Quantifying mass balance processes on the Southern Patagonia Icefield
Author
dc.contributor.author
Schaefer, M.
Author
dc.contributor.author
Machguth, H.
Author
dc.contributor.author
Falvey, M.
Author
dc.contributor.author
Casassa, G.
Author
dc.contributor.author
Rignot, E.
Admission date
dc.date.accessioned
2015-07-30T14:28:12Z
Available date
dc.date.available
2015-07-30T14:28:12Z
Publication date
dc.date.issued
2015
Cita de ítem
dc.identifier.citation
The Cryosphere, 9, 25–35, 2015
en_US
Identifier
dc.identifier.other
doi:10.5194/tc-9-25-2015
Identifier
dc.identifier.uri
https://repositorio.uchile.cl/handle/2250/132239
General note
dc.description
Artículo de publicación ISI
en_US
Abstract
dc.description.abstract
We present surface mass balance simulations of
the Southern Patagonia Icefield (SPI) driven by downscaled
reanalysis data. The simulations were evaluated and interpreted
using geodetic mass balances, measured point balances
and a complete velocity field of the icefield for spring
2004. The high measured accumulation of snow of up to
15.4 m w.e. yr−1
(meters water equivalent per year) as well
as the high measured ablation of up to 11 m w.e. yr−1
is reproduced
by the model. The overall modeled surface mass
balance was positive and increasing during 1975–2011. Subtracting
the surface mass balance from geodetic balances,
calving fluxes were inferred. Mass losses of the SPI due to
calving were strongly increasing from 1975–2000 to 2000–
2011 and higher than losses due to surface melt. Calving
fluxes were inferred for the individual glacier catchments and
compared to fluxes estimated from velocity data. Measurements
of ice thickness and flow velocities at the glaciers’
front and spatially distributed accumulation measurements
can help to reduce the uncertainties of the different terms in
the mass balance of the Southern Patagonia Icefield.