Using 3D turbulence-resolving simulations to understand the impact of surface properties on the energy balance of a debris-covered glacier

Bonekamp, Pleun N. J.; van Heerwaarden, Chiel C.; Steiner, Jakob F.; Immerzeel, Walter W.

doi:https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-1611-2020

Articles | Volume 14, issue 5

https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-1611-2020

© Author(s) 2020. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-1611-2020

© Author(s) 2020. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Articles | Volume 14, issue 5

Research article

|

26 May 2020

Research article |

| 26 May 2020

Using 3D turbulence-resolving simulations to understand the impact of surface properties on the energy balance of a debris-covered glacier

Pleun N. J. Bonekamp, Chiel C. van Heerwaarden, Jakob F. Steiner, and Walter W. Immerzeel

Data sets

Simulation output of Lirung glacier P. N. J. Bonekamp, C. C. van Heerwaarden, J. F. Steiner, and W. W. Immerzeel https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3375325

Simulation output of Lirung glacier - REAL simulation P. N. J. Bonekamp, C. C. van Heerwaarden, J. F. Steiner, and W. W. Immerzeel https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3375489

Video supplement

Supporting videos of (ice cliffs of) Lirung glacier P. N. J. Bonekamp, C. C. van Heerwaarden, J. F. Steiner, and W. W. Immerzeel https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3375332

Short summary

Drivers controlling melt of debris-covered glaciers are largely unknown. With a 3D turbulence-resolving model the impact of surface properties of debris on micrometeorological variables and the conductive heat flux is shown. Also, we show ice cliffs are local melt hot spots and that turbulent fluxes and local heat advection amplify spatial heterogeneity on the surface.This work is important for glacier mass balance modelling and for the understanding of the evolution of debris-covered glaciers.