Articles | Volume 16, issue 10
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-4251-2022
© Author(s) 2022. 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-16-4251-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Effects of topographic and meteorological parameters on the surface area loss of ice aprons in the Mont Blanc massif (European Alps)
Suvrat Kaushik
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
EDYTEM, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, 73000
Chambéry, France
LISTIC, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, Polytech, 74944 Annecy-le-Vieux,
France
Ludovic Ravanel
EDYTEM, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, 73000
Chambéry, France
Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo, Sem Sælands vei 1,
0371 Oslo, Norway
Florence Magnin
EDYTEM, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, 73000
Chambéry, France
Yajing Yan
LISTIC, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, Polytech, 74944 Annecy-le-Vieux,
France
Emmanuel Trouve
LISTIC, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, Polytech, 74944 Annecy-le-Vieux,
France
Diego Cusicanqui
IGE, Université Grenoble Alpes – CNRS, 38000 Grenoble, France
Related authors
S. Kaushik, S. Leinss, L. Ravanel, E. Trouvé, Y. Yan, and F. Magnin
ISPRS Ann. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci., V-3-2022, 325–332, https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-annals-V-3-2022-325-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-annals-V-3-2022-325-2022, 2022
S. Kaushik, L. Ravanel, F. Magnin, Y. Yan, E. Trouve, and D. Cusicanqui
Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci., XLIII-B3-2021, 469–475, https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLIII-B3-2021-469-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLIII-B3-2021-469-2021, 2021
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.
Matan Ben-Asher, Florence Magnin, Sebastian Westermann, Josué Bock, Emmanuel Malet, Johan Berthet, Ludovic Ravanel, and Philip Deline
Earth Surf. Dynam., 11, 899–915, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-11-899-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-11-899-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Quantitative knowledge of water availability on high mountain rock slopes is very limited. We use a numerical model and field measurements to estimate the water balance at a steep rock wall site. We show that snowmelt is the main source of water at elevations >3600 m and that snowpack hydrology and sublimation are key factors. The new information presented here can be used to improve the understanding of thermal, hydrogeological, and mechanical processes on steep mountain rock slopes.
Justyna Czekirda, Bernd Etzelmüller, Sebastian Westermann, Ketil Isaksen, and Florence Magnin
The Cryosphere, 17, 2725–2754, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-2725-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-2725-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We assess spatio-temporal permafrost variations in selected rock walls in Norway over the last 120 years. Ground temperature is modelled using the two-dimensional ground heat flux model CryoGrid 2D along nine profiles. Permafrost probably occurs at most sites. All simulations show increasing ground temperature from the 1980s. Our simulations show that rock wall permafrost with a temperature of −1 °C at 20 m depth could thaw at this depth within 50 years.
Benjamin Lehmann, Robert S. Anderson, Xavier Bodin, Diego Cusicanqui, Pierre G. Valla, and Julien Carcaillet
Earth Surf. Dynam., 10, 605–633, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-10-605-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-10-605-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Rock glaciers are some of the most frequently occurring landforms containing ice in mountain environments. Here, we use field observations, analysis of aerial and satellite images, and dating methods to investigate the activity of the rock glacier of the Vallon de la Route in the French Alps. Our results suggest that the rock glacier is characterized by two major episodes of activity and that the rock glacier system promotes the maintenance of mountain erosion.
L. Charrier, Y. Yan, E. Colin Koeniguer, J. Mouginot, R. Millan, and E. Trouvé
ISPRS Ann. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci., V-3-2022, 311–318, https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-annals-V-3-2022-311-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-annals-V-3-2022-311-2022, 2022
S. Kaushik, S. Leinss, L. Ravanel, E. Trouvé, Y. Yan, and F. Magnin
ISPRS Ann. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci., V-3-2022, 325–332, https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-annals-V-3-2022-325-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-annals-V-3-2022-325-2022, 2022
Jacques Mourey, Pascal Lacroix, Pierre-Allain Duvillard, Guilhem Marsy, Marco Marcer, Emmanuel Malet, and Ludovic Ravanel
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 22, 445–460, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-22-445-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-22-445-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
More frequent rockfalls in high alpine environments due to climate change are a growing threat to mountaineers. This hazard is particularly important on the classic route up Mont Blanc. Our results show that rockfalls are most frequent during snowmelt periods and the warmest hours of the day, and that mountaineers do not adapt to the local rockfall hazard when planning their ascent. Disseminating the knowledge acquired from our study caused management measures to be implemented for the route.
Bernd Etzelmüller, Justyna Czekirda, Florence Magnin, Pierre-Allain Duvillard, Ludovic Ravanel, Emanuelle Malet, Andreas Aspaas, Lene Kristensen, Ingrid Skrede, Gudrun D. Majala, Benjamin Jacobs, Johannes Leinauer, Christian Hauck, Christin Hilbich, Martina Böhme, Reginald Hermanns, Harald Ø. Eriksen, Tom Rune Lauknes, Michael Krautblatter, and Sebastian Westermann
Earth Surf. Dynam., 10, 97–129, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-10-97-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-10-97-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
This paper is a multi-authored study documenting the possible existence of permafrost in permanently monitored rockslides in Norway for the first time by combining a multitude of field data, including geophysical surveys in rock walls. The paper discusses the possible role of thermal regime and rockslide movement, and it evaluates the possible impact of atmospheric warming on rockslide dynamics in Norwegian mountains.
S. Kaushik, L. Ravanel, F. Magnin, Y. Yan, E. Trouve, and D. Cusicanqui
Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci., XLIII-B3-2021, 469–475, https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLIII-B3-2021-469-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLIII-B3-2021-469-2021, 2021
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.
Christian Vincent, Diego Cusicanqui, Bruno Jourdain, Olivier Laarman, Delphine Six, Adrien Gilbert, Andrea Walpersdorf, Antoine Rabatel, Luc Piard, Florent Gimbert, Olivier Gagliardini, Vincent Peyaud, Laurent Arnaud, Emmanuel Thibert, Fanny Brun, and Ugo Nanni
The Cryosphere, 15, 1259–1276, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-1259-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-1259-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
In situ glacier point mass balance data are crucial to assess climate change in different regions of the world. Unfortunately, these data are rare because huge efforts are required to conduct in situ measurements on glaciers. Here, we propose a new approach from remote sensing observations. The method has been tested on the Argentière and Mer de Glace glaciers (France). It should be possible to apply this method to high-spatial-resolution satellite images and on numerous glaciers in the world.
G. Marsy, F. Vernier, X. Bodin, D. Cusicanqui, W. Castaings, and E. Trouvé
ISPRS Ann. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci., V-2-2020, 459–466, https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-annals-V-2-2020-459-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-annals-V-2-2020-459-2020, 2020
Florence Magnin, Bernd Etzelmüller, Sebastian Westermann, Ketil Isaksen, Paula Hilger, and Reginald L. Hermanns
Earth Surf. Dynam., 7, 1019–1040, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-7-1019-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-7-1019-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
This study proposes the first permafrost (i.e. ground with temperature permanently < 0 °C) map covering the steep rock slopes of Norway. It was created by using rock temperature data collected at the near surface of 25 rock walls spread across the country between 2010 and 2018. The map shows that permafrost mostly exists above 1300–1400 m a.s.l. in southern Norway and close to sea level in northern Norway. The results have strong potential for the study of rock wall sliding and failure.
Florence Magnin, Jean-Yves Josnin, Ludovic Ravanel, Julien Pergaud, Benjamin Pohl, and Philip Deline
The Cryosphere, 11, 1813–1834, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-1813-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-1813-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Permafrost degradation in high mountain rock walls provokes destabilisation, constituting a threat for human activities. In the Mont Blanc massif, more than 700 rockfalls have been inventoried in recent years (2003, 2007–2015). Understanding permafrost evolution is thus crucial to sustain this densely populated area. This study investigates the changes in rock wall permafrost from 1850 to the recent period and possible optimistic or pessimistic evolutions during the 21st century.
F. Magnin, P. Deline, L. Ravanel, J. Noetzli, and P. Pogliotti
The Cryosphere, 9, 109–121, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-109-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-109-2015, 2015
Related subject area
Discipline: Ice sheets | Subject: Geomorphology
Dynamical response of the southwestern Laurentide Ice Sheet to rapid Bølling–Allerød warming
Geomorphology and shallow sub-sea-floor structures underneath the Ekström Ice Shelf, Antarctica
Formation of ribbed bedforms below shear margins and lobes of palaeo-ice streams
A quasi-annual record of time-transgressive esker formation: implications for ice-sheet reconstruction and subglacial hydrology
Ice-stream flow switching by up-ice propagation of instabilities along glacial marginal troughs
Basal control of supraglacial meltwater catchments on the Greenland Ice Sheet
How dynamic are ice-stream beds?
Subglacial drainage patterns of Devon Island, Canada: detailed comparison of rivers and subglacial meltwater channels
Sophie L. Norris, Martin Margold, David J. A. Evans, Nigel Atkinson, and Duane G. Froese
The Cryosphere, 18, 1533–1559, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-1533-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-1533-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Associated with climate change between the Last Glacial Maximum and the current interglacial period, we reconstruct the behaviour of the southwestern Laurentide Ice Sheet, which covered the Canadian Prairies, using detailed landform mapping. Our reconstruction depicts three shifts in the ice sheet’s dynamics. We suggest these changes resulted from ice sheet thinning triggered by abrupt climatic change. However, we show that regional lithology and topography also play an important role.
Astrid Oetting, Emma C. Smith, Jan Erik Arndt, Boris Dorschel, Reinhard Drews, Todd A. Ehlers, Christoph Gaedicke, Coen Hofstede, Johann P. Klages, Gerhard Kuhn, Astrid Lambrecht, Andreas Läufer, Christoph Mayer, Ralf Tiedemann, Frank Wilhelms, and Olaf Eisen
The Cryosphere, 16, 2051–2066, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2051-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2051-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
This study combines a variety of geophysical measurements in front of and beneath the Ekström Ice Shelf in order to identify and interpret geomorphological evidences of past ice sheet flow, extent and retreat.
The maximal extent of grounded ice in this region was 11 km away from the continental shelf break.
The thickness of palaeo-ice on the calving front around the LGM was estimated to be at least 305 to 320 m.
We provide essential boundary conditions for palaeo-ice-sheet models.
Jean Vérité, Édouard Ravier, Olivier Bourgeois, Stéphane Pochat, Thomas Lelandais, Régis Mourgues, Christopher D. Clark, Paul Bessin, David Peigné, and Nigel Atkinson
The Cryosphere, 15, 2889–2916, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-2889-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-2889-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Subglacial bedforms are commonly used to reconstruct past glacial dynamics and investigate processes occuring at the ice–bed interface. Using analogue modelling and geomorphological mapping, we demonstrate that ridges with undulating crests, known as subglacial ribbed bedforms, are ubiquitous features along ice stream corridors. These bedforms provide a tantalizing glimpse into (1) the former positions of ice stream margins, (2) the ice lobe dynamics and (3) the meltwater drainage efficiency.
Stephen J. Livingstone, Emma L. M. Lewington, Chris D. Clark, Robert D. Storrar, Andrew J. Sole, Isabelle McMartin, Nico Dewald, and Felix Ng
The Cryosphere, 14, 1989–2004, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-1989-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-1989-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
We map series of aligned mounds (esker beads) across central Nunavut, Canada. Mounds are interpreted to have formed roughly annually as sediment carried by subglacial rivers is deposited at the ice margin. Chains of mounds are formed as the ice retreats. This high-resolution (annual) record allows us to constrain the pace of ice retreat, sediment fluxes, and the style of drainage through time. In particular, we suggest that eskers in general record a composite signature of ice-marginal drainage.
Etienne Brouard and Patrick Lajeunesse
The Cryosphere, 13, 981–996, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-981-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-981-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
Modifications in ice-stream networks have major impacts on ice sheet mass balance and global sea level. However, the mechanisms controlling ice-stream switching remain poorly understood. We report a flow switch in an ice-stream system that occurred on the Baffin Island shelf through the erosion of a marginal trough. Up-ice propagation of ice streams through marginal troughs can lead to the piracy of neighboring ice catchments, which induces an adjacent ice-stream switch and shutdown.
Josh Crozier, Leif Karlstrom, and Kang Yang
The Cryosphere, 12, 3383–3407, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-3383-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-3383-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Understanding ice sheet surface meltwater routing is important for modeling and predicting ice sheet evolution. We determined that bed topography underlying the Greenland Ice Sheet is the primary influence on 1–10 km scale ice surface topography, and on drainage-basin-scale surface meltwater routing. We provide a simple means of predicting the response of surface meltwater routing to changing ice flow conditions and explore the implications of this for subglacial hydrology.
Damon Davies, Robert G. Bingham, Edward C. King, Andrew M. Smith, Alex M. Brisbourne, Matteo Spagnolo, Alastair G. C. Graham, Anna E. Hogg, and David G. Vaughan
The Cryosphere, 12, 1615–1628, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-1615-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-1615-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
This paper investigates the dynamics of ice stream beds using repeat geophysical surveys of the bed of Pine Island Glacier, West Antarctica; 60 km of the bed was surveyed, comprising the most extensive repeat ground-based geophysical surveys of an Antarctic ice stream; 90 % of the surveyed bed shows no significant change despite the glacier increasing in speed by up to 40 % over the last decade. This result suggests that ice stream beds are potentially more stable than previously suggested.
Anna Grau Galofre, A. Mark Jellinek, Gordon R. Osinski, Michael Zanetti, and Antero Kukko
The Cryosphere, 12, 1461–1478, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-1461-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-1461-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Water accumulated at the base of ice sheets is the main driver of glacier acceleration and loss of ice mass in Arctic regions. Previously glaciated landscapes sculpted by this water carry information about how ice sheets collapse and ultimately disappear. The search for these landscapes took us to the high Arctic, to explore channels that formed under kilometers of ice during the last ice age. In this work we describe how subglacial channels look and how they helped to drain an ice sheet.
Cited articles
Alkhasawneh, M. S., Ngah, U. K., Tay, L. T., Mat Isa, N. A., and Al-batah,
M. S.: Determination of Important Topographic Factors for Landslide Mapping
Analysis Using MLP Network, Sci. World J., 2013, 1–12,
https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/415023, 2013.
Baraer, M., Mark, B. G., McKenzie, J. M., Condom, T., Bury, J., Huh, K.-I., Portocarrero, C., Gómez, J., and Rathay, S.: Glacier recession and water resources in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca, J. Glaciol., 58, 134–150, https://doi.org/10.3189/2012JoG11J186, 2012.
Barker, M. L.: Traditional Landscape and Mass Tourism in the Alps,
Geogr. Rev., 72, 395, https://doi.org/10.2307/214593, 1982.
Bauder, A., Funk, M., and Huss, M.: Ice-volume changes of selected glaciers
in the Swiss Alps since the end of the 19th century, Ann. Glaciol., 46,
145–149, https://doi.org/10.3189/172756407782871701, 2007.
Benn, D. I. and Evans, D. J. A.: Glaciers and glaciation, 2nd edn., Hodder education, London, ISBN 978-0-340-90579-1, 2010.
Bhambri, R., Bolch, T., Chaujar, R. K., and Kulshreshtha, S. C.: Glacier
changes in the Garhwal Himalaya, India, from 1968 to 2006 based on remote
sensing, J. Glaciol., 57, 543–556,
https://doi.org/10.3189/002214311796905604, 2011.
Boeckli, L., Brenning, A., Gruber, S., and Noetzli, J.: Permafrost distribution in the European Alps: calculation and evaluation of an index map and summary statistics, The Cryosphere, 6, 807–820, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-6-807-2012, 2012.
Bolch, T., Kulkarni, A., Kaab, A., Huggel, C., Paul, F., Cogley, J. G.,
Frey, H., Kargel, J. S., Fujita, K., Scheel, M., Bajracharya, S., and
Stoffel, M.: The State and Fate of Himalayan Glaciers, Science, 336,
310–314, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1215828, 2012.
Braithwaite, R. J.: Positive degree-day factors for ablation on the
Greenland ice sheet studied by energy-balance modelling, J. Glaciol., 41,
153–160, https://doi.org/10.3189/S0022143000017846, 1995.
Braithwaite, R. J. and Olesen, O. B.: Calculation of Glacier Ablation from
Air Temperature, West Greenland, in: Glacier Fluctuations and Climatic
Change, vol. 6, edited by: Oerlemans, J., Springer Netherlands, Dordrecht,
219–233, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-7823-3_15, 1989.
Calov, R. and Greve, R.: A semi-analytical solution for the positive
degree-day model with stochastic temperature variations, J. Glaciol., 51,
173–175, https://doi.org/10.3189/172756505781829601, 2005.
Cogley, J. G., Hock, R., Rasmussen, L. A., Arendt, A. A., Bauder,
A., Braithwaite, R. J., Jansson, P., Kaser, G., Möller, M., Nicholson,
L., and Zemp, M.: Glossary of glacier mass balance and
related terms, IHP-VII Technical Documents in Hydrology 86, 965, https://doi.org/10.5167/UZH-53475, 2011.
Consortium, R. G. I.: Randolph Glacier Inventory – A Dataset of Global Glacier Outlines, Version 6, Boulder, Colorado USA, NSIDC: National Snow and Ice Data Center,
https://doi.org/10.7265/N5-RGI-60, 2017.
Coppola, E., Raffaele, F., and Giorgi, F.: Impact of climate change on snow melt driven runoff timing over the Alpine region, Clim. Dynam., 51, 1259–1273, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-016-3331-0, 2018.
Davies, B. J., Carrivick, J. L., Glasser, N. F., Hambrey, M. J., and Smellie, J. L.: Variable glacier response to atmospheric warming, northern Antarctic Peninsula, 1988–2009, The Cryosphere, 6, 1031–1048, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-6-1031-2012, 2012.
De Angelis, H.: Hypsometry and sensitivity of the mass balance to changes in
equilibrium-line altitude: the case of the Southern Patagonia Icefield, J.
Glaciol., 60, 14–28, https://doi.org/10.3189/2014JoG13J127, 2014.
DeBeer, C. M. and Sharp, M. J.: Topographic influences on recent changes of
very small glaciers in the Monashee Mountains, British Columbia, Canada, J.
Glaciol., 55, 691–700, https://doi.org/10.3189/002214309789470851, 2009.
Deline, P., Gardent, M., Magnin, F., and Ravanel, L.: The morphodynamics of
the mont blanc massif in a changing cryosphere: a comprehensive review,
Geografiska Annaler: Series A, 94, 265–283,
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0459.2012.00467.x, 2012.
Deline, P., Gruber, S., Delaloye, R., Fischer, L., Geertsema, M., Giardino,
M., Hasler, A., Kirkbride, M., Krautblatter, M., Magnin, F., McColl, S.,
Ravanel, L., and Schoeneich, P.: Ice Loss and Slope Stability in
High-Mountain Regions, in: Snow and Ice-Related Hazards, Risks and
Disasters, Elsevier, 521–561,
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-394849-6.00015-9, 2015.
Eidevåg, T., Thomson, E. S., Kallin, D., Casselgren, J., and Rasmuson,
A.: Angle of repose of snow: An experimental study on cohesive properties,
Cold Reg. Sci. Technol., 194, 103470,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2021.103470, 2022.
Fischer, L., Kääb, A., Huggel, C., and Noetzli, J.: Geology, glacier retreat and permafrost degradation as controlling factors of slope instabilities in a high-mountain rock wall: the Monte Rosa east face, Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 6, 761–772, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-6-761-2006, 2006.
Fischer, M., Huss, M., Barboux, C., and Hoelzle, M.: The New Swiss Glacier Inventory SGI2010: Relevance of Using High-Resolution Source Data in Areas Dominated by Very Small Glaciers, Arc. Antarct. Alp. Res., 46, 933–945, https://doi.org/10.1657/1938-4246-46.4.933, 2014.
Fischer, M., Huss, M., and Hoelzle, M.: Surface elevation and mass changes of all Swiss glaciers 1980–2010, The Cryosphere, 9, 525–540, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-525-2015, 2015.
Frans, C., Istanbulluoglu, E., Lettenmaier, D. P., Clarke, G.,
Bohn, T. J., and Stumbaugh, M.: Implications of decadal
to century scale glacio-hydrological change for water resources of the Hood River basin, OR, USA: Hydrological
Change in the Hood River Basin, Hydrol. Process., 30, 4314–4329, https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.10872, 2016.
Furbish, D. J. and Andrews, J. T.: The Use of Hypsometry to Indicate
Long-Term Stability and Response of Valley Glaciers to Changes in Mass
Transfer, J. Glaciol., 30, 199–211,
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022143000005931, 1984.
Gardent, M., Rabatel, A., Dedieu, J.-P., and Deline, P.: Multitemporal
glacier inventory of the French Alps from the late 1960s to the late 2000s,
Global Planet. Change, 120, 24–37,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloplacha.2014.05.004, 2014.
Garg, P. K., Shukla, A., Tiwari, R. K., and Jasrotia, A. S.: Assessing the
status of glaciers in part of the Chandra basin, Himachal Himalaya: A
multiparametric approach, Geomorphology, 284, 99–114,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2016.10.022, 2017.
Gilbert, A. and Vincent, C.: Atmospheric temperature changes over the 20th century at very high elevations in the European Alps from englacial
temperatures: EUROPEAN ALPS AIR TEMPERATURE CHANGES, Geophys. Res. Lett.,
40, 2102–2108, https://doi.org/10.1002/grl.50401, 2013.
Gruber, S. and Haeberli, W.: Permafrost in steep bedrock slopes and its
temperature-related destabilization following climate change, J. Geophys.
Res., 112, F02S18, https://doi.org/10.1029/2006JF000547, 2007.
Guillet, G. and Ravanel, L.: Variations in surface area of six ice aprons in
the Mont-Blanc massif since the Little Ice Age, J. Glaciol., 66, 777–789,
https://doi.org/10.1017/jog.2020.46, 2020.
Guillet, G., Preunkert, S., Ravanel, L., Montagnat, M., and
Friedrich, R.: Investigation of a cold-based ice apron on a high-mountain permafrost rock wall using ice texture analysis
and micro- 14C dating: a case study of the Triangle du Tacul
ice apron (Mont Blanc massif, France), J. Glaciol., 67, 1205–1212,
https://doi.org/10.1017/jog.2021.65, 2021.
Haeberli, W. and Gruber, S.: Global Warming and Mountain Permafrost, in:
Permafrost Soils, vol. 16, edited by: Margesin, R., Springer Berlin
Heidelberg, Berlin, Heidelberg, 205–218,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-69371-0_14, 2009.
Han, Y. and Oh, J.: Automated Geo/Co-Registration of Multi-Temporal
Very-High-Resolution Imagery, Sensors, 18, 1599,
https://doi.org/10.3390/s18051599, 2018.
Hantel, M., Maurer, C., and Mayer, D.: The snowline climate of the Alps
1961–2010, Theor. Appl. Climatol., 110, 517–537,
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-012-0688-9, 2012.
Hasler, A., Gruber, S., and Haeberli, W.: Temperature variability and offset in steep alpine rock and ice faces, The Cryosphere, 5, 977–988, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-5-977-2011, 2011.
Hock, R.: Temperature index melt modelling in mountain areas, J.
Hydrol., 282, 104–115, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-1694(03)00257-9,
2003.
Hoelzle, M., Haeberli, W., Dischl, M., and Peschke, W.: Secular glacier mass
balances derived from cumulative glacier length changes, Global
Planet. Change, 36, 295–306,
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0921-8181(02)00223-0, 2003.
Höhle, J. and Höhle, M.: Accuracy assessment of digital elevation
models by means of robust statistical methods, ISPRS Journal of
Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, 64, 398–406,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isprsjprs.2009.02.003, 2009.
Hoy, A., Hänsel, S., Skalak, P., Ustrnul, Z., and Bochníček,
O.: The extreme European summer of 2015 in a long-term perspective: EXTREME
EUROPEAN SUMMER OF 2015 IN A LONG-TERM PERSPECTIVE, Int. J. Climatol., 37,
943–962, https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.4751, 2017.
Huss, M., Funk, M., and Ohmura, A.: Strong Alpine glacier melt in the 1940s
due to enhanced solar radiation, Geophys. Res. Lett., 36, L23501,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2009GL040789, 2009.
IPCC: Climate Change 2021, in: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, edited by: Masson-Delmotte, V., Zhai, P., Pirani, A., Connors, S. L., Péan, C., Berger, S., Caud, N., Chen, Y., Goldfarb, L., Gomis, M. I., Huang, M., Leitzell, K., Lonnoy, E., Matthews, J. B. R., Maycock, T. K., Waterfield, T., Yelekçi, O., Yu, R., and Zhou, B., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA, In press, https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009157896, 2021.
Jiskoot, H., Curran, C. J., Tessler, D. L., and Shenton, L. R.: Changes in
Clemenceau Icefield and Chaba Group glaciers, Canada, related to hypsometry,
tributary detachment, length–slope and area–aspect relations, Ann.
Glaciol., 50, 133–143, https://doi.org/10.3189/172756410790595796, 2009.
Johnson, E. and Rupper, S.: An Examination of Physical Processes That
Trigger the Albedo-Feedback on Glacier Surfaces and Implications for
Regional Glacier Mass Balance Across High Mountain Asia, Front. Earth Sci.,
8, 129, https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2020.00129, 2020.
Kaushik, S., Ravanel, L., Magnin, F., Yan, Y., Trouve, E., and Cusicanqui, D.: DISTRIBUTION AND EVOLUTION OF ICE APRONS IN A CHANGING CLIMATE IN THE MONT-BLANC MASSIF (WESTERN EUROPEAN ALPS), Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci., XLIII-B3-2021, 469–475, https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLIII-B3-2021-469-2021, 2021.
Kraaijenbrink, P. D. A., Bierkens, M. F. P., Lutz, A. F., and Immerzeel, W.
W.: Impact of a global temperature rise of 1.5 degrees Celsius on Asia's
glaciers, Nature, 549, 257–60, https://doi.org/10.1038/nature23878, 2017.
Kuroiwa, D., Mizuno, Y., and Takeuchi, M.: Micromeritical properties of
snow., Phys. Snow Ice, 1, 751–772, 1967.
Laha, S., Kumari, R., Singh, S., Mishra, A., Sharma, T., Banerjee, A.,
Nainwal, H. C., and Shankar, R.: Evaluating the contribution of avalanching
to the mass balance of Himalayan glaciers, Ann. Glaciol., 58, 110–118,
https://doi.org/10.1017/aog.2017.27, 2017.
Li, K., Li, H., Wang, L., and Gao, W.: On the relationship between local
topography and small glacier change under climatic warming on Mt. Bogda,
eastern Tian Shan, China, J. Earth Sci., 22, 515–527,
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12583-011-0204-7, 2011.
Liu, T., Kinouchi, T., and Ledezma, F.: Characterization of recent glacier
decline in the Cordillera Real by LANDSAT, ALOS, and ASTER data, Remote Sens. Environ., 137, 158–172,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2013.06.010, 2013.
Lopez, P., Chevallier, P., Favier, V., Pouyaud, B., Ordenes, F., and Oerlemans, J.: A regional view of fluctuations in glacier length in southern South America, Global Planet. Change, 71, 85–108, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloplacha.2009.12.009, 2010.
Magnin, F., Brenning, A., Bodin, X., Deline, P., and Ravanel, L.:
Modélisation statistique de la distribution du permafrost de paroi:
application au massif du Mont Blanc, Geomorphologie, 21, 145–162,
https://doi.org/10.4000/geomorphologie.10965, 2015.
Magnin, F., Westermann, S., Pogliotti, P., Ravanel, L., Deline, P., and
Malet, E.: Snow control on active layer thickness in steep alpine rock walls
(Aiguille du Midi, 3842ma.s.l., Mont Blanc massif), CATENA, 149, 648–662,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2016.06.006, 2017.
Magnin, F., Etzelmüller, B., Westermann, S., Isaksen, K., Hilger, P., and Hermanns, R. L.: Permafrost distribution in steep rock slopes in Norway: measurements, statistical modelling and implications for geomorphological processes, Earth Surf. Dynam., 7, 1019–1040, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-7-1019-2019, 2019.
Mahmoud Sabo, L., Mariun, N., Hizam, H., Mohd Radzi, M. A., and Zakaria, A.:
Estimation of solar radiation from digital elevation model in area of rough
topography, WJE, 13, 453–460, https://doi.org/10.1108/WJE-08-2016-0063,
2016.
Marti, R., Gascoin, S., Berthier, E., de Pinel, M., Houet, T., and Laffly, D.: Mapping snow depth in open alpine terrain from stereo satellite imagery, The Cryosphere, 10, 1361–1380, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-10-1361-2016, 2016.
Meehl, G. A. and Tebaldi, C.: More Intense, More Frequent, and Longer
Lasting Heat Waves in the 21st Century, Science, 305, 994–997,
https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1098704, 2004.
Meier, W. J.-H., Grießinger, J., Hochreuther, P., and Braun, M. H.: An
Updated Multi-Temporal Glacier Inventory for the Patagonian Andes With
Changes Between the Little Ice Age and 2016, Front. Earth Sci., 6, 62,
https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2018.00062, 2018.
Mölg, T.: Ablation and associated energy balance of a horizontal glacier
surface on Kilimanjaro, J. Geophys. Res., 109, D16104,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2003JD004338, 2004.
Mourey, J., Marcuzzi, M., Ravanel, L., and Pallandre, F.: Effects of climate
change on high Alpine mountain environments: Evolution of mountaineering
routes in the Mont Blanc massif (Western Alps) over half a century, Arct.
Antarct. Alp. Res., 51, 176–189,
https://doi.org/10.1080/15230430.2019.1612216, 2019.
Nuth, C. and Kääb, A.: Co-registration and bias corrections of satellite elevation data sets for quantifying glacier thickness change, The Cryosphere, 5, 271–290, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-5-271-2011, 2011.
Oerlemans, J. and Klok, E. J.: Energy Balance of a Glacier Surface: Analysis
of Automatic Weather Station Data from the Morteratschgletscher,
Switzerland, Arct. Antarct. Alp. Res., 34, 477–485,
https://doi.org/10.1080/15230430.2002.12003519, 2002.
Oerlemans, J. and Reichert, B. K.: Relating glacier mass balance to
meteorological data by using a seasonal sensitivity characteristic, J.
Glaciol., 46, 1–6, https://doi.org/10.3189/172756500781833269, 2000.
Oerlemans, J., Anderson, B., Hubbard, A., Huybrechts, P., Jóhannesson,
T., Knap, W. H., Schmeits, M., Stroeven, A. P., van de Wal, R. S. W.,
Wallinga, J., and Zuo, Z.: Modelling the response of glaciers to climate
warming, Clim. Dynam., 14, 267–274,
https://doi.org/10.1007/s003820050222, 1998.
Olson, M. and Rupper, S.: Impacts of topographic shading on direct solar radiation for valley glaciers in complex topography, The Cryosphere, 13, 29–40, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-29-2019, 2019.
Pandey, P. and Venkataraman, G.: Changes in the glaciers of Chandra–Bhaga
basin, Himachal Himalaya, India, between 1980 and 2010 measured using remote
sensing, Int. J. Remote Sens., 34, 5584–5597,
https://doi.org/10.1080/01431161.2013.793464, 2013.
Paul, F., Kääb, A., Maisch, M., Kellenberger, T., and Haeberli,
W.: Rapid disintegration of Alpine glaciers observed with satellite data, Geophys. Res. Lett., 31, L21402,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2004GL020816, 2004.
Paul, F., Barrand, N. E., Baumann, S., Berthier, E., Bolch, T., Casey, K., Frey, H., Joshi, S. P., Konovalov, V., Le Bris, R., Mölg, N., Nosenko, G., Nuth, C., Pope, A., Racoviteanu, A., Rastner, P., Raup, B., Scharrer, K., Steffen, S., and Winsvold, S.: On the accuracy of glacier outlines derived from remote-sensing data, Ann. Glaciol., 54, 171–182, https://doi.org/10.3189/2013AoG63A296, 2013.
Paul, F., Bolch, T., Briggs, K., Kääb, A., McMillan, M., McNabb, R.,
Nagler, T., Nuth, C., Rastner, P., Strozzi, T., and Wuite, J.: Error sources
and guidelines for quality assessment of glacier area, elevation change, and
velocity products derived from satellite data in the Glaciers_cci project, Remote Sens. Environ., 203, 256–275,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2017.08.038, 2017.
Pfeffer, W. T., Arendt, A. A., Bliss, A., Bolch, T., Cogley, J. G., Gardner, A. S., Hagen, J.-O., Hock, R., Kaser, G., Kienholz, C., Miles, E. S., Moholdt, G., Mölg, N., Paul, F., Radić, V., Rastner, P., Raup, B. H., Rich, J., Sharp, M. J., and The Randolph Consortium: The Randolph Glacier Inventory: a globally complete inventory of glaciers, J. Glaciol., 60, 537–552, https://doi.org/10.3189/2014JoG13J176, 2014.
Rabatel, A., Letréguilly, A., Dedieu, J.-P., and Eckert, N.: Changes in glacier equilibrium-line altitude in the western Alps from 1984 to 2010: evaluation by remote sensing and modeling of the morpho-topographic and climate controls, The Cryosphere, 7, 1455–1471, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-7-1455-2013, 2013.
Racoviteanu, A. E., Arnaud, Y., Williams, M. W., and Ordoñez, J.:
Decadal changes in glacier parameters in the Cordillera Blanca, Peru,
derived from remote sensing, J. Glaciol., 54, 499–510,
https://doi.org/10.3189/002214308785836922, 2008.
Rafiq, M. and Mishra, A.: Investigating changes in Himalayan glacier in
warming environment: a case study of Kolahoi glacier, Environ. Earth Sci., 75,
1469, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-016-6282-1, 2016.
Rastner, P., Prinz, R., Notarnicola, C., Nicholson, L., Sailer, R.,
Schwaizer, G., and Paul, F.: On the Automated Mapping of Snow Cover on
Glaciers and Calculation of Snow Line Altitudes from Multi-Temporal Landsat
Data, Remote Sensing, 11, 1410, https://doi.org/10.3390/rs11121410, 2019.
Ravanel, L., Deline, P., Lambiel, C., and Vincent, C.: Instability of a high
alpine rock ridge: the lower arête des cosmiques, mont blanc massif,
france, Geografiska Annaler: Series A, 95, 51–66,
https://doi.org/10.1111/geoa.12000, 2013.
Ravanel, L., Duvillard, P., Jaboyedoff, M., and Lambiel, C.: Recent
evolution of an ice-cored moraine at the Gentianes Pass,
Valais Alps, Switzerland, Land Degrad.
Develop., 29, 3693–3708, https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.3088, 2018.
Salerno, F., Thakuri, S., Tartari, G., Nuimura, T., Sunako, S., Sakai, A.,
and Fujita, K.: Debris-covered glacier anomaly? Morphological factors
controlling changes in the mass balance, surface area, terminus position,
and snow line altitude of Himalayan glaciers, Earth Planet. Sc.
Lett., 471, 19–31, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2017.04.039, 2017.
Sappington, J. M., Longshore, K. M., and Thompson, D. B.: Quantifying
Landscape Ruggedness for Animal Habitat Analysis: A Case Study Using Bighorn
Sheep in the Mojave Desert, J. Wildlife Manage., 71, 1419–1426,
https://doi.org/10.2193/2005-723, 2007.
Scherler, D., Bookhagen, B., and Strecker, M. R.: Spatially variable
response of Himalayan glaciers to climate change affected by debris cover,
Nat. Geosci., 4, 156–159, https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo1068, 2011.
Schweizer, J.: Snow avalanche formation, Rev. Geophys., 41, 1016,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2002RG000123, 2003.
Serquet, G., Marty, C., Dulex, J.-P., and Rebetez, M.: Seasonal
trends and temperature dependence of the snowfall/precipitation day ratio in Switzerland, Geophys. Res. Lett., 38, L07703, https://doi.org/10.1029/2011GL046976, 2011.
Shean, D. E., Alexandrov, O., Moratto, Z. M., Smith, B. E., Joughin, I. R.,
Porter, C., and Morin, P.: An automated, open-source pipeline for mass
production of digital elevation models (DEMs) from very-high-resolution
commercial stereo satellite imagery, ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and
Remote Sensing, 116, 101–117,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isprsjprs.2016.03.012, 2016.
Shukla, A. and Qadir, J.: Differential response of glaciers with varying
debris cover extent: evidence from changing glacier parameters,
Int. J. Remote Sens., 37, 2453–2479,
https://doi.org/10.1080/01431161.2016.1176272, 2016.
Singh, V. P., Singh, P., and Haritashya, U. K.: Encyclopedia of snow,
ice and glaciers, Springer, Dordrecht London, ISBN 978-90-481-2642-2, 2011.
Smith, C. D.: The Relationship between Monthly Precipitation and Elevation
in the Alberta Foothills during the Foothills Orographic Precipitation
Experiment, in: Cold Region Atmospheric and Hydrologic Studies. The
Mackenzie GEWEX Experience, edited by: Woo, M., Springer Berlin Heidelberg,
Berlin, Heidelberg, 167–185,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-73936-4_10, 2008.
Sorg, A., Huss, M., Rohrer, M., and Stoffel, M.: The days of plenty might
soon be over in glacierized Central Asian catchments, Environ. Res. Lett.,
9, 104018, https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/9/10/104018, 2014.
Thibert, E., Dkengne Sielenou, P., Vionnet, V., Eckert, N., and Vincent, C.:
Causes of Glacier Melt Extremes in the Alps Since 1949, Geophys. Res. Lett.,
45, 817–825, https://doi.org/10.1002/2017GL076333, 2018.
Triglav-Čekada, M. and Gabrovec, M.: Documentation of Triglav glacier,
Slovenia, using non-metric panoramic images, Ann. Glaciol., 54, 80–86,
https://doi.org/10.3189/2013AoG62A095, 2013.
Vernay, M., Lafaysse, M., Hagenmuller, P., Nheili, R., Verfaillie,
D., and Morin, S.: The S2M meteorological and snow cover reanalysis in the French mountainous areas (1958–present), Aeris,
https://doi.org/10.25326/37, 2019.
Vincent, C.: Influence of climate change over the 20th Century on four
French glacier mass balances, J. Geophys. Res., 107, 4375,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2001JD000832, 2002.
Vincent, C. and Vallon, M.: Meteorological controls on glacier mass balance:
empirical relations suggested by measurements on glacier de Sarennes,
France, J. Glaciol., 43, 131–137,
https://doi.org/10.3189/S0022143000002896, 1997.
Vionnet, V., Brun, E., Morin, S., Boone, A., Faroux, S., Le Moigne, P., Martin, E., and Willemet, J.-M.: The detailed snowpack scheme Crocus and its implementation in SURFEX v7.2, Geosci. Model Dev., 5, 773–791, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-5-773-2012, 2012.
Warren, C. R.: Terminal environment, topographic control and fluctuations of
West Greenland glaciers, Boreas, 20, 1–15,
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1502-3885.1991.tb00453.x, 2008.
Yalcin, M.: The impact of topographical parameters to the glaciation and
glacial retreat on Mount Ağrı(Ararat), Environ. Earth Sci., 78, 393,
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-019-8374-1, 2019.
Yang, M., Wang, X., Pang, G., Wan, G., and Liu, Z.: The Tibetan Plateau
cryosphere: Observations and model simulations for current status and recent
changes, Earth-Sci. Rev., 190, 353–369,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2018.12.018, 2019.
Yanuarsyah, I. and Khairiah, R. N.: Preliminary Detection Model of Rapid
Mapping Technique for Landslide Susceptibility Zone Using Multi Sensor
Imagery (Case Study in Banjarnegara Regency), IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ.
Sci., 54, 012106, https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/54/1/012106, 2017.
Short summary
Climate change impacts all parts of the cryosphere but most importantly the smaller ice bodies like ice aprons (IAs). This study is the first attempt on a regional scale to assess the impacts of the changing climate on these small but very important ice bodies. Our study shows that IAs have consistently lost mass over the past decades. The effects of climate variables, particularly temperature and precipitation and topographic factors, were analysed on the loss of IA area.
Climate change impacts all parts of the cryosphere but most importantly the smaller ice bodies...