Local Extremes in the Lidar‐Derived Snow Cover of Alpine Glaciers

Snow deposition and redistribution are major drivers of snow cover dynamics in mountainous terrain and contribute to the mass balance of alpine glaciers. The quantitative understanding of inhomogeneous snow distribution in mountains has recently benefited from advances in measuring technologies, such as airborne laser scanning (ALS). This contribution further advances the quantitative understanding of snow distribution by analysing the areas of maximum surface elevation changes in a mountain catchment with large and small glaciers. Using multi‐annual ALS observations, we found extreme surface elevation changes on rather thin borders along the glacier margins. While snow depth distribution patterns in less extreme terrain have presented high inter‐annual persistence, there is little persistence of those extreme glacier accumulations between winters. We therefore interpret the lack of persistence as the result of a predominance of gravity‐driven redistribution, which has an inherently higher random component because it does not occur with all conditions in all winters. In highly crevassed zones, the lidar‐derived surface elevation changes are caused by a complex interaction of ice flux divergence, the propagation of crevasses and snow accumulation. In general, the relative contribution of gravitational mass transport to glacier snow cover volume was found to decrease for glaciers larger than 5 km² in the investigated region. We therefore suggest that extreme accumulations caused by gravitational snow transport play a significant role in the glacier mass balance of small to medium‐size glaciers and that they may be successfully parameterized by simple mass redistribution algorithms, which have been presented in the literature.     

Interpretation of Glaciogenic Complexes From Satellite Images of the Mongun-Taiga Mountain Range

This investigation is concerned with the problem of recognition of glacial landforms in arid mountainous areas of Asia using satellite imagery. We examine the territory of the Mongun-Taiga mountain range located at the interface of the Russian Altai, Sayan and Mongolian Altai mountains which has been studied for many years by geographers of St. Petersburg State University. The mountain range is home to modern glaciers totaling about 20 km in area, and its climate aridity is favorable for the preservation of a large body of evidence of ancient glaciation. The theoretical basis for this effort was provided by the idea of GC, i. e. natural complexes, the morphology and structure of which is formed by modern and ancient glaciations. Using the morphological differences we identified three groups of glaciogenic complexes and assigned their formation time to MIS 4, MIS 2, and to the Late Holocene. Results from comparing data of glacio-geomorphological and paleogeographical studies on the territory of the Mongun-Taiga mountain range with corresponding satellite images were used to develop interpretation standards for different groups of GC, forming the basis for compiling the map of GC of the second and third order for the entire mountain range. Cartometric measurements were used in obtaining the main characteristics of the glaciers of the Mogun-Taiga for ten different time spans. It is found that during the MIS 4 maximum the glaciers advanced to the piedmonts, and their area exceeded the present-day area by more than a factor of 25, with the firn line depression of about 800 m. The largest areas were occupied by glaciers of southward aspects, which is accounted for by a predominance of north-westward moisture-bearing glacial streams at that time. The aspect asymmetry of glaciation persisted during the MIS 2 maximum but it had a valley character. It is established that in the Little Ice Age the area of the glaciers exceeded the present-day area by a factor of 2.4, with the firn line depression of 20 m.     

The dynamics of mountain geosystems in southern Siberia

Using three key areas as an example we examine the tendencies toward changes of the mountain geosystems in southern Siberia caused by fluctuations of climate. Presented are the quantitative parameters of the dynamics of nival-glacial geosystems (glaciers, perennial snow clusters, icings, and stony glaciers). Portions of large-scale maps for the key areas generated for a subsequent monitoring of the mountain geosystems are presented.     

新疆天山山地自然灾害垂直带谱及其特征

分析天山山地由气候原因引起的自然灾害分布的垂直带谱,主要灾害类型有１２种,可分为３个带：（１）基带（暴雨－塌方带）：主要是由中、低山突发性的降雨引起的各种灾害。此带灾害频发时期与最大降水期是同步的。（２）中带（融水－冰冻带）：其灾害大多同温度的变化有密切的关系。（３）上带（风吹雪－雪崩带）：由积雪运动造成的灾害多集中在这里。山地坡向和高度对自然灾害垂直带谱的组成和灾害出现的频率影响很大。由于温度和     

Dynamics of the glaciers of the Turgen-Kharkhira mountain range (Western Mongolia)

On the basis of space-acquired images from the Landsat 7,7 satellites (1992, 2002) and the topographic map at a scale of 1:200 000 (1969), we investigated the patterns of spatio-temporal changes of glaciation of the plexus of the Turgan-Kharkhira mountains (Western Mongolia). The study ascertained the dynamics of the areas and volumes of the glaciers for 33 years as well as the changes in glacier runoff for five mountain river basins.     

近50a来天山博格达峰地区四工河4号冰川表面高程变化特征

基于GIS技术,利用GPS测量数据和1962年地形图分别建立两期DEM,通过对比重点研究了四工河4号冰川1962-2009年冰舌区的表面高程变化特征。结果表明:1962-2009年间,冰舌区平均减薄15±10 m,年均减薄约0.32±0.2 m,冰储量亏损达(14.3±9.5)×10-3km3,折合水当量(12.9±8.6)×10-3km3。不同海拔、坡度区间冰面高程变化差异显著,海拔较低、坡度较缓区域的变化最为强烈。在气候变暖的趋势下,四工河4号冰川发生强烈消融,标志着博格达峰地区的冰川正处于物质严重亏损的状态,直接影响到流域水资源状况。     

Periglacial nivation cirques and local glaciations in the rock canyons of Söderåsen,Scania, Sweden. A discussion and new interpretation

Rapp, Anders: Periglacial nivation cirques and local glaciations in the rock canyons of Söderåsen, Scania, Sweden. A discussion and new interpretation. Geografisk Tidsskrift 82: 95–99, Copenhagen, October 15, 1982.

Present opinions about the genesis of the rock canyons OdensjOn, Skäralid and Klöva Hallar of Söderåsen, Sweden are reviewed, and a new theory is presented. It is proposed, that during periglacial tundra periods large amounts of drifting snow collected in valleys of north-south directions. Small glaciers were created, which caused local overdeepening and removal of loose material. These processes were active in tundra periods before and after the main Quaternary glaciations.

SUMMARY

Odensjön, Skäralid and Klöva Hallar are three valleys of canyon type, deeply cut (60–100 m) into the horst block of Söderåsen, of fractured Precambrian gneiss rock. It has been shown by other authors that the cold periods after the Weichselian deglaciation were characterized by permafrost and ice wedges on sandy plains in south Sweden. Strong winds caused widespread wind-polishing of stones and bedrock, predominantly from easterly and westerly directions. Based on this evidence, the author presents the theory that large deposits of wind-blown snow were trapped in the canyon valleys of Söderåsen, except for the valleys of east-west directions. The snow was metamorphosed to firn and local, small glaciers, which filled the valleys. The rims of the canyon valleys have in many cases well developed nivation hollows, either steep nivation funnels or gently sloping, semicircular nivation cirques. Odensjøn is a closed, semicircular rock basin, which has been much discussed by scientists earlier, and which seems to fit the theory of creation by nivation from mainly west, but also east, and a local cirque glacier flow northwards causing the overdeepening and removal of loose material. The three valleys mentioned were problably widened and deepened into a series of nivation basins in tundra periods before and after each major continental glaciation. The nivation hollows and the deep canyon valleys were not destroyed by glacial erosion during the Weichselian and earlier Quaternary major ice advances, because the valleys were filled with densely packed snow and ice from snow drifting before the main glacier front moved over them from NE directions. The theory will be further checked by a team of scientists from the Department of Physical Geography in Lund. A comparison is made with cirque forms in present-day mountain tundra conditions in the area of Kärkevagge in northern Lappland, investigated by the author during the 1950's and later.     

EVIDENCES FROM HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS OF LANDSCAPE EVOLUTION AFTER LITTLE ICE AGE OF A MEDITERRANEAN HIGH MOUNTAIN AREA,SIERRA NEVADA,SPAIN (EIGHTEENTH TO TWENTIETH CENTURIES)

The Sierra Nevada is the highest mountain system on the Iberian Peninsula (Mulhacén 3482 m; Veleta 3308 m) and is located in the extreme SE region of Spain (lat 37°N, long 3°W). Bibliographic resources, particularly from the eighteenth to twentieth centuries, provide insights into the changing summit landscape as the effects of cold, ice, snow and wind shaped its morphology. The selected references emphasize the Sierra's evolving climate reflected in the glaciers and snow hollows, and in the sparse vegetation above certain altitudes. Scientists had established bioclimatic conditions for the entire range in the early nineteenth century, and their works reflect the progression of ideas, particularly in the area of natural sciences, that influenced the period chosen for this study. This information, in addition to current knowledge about the morphogenetic dynamics of the Sierra Nevada, provides the basis for a comparison of the dominant environments from the Little Ice Age to the present, using the most significant high mountain morphological features as a guide. The most relevant findings indicate that cold climate processes (soli‐gelifluction, frost creep and nivation) were more predominant during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries than they are today.     

近30年来天山托木尔峰东侧分水岭处冰川变化

利用1978年出版的航测地形图与1976年MSS影像(地形图于20世纪70年代初期测绘)、1990年landsatTM影像、2002年CBERS影像对西天山托木尔峰以东分水岭处的5条冰川近30年来的动态变化进行了研究。研究结果表明,这5条冰川在1970年代初-2002年近30年来整体上处于退缩状态,这与该地区20世纪80、90年代气温升高导致冰雪消融加速而冬季降水量基本稳定即补给来源基本不变的趋势是相符合的。这也表明,在气候变暖的趋势下,该地区冰川的补给-消融动态平衡关系被打破,冰川总体上处于退缩状态。     

Debris-covered Glaciers and Rock Glaciers in the Nanga Parbat Himalaya, Pakistan

The origin and mobilization of the extensive debris cover associated with the glaciers of the Nanga Parbat Himalaya is complex. In this paper we propose a mechanism by which glaciers can form rock glaciers through inefficiency of sediment transfer from glacier ice to meltwater. Inefficient transfer is caused by various processes that promote plentiful sediment supply and decrease sediment transfer potential. Most debris‐covered glaciers on Nanga Parbat with higher velocities of movement and/ or efficient debris transfer mechanisms do not form rock glaciers, perhaps because debris is mobilized quickly and removed from such glacier systems. Those whose ice movement activity is lower and those where inefficient sediment transfer mechanisms allow plentiful debris to accumulate, can form classic rock glaciers. We document here with maps, satellite images, and field observations the probable evolution of part of a slow and inefficient ice glacier into a rock glacier at the margins of Sachen Glacier in c. 50 years, as well as several other examples that formed in a longer period of time. Sachen Glacier receives all of its nourishment from ice and snow avalanches from surrounding areas of high relief, but has low ice velocities and no efficient system of debris removal. Consequently it has a pronounced digitate terminus with four lobes that have moved outward from the lateral moraines as rock glaciers with prounced transverse ridges and furrows and steep fronts at the angle of repose. Raikot Glacier has a velocity five times higher than Sachen Glacier and a thick cover of rock debris at its terminus that is efficienctly removed. During the advance stage of the glacier since 1994, ice cliffs were exposed at the terminus, and an outbreak flood swept away much debris from its margins and terminus. Like the Sachen Glacier that it resembles, Shaigiri Glacier receives all its nourishment from ice and snow avalanches and has an extensive debris cover with steep margins close to the angle of repose. It has a high velocity similar to Raikot Glacier and catastrophic breakout floods have removed debris from its terminus twice in the recent past. In addition, the Shaigiri terminus blocked the Rupal River during the Little Ice Age and is presently being undercut and steepened by the river. With higher velocities and more efficient sediment transfer systems, neither the Raikot nor the Shaigiri form classic rock‐glacier morphologies.     

Current Behaviour and Dynamics of the Lowermost Italian Glacier (Montasio Occidentale,Julian Alps)

Smaller glaciers (<0.5 km²) react quickly to environmental changes and typically show a large scatter in their individual response. Accounting for these ice bodies is essential for assessing regional glacier change, given their high number and contribution to the total loss of glacier area in mountain regions. However, studying small glaciers using traditional techniques may be difficult or not feasible, and assessing their current activity and dynamics may be problematic. In this paper, we present an integrated approach for characterizing the current behaviour of a small, avalanche‐fed glacier at low altitude in the Italian Alps, combining geomorphological, geophysical and high‐resolution geodetic surveying with a terrestrial laser scanner. The glacier is still active and shows a detectable mass transfer from the accumulation area to the lower ablation area, which is covered by a thick debris mantle. The glacier owes its existence to the local topo‐climatic conditions, ensured by high rock walls which enhance accumulation by delivering avalanche snow and reduce ablation by providing topographic shading and regulating the debris budget of the glacier catchment. In the last several years the glacier has displayed peculiar behaviour compared with most glaciers of the European Alps, being close to equilibrium conditions in spite of warm ablation seasons. Proportionally small relative changes have also occurred since the Little Ice Age maximum. Compared with the majority of other Alpine glaciers, we infer for this glacier a lower sensitivity to air temperature and a higher sensitivity to precipitation, associated with important feedback from increasing debris cover during unfavourable periods.     

博斯腾湖流域山区地表径流对近期气候变化的响应

近年来,在全球和区域气候变化影响下,新疆博斯腾湖主要产流区开都河出山径流呈现异常波动,引起气候变化研究的关注.鉴于产流区复杂地形和径流补给特征以及传统观测资料的不足,借助雷达、微波及可见光等多源遥感数据从山区降水、积雪和冰川等方面与出山径流变化关系进行比较来揭示径流突变原因.结果表明,产流区平均径流深与降水量关系的转变是引起出山径流异常波动直接原因;进一步的冰川变化分析显示,径流深的波动主要由冰川融水径流变化引起:20世纪80年代中期后的温度上升加速了山顶冰川消融,导致1987～2002年的径流增加和湖泊水位升高;1984～2000年间,流域山顶冰川面积消退近40%,随着分布在较低海拔,对温度升高最敏感的中小冰川的消失,冰雪消融带来的径流增加效应开始减弱;2002年后,在流域气温、降水等变化并不显著的情况下,出山径流量却急剧降低,反映了特定冰川分布条件地区在气候变暖中融水径流先升后降的现象.     

Palaeoglaciation of Parque Natural Lago de Sanabria, northwest Spain

Detailed geomorphological mapping provides evidence for at least three phases of glaciation in the Parque Natural Lago de Sanabria, in northwest Spain. The most extensive glaciation was characterised by a large plateau ice cap. A combination of geomorphological evidence and glacier modelling indicates that this ice cap covered an area of more than 440 km², with a maximum ice thickness of c. 300 m and outlet glaciers reaching as low as 1000 m. This represents the largest ice mass in Iberia outside the Pyrenees and one of the largest in the mountains of southern Europe and the Mediterranean region. Radiocarbon dates from the base of lacustrine sequences appear to suggest that the most extensive phase of ice-cap glaciation occurred during the last cold stage (Weichselian) with deglaciation occurring before 14–15 ka ¹⁴C BP. A second phase of glaciation is recorded by the moraines of valley glaciers, which may have drained small plateau ice caps; whilst a final phase of glaciation is recorded by moraines in the highest cirques.     

Morphology, distribution and formation of relict marginal moraines in the Swedish mountains

Relict marginal moraines are commonly used landforms in palaeoglaciological reconstructions. In the Swedish mountains, a large number of relict marginal moraines of variable morphology and origin occur. In this study, we have mapped 234 relict marginal moraines distributed all along the Swedish mountains and classified them into four morphological classes: cirque‐and‐valley moraines, valley‐side moraines, complex moraines and cross‐valley moraines. Of these, 46 moraines have been reclassified or are here mapped for the first time. A vast majority of the relict moraines are shown to have formed during deglaciation of an ice‐sheet, rather than by local mountain glaciers as suggested in earlier studies. The relict marginal moraines generally indicate that deglaciation throughout the mountains was characterised by a retreating ice‐sheet, successively damming glacial lakes, and downwasting around mountains. The general lack of moraines indicating valley and cirque glaciers during deglaciation suggests that climatic conditions were unfavourable for local glaciation during the last phase of the Weichselian. This interpretation contrasts with some earlier studies that have reconstructed the formation of local glaciers in the higher parts of the Swedish mountains during deglaciation.     

中国冰川区表碛厚度估算及其影响研究进展

表碛覆盖型冰川是中国西部分布较为广泛的冰川类型,其典型特征是冰川消融区部分或全部覆盖了一层厚度不一的表碛。与裸冰或雪相比,表碛覆盖层下冰的融化过程有独特性,表碛厚度空间分布对一条冰川的消融、物质平衡和径流过程的影响有别于无表碛覆盖型冰川。本文回顾了近年来表碛厚度分布及其影响的研究,通过对这些进展进行总结以进一步明晰表碛影响研究的方向;同时着重介绍了近期发展的基于遥感影像热红外波段和可见光近红外波段、大气—表碛层—冰川界面能量平衡过程的表碛厚度估算方法和表碛覆盖综合评估模型,结合地面观测,分析了以遥感反演的表碛层热阻系数表征表碛厚度的精度,介绍了这类模型在表碛覆盖型冰川物质平衡和径流研究中的应用效果,以及在综合评估流域/区域尺度表碛影响的应用情况,并分析了该模型存在的不足及进一步改进的研究方向,为实现中国西部区域表碛影响的系统评估奠定基础,从而提升对区域水资源和冰川灾害的模拟和预测能力。     

西藏扎布耶盐湖水位波动规律初探

文章探讨扎布耶北湖1991年1月至2003年12月水位变化的季节性波动、长期变化和周期变动的规律。该湖水位的季节性波动在1991~1996年表现为单峰模式,高水位出现于4月,由冰雪与冻土融水补给引起;1997~2003年表现为双峰模式,高水位分别出现在4月和8~9月(雨季),反映近年来气温上升和降水增加的影响。数学模型表明水位波动表现出8.2年的周期,幅度达0.48 m。1991~2003年水位共上升0.25 m,但大多数年份表现出平均0.06~0.08 m/a下降趋势,1998~1999年的水位上涨是水位由单峰模式变为双峰模式转折点。     

Numerical simulations of the influence of the seasonal snow cover on the occurrence of permafrost at high latitudes

It has repeatedly been reported that snow cover is a dominating factor in determining the presence or absence of permafrost in the discontinuous and sporadic permafrost regions. The temperature at the snow-soil interface by the end of winter, known as the bottom temperature of winter snow (BTS) method, has been used to detect the existence of permafrost in European alpine regions when the maximum snow depth is about 1.0 m or greater. A critical snow thickness of about 50 cm or greater can prevent the development of permafrost in eastern Hudson Bay, Canada. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of snow cover on the presence or absence of permafrost in cold regions through numerical simulations. A one-dimensional heat transfer model with phase change and a snow cover regime is used to simulate energy exchange between deep soils and the atmosphere. The model has been validated against the in situ data in the Arctic. The simulation results indicate that both snow depth and the onset date of snow cover establishment are important parameters in relation to the presence or absence of permafrost. Early establishment of snow cover can make permafrost disappear, even with a relatively thin snow cover. Permafrost may survive when snow cover starts after the middle of December even with a snow thickness >1.0 m. This effect of snow cover on the ground thermal regime can be explained with reference to the pattern of seasonal temperature variation. Early establishment of snow cover enhances the insulating impact over the entire cold season, thus warming and eventually thawing the permafrost. The insulating effect is substantially reduced when snow cover starts relatively late and snowmelt in the spring creates a huge heat sink, resulting in a favorable combination for permafrost existence.     

青藏高原腹地多年冻土区地表反照率的季节变化及主要影响因子

准确获取青藏高原地表反照率的季节变化特征对高原地表能水循环研究具有重要意义。本文利用青藏高原多年冻土区西大滩和唐古拉2007年的气象及辐射数据,运用相关分析方法研究了太阳高度角、积雪及活动层冻融过程对地表反照率变化的影响。结果显示:冷暖季降雪过程中地表反照率的变化差异较明显;地表无积雪覆盖期间,地表反照率与气温和表层土壤含水量呈反相关关系。利用多元回归分析法构建了以积雪日数和气温为影响因子的月均地表反照率计算回归方程,经检验与观测值对比平均相对误差为7.1%,可用于青藏高原北部地表反照率的估算。     

1959-2008年新疆阿尔泰山友谊峰地区冰川变化特征

 利用1959年地形图、2008年ASTER数字遥感影像及数字高程模型,在地理信息系统技术支持下分析了新疆阿尔泰山友谊峰地区冰川的变化特征。研究表明：1959-2008年该区冰川整体呈萎缩趋势,且变化幅度相对较大。相对于1959年,2008年冰川面积和数量分别变化-32.5%和-27.9%。其中,小于1 km2的冰川面积平均变化率为-66.7%,面积小于0.5 km2的冰川面积变化率大于-70%,面积大于1 km2以上的冰川面积变化率为-35.0%,1~5 km2的冰川面积变化率为-27.9%。冰川末端平均后退253 m,末端退缩比例为-18.3%,且南坡冰川末端变化率大于北坡。分析发现,研究区冰川面积亏损较大主要缘于该区小冰川分布数量较多（面积小于1 km2的冰川数量达75%),对气候变化的响应较为敏感。     

Avalanche prediction in Scotland: II. Development of a predictive model

The paper presents a method for predicting avalanche activity from meteorological data which is suitable for Scottish snow conditions. Two main types of avalanche are distinguished. Direct-action avalanches are the result of fresh snow accumulation and may release after approximately 200 mm of fresh snow has fallen over a period of a few days. They become extremely likely if a further 100 mm falls in a single day. Climax avalanches are the result of strength loss in the snow cover, due either to thawing or persistent cold. Thaws may produce an avalanche after only three or four days with maximum temperatures around 2°C. Alternatively, if maximum temperatures remain below ?4°C for over a week, and especially if cold weather persists for two weeks, slab avalanches of dry snow are likely to occur. Between these two types are several possible avalanche situations in which fresh snow accumulation is combined with high or low temperatures. Topography plays a passive role, and determines where avalanche activity is most likely. Free faces, smooth surfaces and slopes in the lee of major storms respond most rapidly to the onset of avalanche conditions.