Reanalysing glacier mass balance measurement series

Zemp, M.; Thibert, E.; Huss, Matthias; Stumm, D.; Denby, C. Rolstad; Nuth, C.; Nussbaumer, Samuel U.; Moholdt, G.; Mercer, A.; Mayer, C.; Joerg, P. C.; Jansson, P.; Hynek, B.; Fischer, A.; Escher-Vetter, H.; Elvehøy, H.; Andreassen, L. M.

doi:10.5194/tc-7-1227-2013

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Reanalysing glacier mass balance measurement series

Zemp, M. Department of Geography, University of Zurich, Switzerland
Thibert, E. Erosion Torrentielle, Neige et Avalanches, Saint-Martin-d'Hères, France
Huss, Matthias Department of Geosciences, University of Fribourg, Switzerland
Stumm, D. International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, Kathmandu, Nepal
Denby, C. Rolstad Department of Mathematical Sciences and Technology, The Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
Nuth, C. Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo, Norway
Nussbaumer, Samuel U. Department of Geography, University of Zurich, Switzerland
Moholdt, G. Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, USA
Mercer, A. Department of Physical Geography and Quaternary Geology, Stockholm University, Sweden
Mayer, C. Commission for Geodesy and Glaciology, Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Munich, Germany
Joerg, P. C. Department of Geography, University of Zurich, Switzerland
Jansson, P. Department of Physical Geography and Quaternary Geology, Stockholm University, Sweden
Hynek, B. Zentralanstalt für Meteorologie und Geodynamik, Vienna, Austria
Fischer, A. Institute for Interdisciplinary Mountain Research, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Innsbruck, Austria
Escher-Vetter, H. Commission for Geodesy and Glaciology, Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Munich, Germany
Elvehøy, H. Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate, Oslo, Norway
Andreassen, L. M. Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate, Oslo, Norway

06.08.2013

Published in:

The Cryosphere. - 2013, vol. 7, no. 4, p. 1227-1245

English Glacier-wide mass balance has been measured for more than sixty years and is widely used as an indicator of climate change and to assess the glacier contribution to runoff and sea level rise. Until recently, comprehensive uncertainty assessments have rarely been carried out and mass balance data have often been applied using rough error estimation or without consideration of errors. In this study, we propose a framework for reanalysing glacier mass balance series that includes conceptual and statistical toolsets for assessment of random and systematic errors, as well as for validation and calibration (if necessary) of the glaciological with the geodetic balance results. We demonstrate the usefulness and limitations of the proposed scheme, drawing on an analysis that comprises over 50 recording periods for a dozen glaciers, and we make recommendations to investigators and users of glacier mass balance data. Reanalysing glacier mass balance series needs to become a standard procedure for every monitoring programme to improve data quality, including reliable uncertainty estimates.

Faculty

Faculté des sciences et de médecine

Department

Département de Géosciences

Language