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Investigating an accident on Corbassière Glacier using an ice flow model.
Glacier models are commonly applied to investigate past and future ice volume evolution, runoff, or hazards scenarios. 3D glacier models also permit to track trajectories of objects buried within the ice. This thesis aims to investigate the spatio-temporal trajectory of the remains of an unfortunate
In September 2021, remains of an unfortunate alpinist was found on the glacier surface of Corbassière Glacier. Police reports and the type of the equipment suggest that it belonged to someone involved in an accident on Grand Combin during the 1970ies. Due to glacier flow, the remains have been transported downhill by the glacier for the past ~50 years, the location at which it was discovered in 2021 therefore does not correspond to the place of the accident.
In September 2021, remains of an unfortunate alpinist was found on the glacier surface of Corbassière Glacier. Police reports and the type of the equipment suggest that it belonged to someone involved in an accident on Grand Combin during the 1970ies. Due to glacier flow, the remains have been transported downhill by the glacier for the past ~50 years, the location at which it was discovered in 2021 therefore does not correspond to the place of the accident.
The goal of this thesis is to model the past evolution of Corbassière Glacier with a 3D glacier evolution model. Once the model has been calibrated and validated against observations of past glacier geometry and velocity, the space-time trajectory of the remains released by the glacier will be reconstructed. This will not only provide information about the location, the timing, and possibly the cause of the fatal accident, but also give an opportunity to assess the model’s accuracy.
The goal of this thesis is to model the past evolution of Corbassière Glacier with a 3D glacier evolution model. Once the model has been calibrated and validated against observations of past glacier geometry and velocity, the space-time trajectory of the remains released by the glacier will be reconstructed. This will not only provide information about the location, the timing, and possibly the cause of the fatal accident, but also give an opportunity to assess the model’s accuracy.
For further information please contact Dr. Mylène Jacquemart (jacquemart@vaw.baug.ethz.ch), or Loris Compagno (compagno@vaw.baug.ethz.ch).
For further information please contact Dr. Mylène Jacquemart (jacquemart@vaw.baug.ethz.ch), or Loris Compagno (compagno@vaw.baug.ethz.ch).