Authors: Schoöner, Wolfgang; Böhm, Reinhard

Source: Annals of Glaciology, Volume 46, Number 1, October 2007 , pp. 161-169(9)

Publisher: International Glaciological Society

Abstract:

Stepwise linear regression models were calibrated against the measured mass balance of glaciers in the Austrian Alps for the prediction of specific annual net balance and summer balance from climatological and topographical input data. For estimation of winter mass balance, a simple ratio between the amount of winter precipitation and the measured winter balance was used. A ratio with a mean value of 2.0 and a standard deviation of 0.44 was derived from the sample of measured winter balances. Climate input data were taken from the HISTALP database which offers a homogenized data source that is outstanding in terms of its spatial and temporal coverage. Data from the Austrian glacier inventory were used as topographical input data. From the group of possible predictors summer air temperature, winter precipitation, summer snow precipitation and continentality (as defined from seasonal temperature variation) were selected as climatological driving forces in addition to lowest glacier elevation and area-weighted mean glacier elevation as topographical driving forces. Summer temperature explains 60% of the variance of summer mass balance and 39% of the variance of annual mass balance. Additional factors increase the explained variance by 22% for summer and 31% for annual net balance. The calibrated mass-balance model was used to reconstruct the mass balance of Hintereisferner and Vernagtferner back to 1800. Whereas the model performs well for Hintereisferner, it fails for some sub-periods for Vernagtferner due to the complicated flow dynamics of the glacier.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/172756407782871639

Publication date: 2007-10-01

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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.

  Themes can be on any aspect of the study of snow and ice. Individual members can make a suggestion for a theme for an Annals issue to the Secretary General, who will forward it to the IGS Publications Committee. The IGS Publication Committee will make a recommendation for an individual themed Annals issue, together with a potential Annals Chief Editor for that issue, to IGS Council. The IGS Council will make the decision whether to proceed, taking into account the spread of topics and the overall capacity for publication of pages in Annals.

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