice bodies, as well as water bodies.
Fuming Xie, Shiyin Liu, Yongpeng Gao, Yu Zhu, Tobias Bolch, Andreas Kääb, Shimei Duan, Wenfei Miao, Jianfang Kang, Yaonan Zhang, Xiran Pan, Caixia Qin, Kunpeng Wu, Miaomiao Qi, Xianhe Zhang, Ying Yi, Fengze Han, Xiaojun Yao, Qiao Liu, Xin Wang, Zongli Jiang, Donghui Shangguan, Yong Zhang, Richard Grünwald, Muhammad Adnan, Jyoti Karki, and Muhammad Saifullah
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 15, 847–867, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-847-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-847-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, first we generated inventories which allowed us to systematically detect glacier change patterns in the Karakoram range. We found that, by the 2020s, there were approximately 10 500 glaciers in the Karakoram mountains covering an area of 22 510.73 km2, of which ~ 10.2 % is covered by debris. During the past 30 years (from 1990 to 2020), the total glacier cover area in Karakoram remained relatively stable, with a slight increase in area of 23.5 km2.
Anirudha Mahagaonkar, Geir Moholdt, and Thomas V. Schuler
The Cryosphere Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2023-4, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2023-4, 2023
Revised manuscript not accepted
Short summary
Short summary
Surface meltwater lakes along the margins of the Antarctic Ice Sheet can be important for ice shelf dynamics and stability. We used optical satellite imagery to study seasonal evolution of meltwater lakes in Dronning Maud Land. We found large interannual variability in lake extents, but with consistent seasonal patterns. Although correlation with summer air temperature was strong locally, other climatic and environmental factors need to be considered to explain the large regional variability.
Maximillian Van Wyk de Vries, Shashank Bhushan, Mylène Jacquemart, César Deschamps-Berger, Etienne Berthier, Simon Gascoin, David E. Shean, Dan H. Shugar, and Andreas Kääb
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 22, 3309–3327, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-22-3309-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-22-3309-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
On 7 February 2021, a large rock–ice avalanche occurred in Chamoli, Indian Himalaya. The resulting debris flow swept down the nearby valley, leaving over 200 people dead or missing. We use a range of satellite datasets to investigate how the collapse area changed prior to collapse. We show that signs of instability were visible as early 5 years prior to collapse. However, it would likely not have been possible to predict the timing of the event from current satellite datasets.
Laura Piho, Andreas Alexander, and Maarja Kruusmaa
The Cryosphere, 16, 3669–3683, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-3669-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-3669-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
In this study we develop a novel method to map subsurface water flow paths and spatially reference in situ data from such environments. We demonstrate the feasibility of our method with the reconstruction of the flow path of an englacial channel and the water pressures therein. Our method opens up for direct mapping of subsurface water flow paths, not only in glacier hydrology but also in other applications (e.g., karst caves, pipelines, sewer systems).
Frank Paul, Livia Piermattei, Désirée Treichler, Lin Gilbert, Luc Girod, Andreas Kääb, Ludivine Libert, Thomas Nagler, Tazio Strozzi, and Jan Wuite
The Cryosphere, 16, 2505–2526, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2505-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2505-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Glacier surges are widespread in the Karakoram and have been intensely studied using satellite data and DEMs. We use time series of such datasets to study three glacier surges in the same region of the Karakoram. We found strongly contrasting advance rates and flow velocities, maximum velocities of 30 m d−1, and a change in the surge mechanism during a surge. A sensor comparison revealed good agreement, but steep terrain and the two smaller glaciers caused limitations for some of them.
Bas Altena, Andreas Kääb, and Bert Wouters
The Cryosphere, 16, 2285–2300, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2285-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2285-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Repeat overflights of satellites are used to estimate surface displacements. However, such products lack a simple error description for individual measurements, but variation in precision occurs, since the calculation is based on the similarity of texture. Fortunately, variation in precision manifests itself in the correlation peak, which is used for the displacement calculation. This spread is used to make a connection to measurement precision, which can be of great use for model inversion.
Isabelle Gärtner-Roer, Nina Brunner, Reynald Delaloye, Wilfried Haeberli, Andreas Kääb, and Patrick Thee
The Cryosphere, 16, 2083–2101, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2083-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2083-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We intensely investigated the Gruben site in the Swiss Alps, where glaciers and permafrost landforms closely interact, to better understand cold-climate environments. By the interpretation of air photos from 5 decades, we describe long-term developments of the existing landforms. In combination with high-resolution positioning measurements and ground surface temperatures, we were also able to link these to short-term changes and describe different landform responses to climate forcing.
Tazio Strozzi, Andreas Wiesmann, Andreas Kääb, Thomas Schellenberger, and Frank Paul
Earth Syst. Sci. Data Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2022-44, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2022-44, 2022
Revised manuscript not accepted
Short summary
Short summary
Knowledge on surface velocity of glaciers and ice caps contributes to a better understanding of a wide range of processes related to glacier dynamics, mass change and response to climate. Based on the release of historical satellite radar data from various space agencies we compiled nearly complete mosaics of winter ice surface velocities for the 1990's over the Eastern Arctic. Compared to the present state, we observe a general increase of ice velocities along with a retreat of glacier fronts.
Armin Dachauer, Richard Hann, and Andrew J. Hodson
The Cryosphere, 15, 5513–5528, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-5513-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-5513-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
This study investigated the aerodynamic roughness length (z0) – an important parameter to determine the surface roughness – of crevassed tidewater glaciers on Svalbard using drone data. The results point out that the range of z0 values across a crevassed glacier is large but in general significantly higher compared to non-crevassed glacier surfaces. The UAV approach proved to be an ideal tool to provide distributed z0 estimates of crevassed glaciers which can be used to model turbulent fluxes.
Paul Willem Leclercq, Andreas Kääb, and Bas Altena
The Cryosphere, 15, 4901–4907, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-4901-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-4901-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
In this study we present a novel method to detect glacier surge activity. Surges are relevant as they disturb the link between glacier change and climate, and studying surges can also increase understanding of glacier flow. We use variations in Sentinel-1 radar backscatter strength, calculated with the use of Google Earth Engine, to detect surge activity. In our case study for the year 2018–2019 we find 69 cases of surging glaciers globally. Many of these were not previously known to be surging.
Thomas Birchall, Malte Jochmann, Peter Betlem, Kim Senger, Andrew Hodson, and Snorre Olaussen
The Cryosphere Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2021-226, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2021-226, 2021
Preprint withdrawn
Short summary
Short summary
Svalbard has over a century of drilling history, though this historical data is largely overlooked nowadays. After inspecting this data, stored in local archives, we noticed the surprisingly common phenomenon of gas trapped below the permafrost. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and the Arctic is warming at unprecedented rates. The permafrost is the last barrier preventing this gas from escaping into the atmosphere and if it thaws it risks a feedback effect to the already warming climate.
Chloé Scholzen, Thomas V. Schuler, and Adrien Gilbert
The Cryosphere, 15, 2719–2738, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-2719-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-2719-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We use a two-dimensional model of water flow below the glaciers in Kongsfjord, Svalbard, to investigate how different processes of surface-to-bed meltwater transfer affect subglacial hydraulic conditions. The latter are important for the sliding motion of glaciers, which in some cases exhibit huge variations. Our findings indicate that the glaciers in our study area undergo substantial sliding because water is poorly evacuated from their base, with limited influence from the surface hydrology.
Juditha Undine Schmidt, Bernd Etzelmüller, Thomas Vikhamar Schuler, Florence Magnin, Julia Boike, Moritz Langer, and Sebastian Westermann
The Cryosphere, 15, 2491–2509, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-2491-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-2491-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
This study presents rock surface temperatures (RSTs) of steep high-Arctic rock walls on Svalbard from 2016 to 2020. The field data show that coastal cliffs are characterized by warmer RSTs than inland locations during winter seasons. By running model simulations, we analyze factors leading to that effect, calculate the surface energy balance and simulate different future scenarios. Both field data and model results can contribute to a further understanding of RST in high-Arctic rock walls.
Andreas Kääb, Mylène Jacquemart, Adrien Gilbert, Silvan Leinss, Luc Girod, Christian Huggel, Daniel Falaschi, Felipe Ugalde, Dmitry Petrakov, Sergey Chernomorets, Mikhail Dokukin, Frank Paul, Simon Gascoin, Etienne Berthier, and Jeffrey S. Kargel
The Cryosphere, 15, 1751–1785, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-1751-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-1751-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Hardly recognized so far, giant catastrophic detachments of glaciers are a rare but great potential for loss of lives and massive damage in mountain regions. Several of the events compiled in our study involve volumes (up to 100 million m3 and more), avalanche speeds (up to 300 km/h), and reaches (tens of kilometres) that are hard to imagine. We show that current climate change is able to enhance associated hazards. For the first time, we elaborate a set of factors that could cause these events.
Elena Barbaro, Krystyna Koziol, Mats P. Björkman, Carmen P. Vega, Christian Zdanowicz, Tonu Martma, Jean-Charles Gallet, Daniel Kępski, Catherine Larose, Bartłomiej Luks, Florian Tolle, Thomas V. Schuler, Aleksander Uszczyk, and Andrea Spolaor
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 3163–3180, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-3163-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-3163-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
This paper shows the most comprehensive seasonal snow chemistry survey to date, carried out in April 2016 across 22 sites on 7 glaciers across Svalbard. The dataset consists of the concentration, mass loading, spatial and altitudinal distribution of major ion species (Ca2+, K+,
Na2+, Mg2+,
NH4+, SO42−,
Br−, Cl− and
NO3−), together with its stable oxygen and hydrogen isotope composition (δ18O and
δ2H) in the snowpack. This study was part of the larger Community Coordinated Snow Study in Svalbard.
Christian Zdanowicz, Jean-Charles Gallet, Mats P. Björkman, Catherine Larose, Thomas Schuler, Bartłomiej Luks, Krystyna Koziol, Andrea Spolaor, Elena Barbaro, Tõnu Martma, Ward van Pelt, Ulla Wideqvist, and Johan Ström
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 3035–3057, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-3035-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-3035-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Black carbon (BC) aerosols are soot-like particles which, when transported to the Arctic, darken snow surfaces, thus indirectly affecting climate. Information on BC in Arctic snow is needed to measure their impact and monitor the efficacy of pollution-reduction policies. This paper presents a large new set of BC measurements in snow in Svalbard collected between 2007 and 2018. It describes how BC in snow varies across the archipelago and explores some factors controlling these variations.
Andreas Kääb, Tazio Strozzi, Tobias Bolch, Rafael Caduff, Håkon Trefall, Markus Stoffel, and Alexander Kokarev
The Cryosphere, 15, 927–949, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-927-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-927-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We present a map of rock glacier motion over parts of the northern Tien Shan and time series of surface speed for six of them over almost 70 years.
This is by far the most detailed investigation of this kind available for central Asia.
We detect a 2- to 4-fold increase in rock glacier motion between the 1950s and present, which we attribute to atmospheric warming.
Relative to the shrinking glaciers in the region, this implies increased importance of periglacial sediment transport.
Mikkel Toft Hornum, Andrew Jonathan Hodson, Søren Jessen, Victor Bense, and Kim Senger
The Cryosphere, 14, 4627–4651, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-4627-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-4627-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
In Arctic fjord valleys, considerable amounts of methane may be stored below the permafrost and escape directly to the atmosphere through springs. A new conceptual model of how such springs form and persist is presented and confirmed by numerical modelling experiments: in uplifted Arctic valleys, freezing pressure induced at the permafrost base can drive the flow of groundwater to the surface through vents in frozen ground. This deserves attention as an emission pathway for greenhouse gasses.
Andreas Alexander, Jaroslav Obu, Thomas V. Schuler, Andreas Kääb, and Hanne H. Christiansen
The Cryosphere, 14, 4217–4231, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-4217-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-4217-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
In this study we present subglacial air, ice and sediment temperatures from within the basal drainage systems of two cold-based glaciers on Svalbard during late spring and the summer melt season. We put the data into the context of air temperature and rainfall at the glacier surface and show the importance of surface events on the subglacial thermal regime and erosion around basal drainage channels. Observed vertical erosion rates thereby reachup to 0.9 m d−1.
Andrew J. Hodson, Aga Nowak, Mikkel T. Hornum, Kim Senger, Kelly Redeker, Hanne H. Christiansen, Søren Jessen, Peter Betlem, Steve F. Thornton, Alexandra V. Turchyn, Snorre Olaussen, and Alina Marca
The Cryosphere, 14, 3829–3842, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-3829-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-3829-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Methane stored below permafrost is an unknown quantity in the Arctic greenhouse gas budget. In coastal areas with rising sea levels, much of the methane seeps into the sea and is removed before it reaches the atmosphere. However, where land uplift outpaces rising sea levels, the former seabed freezes, pressurising methane-rich groundwater beneath, which then escapes via permafrost seepages called pingos. We describe this mechanism and the origins of the methane discharging from Svalbard pingos.
Aynom T. Teweldebrhan, Thomas V. Schuler, John F. Burkhart, and Morten Hjorth-Jensen
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 24, 4641–4658, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-4641-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-4641-2020, 2020
Ankit Pramanik, Jack Kohler, Katrin Lindbäck, Penelope How, Ward Van Pelt, Glen Liston, and Thomas V. Schuler
The Cryosphere Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2020-197, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2020-197, 2020
Revised manuscript not accepted
Short summary
Short summary
Freshwater discharge from tidewater glaciers influences fjord circulation and fjord ecosystem. Glacier hydrology plays crucial role in transporting water underneath glacier ice. We investigated hydrology beneath the tidewater glaciers of Kongsfjord basin in Northwest Svalbard and found that subglacial water flow differs substantially from surface flow of glacier ice. Furthermore, we derived freshwater discharge time-series from all the glaciers to the fjord.
Mark J. Hopwood, Dustin Carroll, Thorben Dunse, Andy Hodson, Johnna M. Holding, José L. Iriarte, Sofia Ribeiro, Eric P. Achterberg, Carolina Cantoni, Daniel F. Carlson, Melissa Chierici, Jennifer S. Clarke, Stefano Cozzi, Agneta Fransson, Thomas Juul-Pedersen, Mie H. S. Winding, and Lorenz Meire
The Cryosphere, 14, 1347–1383, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-1347-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-1347-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Here we compare and contrast results from five well-studied Arctic field sites in order to understand how glaciers affect marine biogeochemistry and marine primary production. The key questions are listed as follows. Where and when does glacial freshwater discharge promote or reduce marine primary production? How does spatio-temporal variability in glacial discharge affect marine primary production? And how far-reaching are the effects of glacial discharge on marine biogeochemistry?
Thomas Vikhamar Schuler and Torbjørn Ims Østby
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 12, 875–885, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-12-875-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-12-875-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Atmospheric variables needed to force terrestrial process models (permafrost, glacier mass balance, seasonal snow, surface energy balance) have been downscaled from the ERA-40 and ERA-Interim reanalyses using methodology described in the accompanying paper. The gridded dataset has a horizontal resolution of 1 km and covers the entire Svalbard archipelago. The data have a temporal resolution of 6 h and cover the entire ERA-40 period (1957–2002) and the ERA-Interim period (1979–2017).
Jaroslav Obu, Sebastian Westermann, Gonçalo Vieira, Andrey Abramov, Megan Ruby Balks, Annett Bartsch, Filip Hrbáček, Andreas Kääb, and Miguel Ramos
The Cryosphere, 14, 497–519, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-497-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-497-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Little is known about permafrost in the Antarctic outside of the few research stations. We used a simple equilibrium permafrost model to estimate permafrost temperatures in the whole Antarctic. The lowest permafrost temperature on Earth is −36 °C in the Queen Elizabeth Range in the Transantarctic Mountains. Temperatures are commonly between −23 and −18 °C in mountainous areas rising above the Antarctic Ice Sheet, between −14 and −8 °C in coastal areas, and up to 0 °C on the Antarctic Peninsula.
Joseph M. Cook, Andrew J. Tedstone, Christopher Williamson, Jenine McCutcheon, Andrew J. Hodson, Archana Dayal, McKenzie Skiles, Stefan Hofer, Robert Bryant, Owen McAree, Andrew McGonigle, Jonathan Ryan, Alexandre M. Anesio, Tristram D. L. Irvine-Fynn, Alun Hubbard, Edward Hanna, Mark Flanner, Sathish Mayanna, Liane G. Benning, Dirk van As, Marian Yallop, James B. McQuaid, Thomas Gribbin, and Martyn Tranter
The Cryosphere, 14, 309–330, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-309-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-309-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) is a major source of uncertainty for sea level rise projections. Ice-darkening due to the growth of algae has been recognized as a potential accelerator of melting. This paper measures and models the algae-driven ice melting and maps the algae over the ice sheet for the first time. We estimate that as much as 13 % total runoff from the south-western GrIS can be attributed to these algae, showing that they must be included in future mass balance models.
Nikita Demidov, Sebastian Wetterich, Sergey Verkulich, Aleksey Ekaykin, Hanno Meyer, Mikhail Anisimov, Lutz Schirrmeister, Vasily Demidov, and Andrew J. Hodson
The Cryosphere, 13, 3155–3169, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-3155-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-3155-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
As Norwegian geologist Liestøl (1996) recognised,
in connection with formation of pingos there are a great many unsolved questions. Drillings and temperature measurements through the pingo mound and also through the surrounding permafrost are needed before the problems can be better understood. To shed light on pingo formation here we present the results of first drilling of pingo on Spitsbergen together with results of detailed hydrochemical and stable-isotope studies of massive-ice samples.
Désirée Treichler, Andreas Kääb, Nadine Salzmann, and Chong-Yu Xu
The Cryosphere, 13, 2977–3005, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-2977-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-2977-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
Glacier growth such as that found on the Tibetan Plateau (TP) is counterintuitive in a warming world. Climate models and meteorological data are conflicting about the reasons for this glacier anomaly. We quantify the glacier changes in High Mountain Asia using satellite laser altimetry as well as the growth of over 1300 inland lakes on the TP. Our study suggests that increased summer precipitation is likely the largest contributor to the recently observed increases in glacier and lake masses.
Andreas Kääb, Bas Altena, and Joseph Mascaro
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 23, 4233–4247, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-23-4233-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-23-4233-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
Knowledge of water surface velocities in rivers is useful for understanding a wide range of processes and systems, but is difficult to measure over large reaches. Here, we present a novel method to exploit near-simultaneous imagery produced by the Planet cubesat constellation to track river ice floes and estimate water surface velocities. We demonstrate the method for a 60 km long reach of the Amur River and a 200 km long reach of the Yukon River.
Ward van Pelt, Veijo Pohjola, Rickard Pettersson, Sergey Marchenko, Jack Kohler, Bartłomiej Luks, Jon Ove Hagen, Thomas V. Schuler, Thorben Dunse, Brice Noël, and Carleen Reijmer
The Cryosphere, 13, 2259–2280, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-2259-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-2259-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
The climate in Svalbard is undergoing amplified change compared to the global mean, which has a strong impact on the climatic mass balance of glaciers and the state of seasonal snow in land areas. In this study we analyze a coupled energy balance–subsurface model dataset, which provides detailed information on distributed climatic mass balance, snow conditions, and runoff across Svalbard between 1957 and 2018.
B. Altena, O. N. Haga, C. Nuth, and A. Kääb
Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci., XLII-2-W13, 1723–1727, https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLII-2-W13-1723-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLII-2-W13-1723-2019, 2019
Daniel Falaschi, Andreas Kääb, Frank Paul, Takeo Tadono, Juan Antonio Rivera, and Luis Eduardo Lenzano
The Cryosphere, 13, 997–1004, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-997-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-997-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
In March 2007, the Leñas Glacier in the Central Andes of Argentina collapsed and released an ice avalanche that travelled a distance of 2 km. We analysed aerial photos, satellite images and field evidence to investigate the evolution of the glacier from the 1950s through the present day. A clear potential trigger of the collapse could not be identified from available meteorological and seismic data, nor could a significant change in glacier geometry leading to glacier instability be detected.
Robert McNabb, Christopher Nuth, Andreas Kääb, and Luc Girod
The Cryosphere, 13, 895–910, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-895-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-895-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
Estimating glacier changes involves measuring elevation changes, often using elevation models derived from satellites. Many elevation models have data gaps (voids), which affect estimates of glacier change. We compare 11 methods for interpolating voids, finding that some methods bias estimates of glacier change by up to 20 %, though most methods have a smaller effect. Some methods produce reliable results even with large void areas, suggesting that noisy elevation data are still useful.
Bas Altena, Ted Scambos, Mark Fahnestock, and Andreas Kääb
The Cryosphere, 13, 795–814, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-795-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-795-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
Many glaciers in southern Alaska and the Yukon experience changes in flow speed, which occur in episodes or sporadically. These flow changes can be measured with satellites, but the resulting raw velocity products are messy. Thus in this study we developed an automatic method to produce a synthesized velocity product over a large glacier region of roughly 600 km by 200 km. Velocities are at a monthly resolution and at 300 m resolution, making all kinds of glacier dynamics observable.
Luc Girod, Niels Ivar Nielsen, Frédérique Couderette, Christopher Nuth, and Andreas Kääb
Geosci. Instrum. Method. Data Syst., 7, 277–288, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-7-277-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-7-277-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Historical surveys performed through the use of aerial photography gave us the first maps of the Arctic. Nearly a century later, a renewed interest in studying the Arctic is rising from the need to understand and quantify climate change. It is therefore time to dig up the archives and extract the maximum of information from the images using the most modern methods. In this study, we show that the aerial survey of Svalbard in 1936–38 provides us with valuable data on the archipelago's glaciers.
Aynom T. Teweldebrhan, John F. Burkhart, and Thomas V. Schuler
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 22, 5021–5039, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-22-5021-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-22-5021-2018, 2018
Adrien Gilbert, Silvan Leinss, Jeffrey Kargel, Andreas Kääb, Simon Gascoin, Gregory Leonard, Etienne Berthier, Alina Karki, and Tandong Yao
The Cryosphere, 12, 2883–2900, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-2883-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-2883-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
In Tibet, two glaciers suddenly collapsed in summer 2016 and produced two gigantic ice avalanches, killing nine people. This kind of phenomenon is extremely rare. By combining a detailed modelling study and high-resolution satellite observations, we show that the event was triggered by an increasing meltwater supply in the fine-grained material underneath the two glaciers. Contrary to what is often thought, this event is not linked to a change in the thermal condition at the glacier base.
Martina Barandun, Matthias Huss, Ryskul Usubaliev, Erlan Azisov, Etienne Berthier, Andreas Kääb, Tobias Bolch, and Martin Hoelzle
The Cryosphere, 12, 1899–1919, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-1899-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-1899-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, we used three independent methods (in situ measurements, comparison of digital elevation models and modelling) to reconstruct the mass change from 2000 to 2016 for three glaciers in the Tien Shan and Pamir. Snow lines observed on remote sensing images were used to improve conventional modelling by constraining a mass balance model. As a result, glacier mass changes for unmeasured years and glaciers can be better assessed. Substantial mass loss was confirmed for the three glaciers.
Chiyuki Narama, Mirlan Daiyrov, Murataly Duishonakunov, Takeo Tadono, Hayato Sato, Andreas Kääb, Jinro Ukita, and Kanatbek Abdrakhmatov
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 18, 983–995, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-18-983-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-18-983-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Four large drainages from glacial lakes occurred during 2006–2014 in the western Teskey Range, Kyrgyzstan. These floods caused extensive damage, killing people and livestock, as well as destroying property and crops. Due to their subsurface outlet, we refer to these short-lived glacial lakes as being of the
tunnel-type, a type that drastically grows and drains over a few months.
Solveig H. Winsvold, Andreas Kääb, Christopher Nuth, Liss M. Andreassen, Ward J. J. van Pelt, and Thomas Schellenberger
The Cryosphere, 12, 867–890, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-867-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-867-2018, 2018
Knut Alfredsen, Christian Haas, Jeffrey A. Tuhtan, and Peggy Zinke
The Cryosphere, 12, 627–633, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-627-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-627-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
The formation and breakup of ice on rivers in winter may have impacts on everything from built infrastructure to river ecology. Collecting data on river ice is challenging both technically and because since access to the ice may not always be safe. Here we use a low cost drone to map river ice using aerial imagery and a photogrammetry. Through this we can assess ice volumes, ice extent and ice formation and how ice can affect processes in the river and the utilisation of rivers in winter.
Kristoffer Aalstad, Sebastian Westermann, Thomas Vikhamar Schuler, Julia Boike, and Laurent Bertino
The Cryosphere, 12, 247–270, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-247-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-247-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
We demonstrate how snow cover data from satellites can be used to constrain estimates of snow distributions at sites in the Arctic. In this effort, we make use of data assimilation to combine the information contained in the snow cover data with a simple snow model. By comparing our snow distribution estimates to independent observations, we find that this method performs favorably. Being modular, this method could be applied to other areas as a component of a larger reanalysis system.
B. Altena, A. Mousivand, J. Mascaro, and A. Kääb
Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci., XLII-3-W3, 7–11, https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLII-3-W3-7-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLII-3-W3-7-2017, 2017
Christopher J. L. D'Amboise, Karsten Müller, Laurent Oxarango, Samuel Morin, and Thomas V. Schuler
Geosci. Model Dev., 10, 3547–3566, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-10-3547-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-10-3547-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
We present a new water percolation routine added to the Crocus model. The new routine is physically based, describing motion of water through a layered snowpack considering capillary-driven and gravity flow. We tested the routine on two data sets. Wet-snow layers were able to reach higher saturations than the empirical routine. Meaningful applicability is limited until new and better parameterizations of water retention are developed, and feedbacks are adjusted to handle higher saturations.
Andreas Kääb, Bas Altena, and Joseph Mascaro
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 17, 627–639, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-17-627-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-17-627-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
We evaluate for the first time a new class of optical satellite images for measuring Earth surface displacements due to earthquakes – images from cubesats. The PlanetScope cubesats used in this study are 10 cm × 10 cm × 30 cm small and standardized satellites. Around 120 of these cubesats orbit around Earth and are about to provide daily 2–4 m resolution images of the entire land surface of the Earth.
Luc Girod, Christopher Nuth, Andreas Kääb, Bernd Etzelmüller, and Jack Kohler
The Cryosphere, 11, 827–840, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-827-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-827-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
While gathering data on a changing environment is often a costly and complicated endeavour, it is also the backbone of all research. What if one could measure elevation change by just strapping a camera and a hiking GPS under an helicopter or a small airplane used for transportation and gather data on the ground bellow the flight path? In this article, we present a way to do exactly that and show an example survey where it helped compute the volume of ice lost by a glacier in Svalbard.
Tazio Strozzi, Andreas Kääb, and Thomas Schellenberger
The Cryosphere, 11, 553–566, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-553-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-553-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
The strong atmospheric warming observed since the 1990s in polar regions requires quantifying the contribution to sea level rise of glaciers and ice caps, but for large areas we do not have much information on ice dynamic fluctuations. The recent increase in satellite data opens up new possibilities to monitor ice flow. We observed over Stonebreen on Edgeøya (Svalbard) a strong increase since 2012 in ice surface velocity along with a decrease in volume and an advance in frontal extension.
Thomas Schellenberger, Thorben Dunse, Andreas Kääb, Thomas Vikhamar Schuler, Jon Ove Hagen, and Carleen H. Reijmer
The Cryosphere Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2017-5, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2017-5, 2017
Preprint withdrawn
Short summary
Short summary
Basin-3, NE-Svalbard, was still surging with 10 m d-1 in July 2016. After a speed peak of 18.8 m d-1 in Dec 2012/Jan 2013, speed-ups are overlying the fast flow every summer. The glacier is massively calving icebergs (5.2 Gt yr-1 ~ 2 L drinking water for every human being daily!) which in the same order of magnitude as all other Svalbard glaciers together.
Since autumn 2015 also Basin-2 is surging with maximum velocities of 8.7 m d-1, an advance of more than 2 km and a mass loss of 0.7 Gt yr-1.
Torbjørn Ims Østby, Thomas Vikhamar Schuler, Jon Ove Hagen, Regine Hock, Jack Kohler, and Carleen H. Reijmer
The Cryosphere, 11, 191–215, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-191-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-191-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
We present modelled climatic mass balance for all glaciers in Svalbard for the period 1957–2014 at 1 km resolution using a coupled surface energy balance and snowpack model, thereby closing temporal and spatial gaps in direct and geodetic mass balance estimates.
Supporting previous studies, our results indicate increased mass loss over the period.
A detailed analysis of the involved energy fluxes reveals that increased mass loss is caused by atmospheric warming further amplified by feedbacks.
Désirée Treichler and Andreas Kääb
The Cryosphere, 10, 2129–2146, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-10-2129-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-10-2129-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
Satellite data are often the only source of information on mountain glaciers. We show that data from ICESat laser satellite can accurately reflect glacier volume development in 2003–2008, also for individual years. We detect a spatially varying elevation bias in commonly used data sets, and provide a correction that strongly increases the significance of the glacier change estimates – a crucial driver of climate-induced meltwater changes that directly affect the life of lowland populations.
Kjersti Gisnås, Sebastian Westermann, Thomas Vikhamar Schuler, Kjetil Melvold, and Bernd Etzelmüller
The Cryosphere, 10, 1201–1215, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-10-1201-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-10-1201-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
In wind exposed areas snow redistribution results in large spatial variability in ground temperatures. In these areas, the ground temperature of a grid cell must be determined based on the distribution, and not the average, of snow depths. We employ distribution functions of snow in a regional permafrost model, showing highly improved representation of ground temperatures. By including snow distributions, we find the permafrost area to be nearly twice as large as what is modelled without.
Kjetil S. Aas, Thorben Dunse, Emily Collier, Thomas V. Schuler, Terje K. Berntsen, Jack Kohler, and Bartłomiej Luks
The Cryosphere, 10, 1089–1104, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-10-1089-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-10-1089-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
A high-resolution, coupled atmosphere--climatic mass balance (CMB) model is applied to Svalbard for the period 2003 to 2013. The mean CMB during this period is negative but displays large spatial and temporal variations. Comparison with observations on different scales shows a good overall model performance except for one particular glacier, where wind strongly affects the spatial patterns of CMB. The model also shows considerable sensitivity to model resolution, especially on local scales.
T. Schellenberger, T. Dunse, A. Kääb, J. Kohler, and C. H. Reijmer
The Cryosphere, 9, 2339–2355, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-2339-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-2339-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
Kronebreen and Kongsbreen are among the fastest flowing glaciers on Svalbard, and surface speeds reached up to 3.2m d-1 at Kronebreen in summer 2013 and 2.7m d-1 at Kongsbreen in late autumn 2012 as retrieved from SAR satellite data. Both glaciers retreated significantly during the observation period, Kongsbreen up to 1800m or 2.5km2 and Kronebreen up to 850m or 2.8km2. Both glaciers are important contributors to the total dynamic mass loss from the Svalbard archipelago.
L. Gray, D. Burgess, L. Copland, M. N. Demuth, T. Dunse, K. Langley, and T. V. Schuler
The Cryosphere, 9, 1895–1913, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-1895-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-1895-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
We show that the Cryosat (CS) radar altimeter can measure elevation change on a variety of Arctic ice caps. With the frequent coverage of Cryosat it is even possible to track summer surface height loss due to extensive melt; no other satellite altimeter has been able to do this. However, we also show that under cold conditions there is a bias between the surface and Cryosat detected elevation which varies with the conditions of the upper snow and firn layers.
S. Westermann, T. I. Østby, K. Gisnås, T. V. Schuler, and B. Etzelmüller
The Cryosphere, 9, 1303–1319, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-1303-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-1303-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
We use remotely sensed land surface temperature and land cover in conjunction with air temperature and snowfall from a reanalysis product as input for a simple permafrost model. The scheme is applied to the permafrost regions bordering the North Atlantic. A comparison with ground temperatures in boreholes suggests a modeling accuracy of 2 to 2.5 °C.
A. Kääb, D. Treichler, C. Nuth, and E. Berthier
The Cryosphere, 9, 557–564, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-557-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-557-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
Based on satellite laser altimetry over the Pamir--Karakoram Himalaya we detect strongest elevation losses over east Nyainqentanglha Shan and Spiti--Lahaul but slight elevation gains over west Kunlun Shan rather than over Karakoram. The current sea-level contribution of Pamir--Karakoram Himalaya glaciers is about 10% of the total global contribution of glaciers outside the ice sheets. We also improve estimates of glacier imbalance contribution to river discharge in the Himalayas.
T. Dunse, T. Schellenberger, J. O. Hagen, A. Kääb, T. V. Schuler, and C. H. Reijmer
The Cryosphere, 9, 197–215, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-197-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-197-2015, 2015
K. Gisnås, S. Westermann, T. V. Schuler, T. Litherland, K. Isaksen, J. Boike, and B. Etzelmüller
The Cryosphere, 8, 2063–2074, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-8-2063-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-8-2063-2014, 2014
A. Kääb, L. Girod, and I. Berthling
The Cryosphere, 8, 1041–1056, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-8-1041-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-8-1041-2014, 2014
M. Engelhardt, T. V. Schuler, and L. M. Andreassen
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 18, 511–523, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-511-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-511-2014, 2014
A. Kääb, M. Lamare, and M. Abrams
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 17, 4671–4683, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-17-4671-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-17-4671-2013, 2013
C. Nuth, J. Kohler, M. König, A. von Deschwanden, J. O. Hagen, A. Kääb, G. Moholdt, and R. Pettersson
The Cryosphere, 7, 1603–1621, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-7-1603-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-7-1603-2013, 2013
J. Gardelle, E. Berthier, Y. Arnaud, and A. Kääb
The Cryosphere, 7, 1263–1286, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-7-1263-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-7-1263-2013, 2013
S. Westermann, T. V. Schuler, K. Gisnås, and B. Etzelmüller
The Cryosphere, 7, 719–739, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-7-719-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-7-719-2013, 2013
Related subject area
Discipline: Glaciers | Subject: Instrumentation
Layer-optimized synthetic aperture radar processing with a mobile phase-sensitive radar: a proof of concept for detecting the deep englacial stratigraphy of Colle Gnifetti, Switzerland and Italy
Brief communication: A technique for making in situ measurements at the ice–water boundary of small pieces of floating glacier ice
Spatial characterization of near-surface structure and meltwater runoff conditions across the Devon Ice Cap from dual-frequency radar reflectivity
Topology and spatial-pressure-distribution reconstruction of an englacial channel
Falk M. Oraschewski, Inka Koch, M. Reza Ershadi, Jonathan D. Hawkins, Olaf Eisen, and Reinhard Drews
The Cryosphere, 18, 3875–3889, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-3875-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-3875-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Mountain glaciers have a layered structure which contains information about past snow accumulation and ice flow. Using ground-penetrating radar instruments, the internal structure can be observed. The detection of layers in the deeper parts of a glacier is often difficult. Here, we present a new approach for imaging the englacial structure of an Alpine glacier (Colle Gnifetti, Switzerland and Italy) using a phase-sensitive radar that can detect reflection depth changes at sub-wavelength scales.
Hayden A. Johnson, Oskar Glowacki, Grant B. Deane, and M. Dale Stokes
The Cryosphere, 18, 265–272, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-265-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-265-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This paper is about a way to make measurements close to small pieces of floating glacier ice. This is done by attaching instruments to the ice from a small boat. Making these measurements will be helpful for the study of the physics that goes on at small scales when glacier ice is in contact with ocean water. Understanding these small-scale physics may ultimately help improve our understanding of how much ice in Greenland and Antarctica will melt as a result of warming oceans.
Kristian Chan, Cyril Grima, Anja Rutishauser, Duncan A. Young, Riley Culberg, and Donald D. Blankenship
The Cryosphere, 17, 1839–1852, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-1839-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-1839-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Climate warming has led to more surface meltwater produced on glaciers that can refreeze in firn to form ice layers. Our work evaluates the use of dual-frequency ice-penetrating radar to characterize these ice layers on the Devon Ice Cap. Results indicate that they are meters thick and widespread, and thus capable of supporting lateral meltwater runoff from the top of ice layers. We find that some of this meltwater runoff could be routed through supraglacial rivers in the ablation zone.
Laura Piho, Andreas Alexander, and Maarja Kruusmaa
The Cryosphere, 16, 3669–3683, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-3669-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-3669-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
In this study we develop a novel method to map subsurface water flow paths and spatially reference in situ data from such environments. We demonstrate the feasibility of our method with the reconstruction of the flow path of an englacial channel and the water pressures therein. Our method opens up for direct mapping of subsurface water flow paths, not only in glacier hydrology but also in other applications (e.g., karst caves, pipelines, sewer systems).
Cited articles
Alexander, A.: Sample step-pool sequence from drifter deployment,
https://doi.org/10.5446/45582, 2020. a
Alexander, A., Kruusmaa, M., Tuhtan, J., Hodson, A., Schuler, T. V., and Kääb, A.: Raw data for: Pressure and inertia sensing drifters for glacial hydrology flow path measurements [Data set], Zenodo, https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3660488, 2020. a
Allegretti, M.: Concept for Floating and Submersible Wireless Sensor
Network for Water Basin Monitoring, Lect. Notes Comput. Sc., 06,
104–108, https://doi.org/10.4236/wsn.2014.66011, 2014. a
Almeida, T. G., Walker, D. T., and Warnock, A. M.: Estimating River
Bathymetry from Surface Velocity Observations Using Variational Inverse
Modeling, J. Atmos. Ocean. Tech., 35, 21–34,
https://doi.org/10.1175/JTECH-D-17-0075.1, 2017. a
Arai, S., Sirigrivatanawong, P., and Hashimoto, K.: Control of Water Resource
Monitoring Sensors with Flow Field Estimation for Low Energy Consumption, in:
11th IEEE International Conference on Control Automation (ICCA),
1037–1044, https://doi.org/10.1109/ICCA.2014.6871063, 2014. a, b
Bagshaw, E., Lishman, B., Wadham, J., Bowden, J., Burrow, S., Clare, L., and
Chandler, D.: Novel Wireless Sensors for in Situ Measurement of Sub-Ice
Hydrologic Systems, Ann. Glaciol., 55, 41–50,
https://doi.org/10.3189/2014AoG65A007, 2014. a, b, c
Bagshaw, E. A., Burrow, S., Wadham, J. L., Bowden, J., Lishman, B., Salter, M.,
Barnes, R., and Nienow, P.: E-Tracers: Development of a Low Cost Wireless
Technique for Exploring Sub-Surface Hydrological Systems, Hydrol.
Process., 26, 3157–3160, https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.9451, 2012. a, b, c, d
Bartholomew, I., Nienow, P., Sole, A., Mair, D., Cowton, T., and King, M. A.:
Short-Term Variability in Greenland Ice Sheet Motion Forced by
Time-Varying Meltwater Drainage: Implications for the Relationship
between Subglacial Drainage System Behavior and Ice Velocity, J.
Geophys. Res.-Earth, 117, F03002,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2011JF002220, 2012. a
Behar, A., Wang, H., Elliot, A., O'Hern, S., Lutz, C., Martin, S., Steffen, K.,
McGrath, D., and Phillips, T.: The Moulin Explorer: A Novel Instrument to
Study Greenland Ice Sheet Melt-Water Flow, IOP C. Ser. Earth
Env., 6, 012020, https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1307/6/1/012020,
2009. a
Boydstun, D., Farich, M., III, J. M., Rubinson, S., Smith, Z., and Rekleitis,
I.: Drifter Sensor Network for Environmental Monitoring, in: 2015
12th Conference on Computer and Robot Vision, 16–22,
https://doi.org/10.1109/CRV.2015.10, 2015. a, b, c
Chandler, D. M., Wadham, J. L., Lis, G. P., Cowton, T., Sole, A., Bartholomew,
I., Telling, J., Nienow, P., Bagshaw, E. B., Mair, D., Vinen, S., and
Hubbard, A.: Evolution of the Subglacial Drainage System beneath the
Greenland Ice Sheet Revealed by Tracers, Nat. Geosci., 6, 195–198,
https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo1737, 2013. a
Cohen, J.: A Power Primer, Psychol. Bull., 112, 155–159,
https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.112.1.155, 1992. a, b
Curran, J. H. and Wohl, E. E.: Large Woody Debris and Flow Resistance in
Step-Pool Channels, Cascade Range, Washington, Geomorphology, 51,
141–157, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-555X(02)00333-1, 2003. a
Decaux, L., Grabiec, M., Ignatiuk, D., and Jania, J.: Role of discrete water recharge from supraglacial drainage systems in modeling patterns of subglacial conduits in Svalbard glaciers, The Cryosphere, 13, 735–752, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-735-2019, 2019. a
D'Este, C., Barnes, M., Sharman, C., and McCulloch, J.: A Low-Cost, Long-Life,
Drifting Sensor for Environmental Monitoring of Rivers and Estuaries, in:
2012 Oceans–Yeosu, 1–6,
https://doi.org/10.1109/OCEANS-Yeosu.2012.6263393, 2012. a
Diez, A., Matsuoka, K., Jordan, T. A., Kohler, J., Ferraccioli, F., Corr,
H. F., Olesen, A. V., Forsberg, R., and Casal, T. G.: Patchy Lakes and
Topographic Origin for Fast Flow in the Recovery Glacier System,
East Antarctica, J. Geophys. Res.-Earth, 124,
287–304, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JF004799, 2019. a
Flowers, G. E.: Hydrology and the Future of the Greenland Ice Sheet, Nat.
Commun., 9, 2729, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-05002-0, 2018. a
Fountain, A. G.: Geometry and Flow Conditions of Subglacial Water at South
Cascade Glacier, Washington State, U.S.A.; an Analysis of
Tracer Injections, J. Glaciol., 39, 143–156,
https://doi.org/10.3189/S0022143000015793, 1993. a
Germain, S. L. S. and Moorman, B. J.: The Development of a Pulsating
Supraglacial Stream, Ann. Glaciol., 57, 31–38,
https://doi.org/10.1017/aog.2016.16, 2016. a
Gleason, C. J., Smith, L. C., Chu, V. W., Legleiter, C. J., Pitcher, L. H.,
Overstreet, B. T., Rennermalm, A. K., Forster, R. R., and Yang, K.:
Characterizing Supraglacial Meltwater Channel Hydraulics on the Greenland
Ice Sheet from in Situ Observations, Earth Surf. Proc. Land.,
41, 2111–2122, https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.3977, 2016. a, b
Gulley, J., Benn, D., Müller, D., and Luckman, A.: A Cut-and-Closure Origin
for Englacial Conduits in Uncrevassed Regions of Polythermal Glaciers,
J. Glaciol., 55, 66–80, https://doi.org/10.3189/002214309788608930, 2009. a, b
Hasnain, S. I., Jose, P. G., Ahmad, S., and Negi, D. C.: Character of the
Subglacial Drainage System in the Ablation Area of Dokriani Glacier,
India, as Revealed by Dye-Tracer Studies, J. Hydrol., 248,
216–223, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-1694(01)00404-8, 2001. a
Hou, H., Deng, Z., Martinez, J., Fu, T., Duncan, J., Johnson, G., Lu, J.,
Skalski, J., Townsend, R., and Tan, L.: A Hydropower Biological Evaluation
Toolset (HBET) for Characterizing Hydraulic Conditions and Impacts of
Hydro-Structures on Fish, Energies, 11, 990, https://doi.org/10.3390/en11040990, 2018. a
Isenko, E., Naruse, R., and Mavlyudov, B.: Water Temperature in Englacial and
Supraglacial Channels: Change along the Flow and Contribution to Ice
Melting on the Channel Wall, Cold Reg. Sci. Technol., 42, 53–62,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2004.12.003, 2005. a
Jaffe, J. S., Franks, P. J. S., Roberts, P. L. D., Mirza, D., Schurgers, C.,
Kastner, R., and Boch, A.: A Swarm of Autonomous Miniature Underwater Robot
Drifters for Exploring Submesoscale Ocean Dynamics, Nat. Commun., 8,
14189, https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms14189, 2017. a, b, c
Jarosch, A. H. and Gudmundsson, M. T.: A numerical model for meltwater channel evolution in glaciers, The Cryosphere, 6, 493–503, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-6-493-2012, 2012. a
Kriewitz-Byun, C. R., Tuthan, J. A., Gert, T., Albayrak, I., Kammerer, S.,
Vetsch, D. F., Peter, A., Stoltz, U., Gabl, W., and Marbacher, D.: Research
Overview on Multi-Species Downstream Migration Measures at the
Fithydro Test Case HPP Bannwil, in: 12th International Symposium on
Ecohydraulics (ISE 2018), 2018. a
Kullback, S. and Leibler, R. A.: On Information and Sufficiency,
Ann. Math. Stat., 22, 79–86, https://doi.org/10.1214/aoms/1177729694,
1951. a
Landon, K. C., Wilson, G. W., Özkan-Haller, H. T., and MacMahan, J. H.:
Bathymetry Estimation Using Drifter-Based Velocity Measurements on
the Kootenai River, Idaho, J. Atmos. Ocean.
Tech., 31, 503–514, https://doi.org/10.1175/JTECH-D-13-00123.1, 2014. a, b
Lin, Z., Xiong, Y., Dai, H., and Xia, X.: An Experimental Performance
Evaluation of the Orientation Accuracy of Four Nine-Axis MEMS
Motion Sensors, in: 2017 5th International Conference on Enterprise
Systems (ES), 185–189, https://doi.org/10.1109/ES.2017.37, 2017. a
Lock, G. S. H.: The Growth and Decay of Ice, Cambridge University Press,
1990. a
Marchant, R., Reading, D., Ridd, J., Campbell, S., and Ridd, P.: A Drifter for
Measuring Water Turbidity in Rivers and Coastal Oceans, Mar. Pollut.
Bull., 91, 102–106, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.12.021, 2015. a
Meire, L., Mortensen, J., Meire, P., Juul-Pedersen, T., Sejr, M. K., Rysgaard,
S., Nygaard, R., Huybrechts, P., and Meysman, F. J. R.: Marine-Terminating
Glaciers Sustain High Productivity in Greenland Fjords, Glob. Change
Biol., 23, 5344–5357, https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.13801, 2017. a
Nienow, P., Sharp, M., and Willis, I.: Seasonal Changes in the Morphology of
the Subglacial Drainage System, Haut Glacier d'Arolla,
Switzerland, Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 23, 825–843,
https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1096-9837(199809)23:9<825::AID-ESP893>3.0.CO;2-2, 1998. a
Oroza, C., Tinka, A., Wright, P. K., and Bayen, A. M.: Design of a Network of
Robotic Lagrangian Sensors for Shallow Water Environments with Case
Studies for Multiple Applications, P. I.
Mech. Eng. C-J. Mec., 227,
2531–2548, https://doi.org/10.1177/0954406213475947, 2013. a
Postacchini, M., Centurioni, L. R., Braasch, L., Brocchini, M., and Vicinanza,
D.: Lagrangian Observations of Waves and Currents From the
River Drifter, IEEE J. Oceanic Eng., 41, 94–104,
https://doi.org/10.1109/JOE.2015.2418171, 2016. a
Reverdin, G., Boutin, J., Martin, N., Lourenco, A., Bouruet-Aubertot, P.,
Lavin, A., Mader, J., Blouch, P., Rolland, J., Gaillard, F., and Lazure, P.:
Temperature Measurements from Surface Drifters, J.
Atmos. Ocean. Tech., 27, 1403–1409,
https://doi.org/10.1175/2010JTECHO741.1, 2010. a
Röthlisberger, H.: Water Pressure in Intra- and Subglacial
Channels, J. Glaciol., 11, 177–203,
https://doi.org/10.3189/S0022143000022188, 1972. a
Schoof, C.: Ice-Sheet Acceleration Driven by Melt Supply Variability, Nature,
468, p. 803, https://doi.org/10.1038/nature09618, 2010. a
Schuler, T. V. and Fischer, U. H.: Modeling the Diurnal Variation of Tracer
Transit Velocity through a Subglacial Channel, J. Geophys.
Res., 114, F04017, https://doi.org/10.1029/2008JF001238, 2009. a
Seaberg, S. Z., Seaberg, J. Z., Hooke, R. L., and Wiberg, D. W.: Character of
the Englacial and Subglacial Drainage System in the Lower Part of
the Ablation Area of Storglaciären, Sweden, as Revealed
by Dye-Trace Studies, J. Glaciol., 34, 217–227,
https://doi.org/10.3189/S0022143000032263, 1988.
a
Stockdale, R. J., McLelland, S. J., Middleton, R., and Coulthard, T. J.:
Measuring River Velocities Using GPS River Flow Tracers (GRiFTers),
Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 33, 1315–1322,
https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.1614, 2008. a
Swift, D. A., Nienow, P. W., and Hoey, T. B.: Basal Sediment Evacuation by
Subglacial Meltwater: Suspended Sediment Transport from Haut Glacier
d'Arolla, Switzerland, Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 30,
867–883, https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.1197, 2005. a
TE connectivity sensors: MS5837-02BA: Ultra-Small Gel Filled
Pressure & Temperature Sensor, with Stainless Steel Cap,
available at: https://www.te.com/global-en/product-CAT-BLPS0059.html (last access: 28 October 2019), 2017. a
Tinka, A., Strub, I., Wu, Q., and Bayen, A. M.: Quadratic Programming Based
Data Assimilation with Passive Drifting Sensors for Shallow Water Flows, in:
Proceedings of the 48h IEEE Conference on Decision and Control
(CDC) Held Jointly with 2009 28th Chinese Control Conference,
7614–7620, https://doi.org/10.1109/CDC.2009.5399663, 2009. a
Tinka, A., Rafiee, M., and Bayen, A. M.: Floating Sensor Networks for
River Studies, IEEE Syst. J., 7, 36–49,
https://doi.org/10.1109/JSYST.2012.2204914, 2013. a, b, c, d
Urbanski, J. A., Stempniewicz, L., Węsławski, J. M.,
Dragańska-Deja, K., Wochna, A., Goc, M., and Iliszko, L.: Subglacial
Discharges Create Fluctuating Foraging Hotspots for Sea Birds in
Tidewater Glacier Bays, Sci. Rep., 7, 43999,
https://doi.org/10.1038/srep43999, 2017. a
Vatne, G. and Irvine-Fynn, T. D. L.: Morphological dynamics of an englacial channel, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 20, 2947–2964, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-2947-2016, 2016. a
Werder, M. A., Hewitt, I. J., Schoof, C. G., and Flowers, G. E.: Modeling
Channelized and Distributed Subglacial Drainage in Two Dimensions, J.
Geophys. Res.-Earth, 118, 2140–2158,
https://doi.org/10.1002/jgrf.20146, 2013. a
Willis, I. C., Sharp, M. J., and Richards, K. S.: Configuration of the
Drainage System of Midtdalsbreen, Norway, as Indicated by
Dye-Tracing Experiments, J. Glaciol., 36, 89–101,
https://doi.org/10.3189/S0022143000005608, 1990. a
Willis, I. C., Fitzsimmons, C. D., Melvold, K., Andreassen, L. M., and Giesen,
R. H.: Structure, Morphology and Water Flux of a Subglacial Drainage System,
Midtdalsbreen, Norway, Hydrol. Process., 26, 3810–3829,
https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.8431, 2012. a
Xanthidis, M., Li, A. Q., and Rekleitis, I.: Shallow Coral Reef Surveying by
Inexpensive Drifters, in: OCEANS 2016 – Shanghai, 1–9,
https://doi.org/10.1109/OCEANSAP.2016.7485639, 2016. a
Zhao, Y., Görne, L., Yuen, I.-M., Cao, D., Sullman, M., Auger, D., Lv, C.,
Wang, H., Matthias, R., Skrypchuk, L., and Mouzakitis, A.: An Orientation
Sensor-Based Head Tracking System for Driver Behaviour Monitoring,
Sensors, 17, 2692, https://doi.org/10.3390/s17112692, 2017. a
Short summary
This work shows the potential of pressure and inertia sensing drifters to measure flow parameters along glacial channels. The technology allows us to record the spatial distribution of water pressures, as well as an estimation of the flow velocity along the flow path in the channels. The measurements show a high repeatability and the potential to identify channel morphology from sensor readings.
This work shows the potential of pressure and inertia sensing drifters to measure flow...
