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Examining the debris cover anomaly at Nyanang Phu Glacier, Tibet
Debris-covered glaciers in High Mountain Asia are expected to undergo slower melt than debris-free glaciers, which is not the case everywhere. The goal of this thesis is to study this debris-cover anomaly on a glacier with two flow units, one debris-covered and one debris-free.
Supraglacial debris has been widely recognized to greatly reduce surface melt by inhibiting the transfer of radiative and atmospheric energy to the ice (e.g. Ostrem, 1959; Nicholson et al, 2006). Yet, paradoxically, glaciers across High Asia appear to be thinning at comparable rates regardless of the presence of debris (e.g. Kaab et al 2012; Gardelle et al 2013). Studies have implicated reduced ice flux, ice cliffs and supraglacial ponds, and glacier elevation differences as contributing factors for this surprising result, but the effects are difficult to disentangle due to differences in setting, size, dynamics, and source areas of glaciers exhibiting thick surface debris or clean ice at the terminus.
Supraglacial debris has been widely recognized to greatly reduce surface melt by inhibiting the transfer of radiative and atmospheric energy to the ice (e.g. Ostrem, 1959; Nicholson et al, 2006). Yet, paradoxically, glaciers across High Asia appear to be thinning at comparable rates regardless of the presence of debris (e.g. Kaab et al 2012; Gardelle et al 2013). Studies have implicated reduced ice flux, ice cliffs and supraglacial ponds, and glacier elevation differences as contributing factors for this surprising result, but the effects are difficult to disentangle due to differences in setting, size, dynamics, and source areas of glaciers exhibiting thick surface debris or clean ice at the terminus.
In this study, we will examine the thinning rates of an unusual glacier in the monsoon-influenced region of Tibet. Nyanang Phu Glacier has two major flow units – one, fed by avalanches, is covered by thick debris, while the other is sourced simply from snowfall and remains clear of debris. The study will determine historic and contemporary thinning rates from satellite stereo imagery, patterns and differences in ice velocity, and specific changes in surface features for this glacier for the last 40 years, then integrate these results to advance our understanding of the effects of surface debris on glacier melt.
In this study, we will examine the thinning rates of an unusual glacier in the monsoon-influenced region of Tibet. Nyanang Phu Glacier has two major flow units – one, fed by avalanches, is covered by thick debris, while the other is sourced simply from snowfall and remains clear of debris. The study will determine historic and contemporary thinning rates from satellite stereo imagery, patterns and differences in ice velocity, and specific changes in surface features for this glacier for the last 40 years, then integrate these results to advance our understanding of the effects of surface debris on glacier melt.
For further information please contact Dr. Francesca Pellicciotti (francesca.pellicciotti@wsl.ch) or Dr. Evan Miles (evan.miles@wsl.ch)
For further information please contact Dr. Francesca Pellicciotti (francesca.pellicciotti@wsl.ch) or Dr. Evan Miles (evan.miles@wsl.ch)