Articles | Volume 14, issue 5
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-1611-2020
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-1611-2020
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

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Cited articles

Ahlers, G., Grossmann, S., and Lohse, D.: Heat transfer and large scale dynamics in turbulent Rayleigh-Bénard convection, Rev. Mod. Phys., 81, 503–538, https://doi.org/10.1103/RevModPhys.81.503, 2009. 
Ansorge, C. and Mellado, J. P.: Analyses of external and global intermittency in the logarithmic layer of Ekman flow, J. Fluid Mech., 805, 611–635, https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2016.534, 2016. 
Axelsen, S. L. and van Dop, H.: Large-eddy simulation of katabatic winds. Part 1: Comparison with observations, Acta Geophys., 57, 803–836, https://doi.org/10.2478/s11600-009-0041-6, 2009a. 
Axelsen, S. L. and van Dop, H.: Large-Eddy simulation of katabatic winds. Part 2: Sensitivity study and comparison with analytical models, Acta Geophys., 57, 837–856, https://doi.org/10.2478/s11600-009-0042-5, 2009b. 
Benn, D. I., Thompson, S., Gulley, J., Mertes, J., Luckman, A., and Nicholson, L.: Structure and evolution of the drainage system of a Himalayan debris-covered glacier, and its relationship with patterns of mass loss, The Cryosphere, 11, 2247–2264, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-2247-2017, 2017. 
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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.