Authors: Hanna, Edward; Huybrechts, Philippe; Mote, Thomas L.

Source: Annals of Glaciology, Volume 35, Number 1, 1 January 2002 , pp. 67-72(6)

Publisher: International Glaciological Society

Abstract:

Weused surface climate fields from high-resolution (~0.56×0.56°) European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) operational analyses (1992-98), together with meteorological and glaciological models of snow accumulation and surface meltwater runoff/retention, to produce novel maps of Greenland ice sheet (GIS) net accumulation, net runoff and surface mass balance (SMB).We compared our runoff maps with similar-scaled runoff (melt minus refreezing) maps based on passivemicrowave satellite data. Our gross spatial/temporal patterns of runoff compared well with those from the satellite data, although amounts of modelled runoff are likely too low.Mean accumulation was 0.287 (0.307) m a^-1, and mean runoff was 0.128 (0.151)m a^-1, averaged across the W. Abdalati (T. L. Mote) GIS mask. Corresponding mean SMB was 0.159 (0.156) m a^-1, with considerable interannual variability (standard deviation ~0.11m a^-1) primarily due to variations in runoff. Considering best estimates of current iceberg calving, overall the GIS is probably currently losing mass. Our study shows great promise for meaningfully modelling SMB based on forthcoming ''second-generation'' ECMWF re-analysis (ERA-40) data, and comparing the results with ongoing laser/radar measurements of surface elevation. This should help elucidate to what extent surface elevation changes are caused by short-term SMB variations or other factors (e.g. ice dynamics).

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/172756402781816744

Publication date: 2002-01-01

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• The Annals of Glaciology is a peer-reviewed, thematic journal published 2 to 4 times a year by the International Glaciological Society (IGS). Publication frequency is determined and volume/issue numbers assigned by the IGS Council on a year-to-year basis and with a lead time of 3 to 4 years. The Annals of Glaciology is included in the ISI Science Citation Index from volume 50, number 50 onwards.

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