GLACIER FLUCTUATIONS, SUSPENDED SEDIMENT FLUX AND GLACIO-LACUSTRINE SEDIMENTS

ABSTRACT. In order to perform inverse modelling of climate variability based on palaeoclimate proxy records, the complexity of intermediate steps in the chain of processes from the climate forcing to the responding proxy has to be considered. In reconstructing climate-forced glacier fluctuations from proglacial lacustrine sediments it is important to understand how climate affects glacier dynamics. A glacier system is complex with many factors influencing sediment production, transport and deposition. Fluvial and mass movement processes in the proglacial environment may affect lake sedimentation substantially. We argue that it is easy to over-interpret glaciolacustrine sediment variability by ignoring these complications. The sediment records may contain individual layers resulting from single precipitation or melt events, as well as persistent changes in climate-forced glacier dynamics. We conclude that it is necessary to consider all possible influencing factors in order to derive reliable palaeoclimate data from lacustrine sediment sequences.     

THE FLUCTUATIONS OF ITALIAN GLACIERS DURING THE LAST CENTURY: A CONTRIBUTION TO KNOWLEDGE ABOUT ALPINE GLACIER CHANGES

This paper describes the recent evolution of Italian glaciers through an analysis of all available terminus fluctuation data that the authors have entered in a glaciers database (named GLAD) containing 883 records collected on glaciers from 1908 to 2002. Furthermore, a representative subset of data (249 glaciers located in Lombardy) was analysed regarding surface area changes. For the analysis of terminus fluctuations, the glaciers were sorted by size classes according to length. The data showed that during the 20th century Italian Alpine glaciers underwent a generalized retreat, with one distinct and well documented readvance episode that occurred between the 1970s and mid‐1980s, and a poorly documented one around the early 1920s. The rates of terminus advance and retreat have changed without significant delays for the larger glaciers with respect to the smaller ones. However, the smaller the glacier, the more limited the advance (if any) during the 1970s and early 1980s. The behaviour of glaciers shorter than 1 km appears to have changed in the last decade, and between 1993 and 2002 they retreated at a very high rate. The analysis of the subset of data led to a quanti‐fication of surface reduction of c. 10% from 1992 to 1999 for glaciers in Lombardy. Small glaciers proved to contribute strongly to total area loss: in 1999, 232 glaciers (c. 90% of the total) were smaller than 1 km², covering 27.2 km² (less than 30% of the total area), but accounted for 58% of the total loss in area (they had lost 7.4 km²).     

IDENTIFICATION OF CLIMATE CONTROLS ON THE DYNAMIC BEHAVIOUR OF THE SUBARCTIC GLACIER SALAJEKNA, NORTHERN SCANDINAVIA

ABSTRACT. In this paper we describe the dynamic behaviour of Salajekna, a valley glacier, over the last 200 years using terrestrial observations, in situ measurements, remote sensing observations and glacier reconstructions. The response time of the glacier was calculated using analytical models and field measurements. We were subsequently able to attribute specific dynamic responses to climate trends in the available climate record. The glacier's historical maximum extension was reached around 1880–1910 and was the result of a more continental climate with multi-modal airflows in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. A transition to more maritime conditions in the mid-19th century resulted in a near-continuous 20th century retreat before the glacier adjusted to a near-steady state.     

ESTABLISHING LICHENOMETRIC AGES FOR NINETEENTH- AND TWENTIETH-CENTURY GLACIER FLUCTUATIONS ON SOUTH GEORGIA (SOUTH ATLANTIC)

Glaciers in small mountain cirques on South Georgia respond rapidly and sensitively to changes in South Atlantic climate. The timing and rate of their deglaciation can be used to examine the impact that nineteenth- and twentieth-century climate change has had on the glacial dynamics and terrestrial ecosystems of South Georgia. As part of a reconnaissance study in Prince Olav Harbour (POH), South Georgia, we measured the size of lichens ( Rhizocarpon Ram. em Th. Fr. subgenus. Rhizocarpon group) on ice-free moraine ridges around two small mountain cirques. Our aims were twofold: first, to provide age estimates for lichen colonization, and hence, deglaciation of the moraine ridges, and second, to examine the potential of applying lichenometry more widely to provide deglacial age constraints on South Georgia. In the absence of lichen age-size (dating) curves for South Georgia, we use long-term Rhizocarpon lichen growth-rates from recent studies on sub-Antarctic Islands and the western Antarctic Peninsula to calculate likely age estimates. These data suggest ice retreat from the two outermost moraines occurred between the end of the 'Little Ice Age' (post c. 1870) and the early twentieth century on South Georgia. Lichen colonization of the innermost moraines is probably related to glacier retreat during the second half of the twentieth century, which has been linked to a well-defined warming trend since c. 1950. Patterns of possible nineteenth- and twentieth-century glacial retreat identified in POH need to be tested further by establishing species- and site-specific lichen age-size (dating) curves for South Georgia, and by applying lichenometry to other mountain cirques across South Georgia.     

RECENT SPEED‐UP OF AN ALPINE ROCK GLACIER: AN UPDATED CHRONOLOGY OF THE KINEMATICS OF OUTER HOCHEBENKAR ROCK GLACIER BASED ON GEODETIC MEASUREMENTS

Surface velocities have been regularly monitored at the rock glacier in Outer Hochebenkar, Ötztal Alps, Austria since the early 1950s. This study provides an update to previously published surface velocity time series, showing mean profile velocities of four cross profiles since the beginning of the measurements (1951,1954, 1997; depending on the profile), as well as single block displacements from 1998 to 2015. Profiles P1, P2 and P3 have moved between 42 and 90 m, at mean velocities between 0.70 and 1.48 m yr^–1, since they were first established in the early 1950s (1951/54). Profile P0, established in 1997, has since moved 13 m or 0.75 m yr^–1. An acceleration can be observed at all profiles since the late 1990s, with a particularly sharp velocity increase since 2010. All profiles reached a new maximum velocity in 2015, with 1.98 m yr^–1 at the slowest profile (P0) and 6.37 m yr^–1 at the fastest profile (P1). Year‐to‐year variations in profile velocities cannot be clearly attributed to inter‐annual variations of climatic parameters like mean annual air temperature, summer temperature, positive degree days, or precipitation. However, higher correlation is found between velocities and cumulative anomalies of air temperature (mean annual air temperature and positive degree days) and summer precipitation, suggesting that these parameters play a key role for the movement of the rock glacier. The lower profiles (P0, P1) show more pronounced year‐to‐year variations than the upper profiles (P2, P3). It is considered likely that processes other than climatic forcing (e.g. sliding, topography) contribute to the different velocity patterns at the four profiles.     

白马雪山发育现代冰斗冰川的条件基础及其发育特征

位于横断山脉中部的白马雪山是著名的世界遗产地——三江并流中澜沧江与金沙江的分水岭。依据2011年5月对白马雪山冰川环境的考察,发现白马雪山4200m以上部分区域有终年积雪覆盖,根据Ohmura对70条中高纬现代冰川的相关研究所得出的山岳冰川雪线处降水量与气温的关系（此关系也被Hebenstreit用于计算台湾部分偏低纬度的山地现代雪线计算）并结合当地的气候数据,计算出白马雪山现代理论雪线位置大概为4800m,低于山体顶峰海拔高度。且位于4800m以上的部分地形适合冰川发育,依据这些可形成冰川的理论条件,可见白马雪山部分较高地区至今仍有小规模的现代冰川发育。白马雪山现代冰川变化以及终年积雪分布特征反映了一段时间内当地的气候环境变化。     

独库公路冰川泥石流分布及其特征

对独库公路冰川泥石流的考察及重点泥石流沟的观测，摸清了９条泥石流沟的分布，泥石流发生概况、危害和形成的水文气象条件。以实测资料分析了公路沿线冰川泥石流运动规律基本特征和形成机制。参与泥石流形成的主要水源为融雪水、冰崩和冰川融水，其次是暴雨和冰川融水的叠加所形成的洪水，实测最大容重为２．４６ｇ／ｃｍ￣３。     

EVALUATION OF GRIDDED PRECIPITATION FOR NORWAY USING GLACIER MASS‐BALANCE MEASUREMENTS

The service seNorge ( http://senorge.no ) provides gridded temperature and precipitation for mainland Norway. The products are provided as interpolated station measurements on a 1 × 1 km grid. Precipitation gauges are predominantly located at lower elevations such as coastal areas and valleys. Therefore, there are large uncertainties in extrapolating precipitation data to higher altitudes, both due to sparsity of observations as well as the large spatial variability of precipitation in mountainous regions. Using gridded temperature and precipitation data from seNorge, surface mass balance was modeled for five Norwegian glaciers of different size and climate conditions. The model accounts for melting of snow and ice by applying a degree‐day approach and considers refreezing assuming a snow depth depended storage. Calculated values are compared to point measurements of glacier winter mass balance. On average for each glacier, modeled and measured surface mass‐balance evolutions agree well, but results at individual stake locations show large variability. Two types of problems were identified: first, grid data were not able to capture spatial mass balance variability at smaller glaciers. Second, a significant increase in the bias between model and observations with altitude for one glacier suggested that orographic enhancement of precipitation was not appropriately captured by the gridded interpolation.     

天山冰川消融参数化能量平衡模型

本文运用在天山乌鲁木齐河源的冰川能量平衡观测和常规气象站观测要素，建立了冰川消融参数化能量平衡模型。以日照、日平均气温、低云量、水汽压和风速为模型基本输入因子，模拟计算和讨论了消融期冰川表面辐射平衡和能量平衡。     

天山独库公路冰川泥石流堆积与冰碛石组构特征

通过对独库公路三岔河道班沟等处泥石流扇形地上不同形态的泥石流堆积、冰川堆积和岩屑坡的沉积砾石组构对比研究,发现在不同沉积相中,砾石ab面的组构特点互不相同,都随其不同的沉积动力和地形等沉积条件的差别而有别,所以利用砾石组构这一研究方法,不但可划分不同的沉积相,而且在第四纪地质与沉积学研究中具有重要的意义。     

哈巴雪山第四纪冰川发育特点的初步研究

哈巴雪山(5 396 m)位于横断山脉中北段,与玉龙雪山(5 596 m)以金沙江相隔,受西南季风影响强烈。在哈巴雪山3 100 m以上保存第四纪冰川侵蚀与堆积地貌,主要沿哈巴雪山西北脊两侧分布。应用相对地貌法,对比邻近山地尤其是玉龙雪山,将哈巴雪山冰期系列初步划分为:倒数第二次冰期、末次冰期早期和末次冰盛期(LGM)。以哈巴雪山哈巴河谷的冰碛物为研究对象,其末端海拔高度在倒数第二次冰期、末次冰期早期、末次冰盛期分别约为3 100 m、3 500 m、3 900 m。应用TSAM法、MEIM法、CF法计算得出哈巴雪山古雪线高度在倒数第二次冰期、末次冰期早期、末次冰盛期分别为3 675 m、4 000 m、4 200 m。     

RESPONSE OF A MONTENEGRO GLACIER TO EXTREME SUMMER HEATWAVES IN 2003 AND 2007

The Debeli Namet glacier in the Durmitor massif, Montenegro, is one of the lowest altitude glaciers (2050–2300 m) at this latitude (42–44°N) in the northern hemisphere. The glacier survives well below the climatological equilibrium line altitude because of substantial inputs from avalanching and windblown snow. The glacier survived two of the hottest summers on record in 2003 and 2007, although it experienced significant retreat. However, during the intervening years (2004–2006) the glacier increased in size and advanced, forming a new frontal moraine. This rapid advance was primarily in response to much cooler summer temperatures, close to or cooler than average, and a marked increase in winter precipitation. The rapid growth and decay of the Debeli Namet glacier in response to inter‐annual climate variability highlights the sensitivity of small cirque glaciers to short‐term climate change.     

LATE‐GLACIAL GLACIER EVENTS IN SOUTHERNMOST SOUTH AMERICA: A BLEND OF ‘NORTHERN’ AND 'SOUTHERN’ HEMISPHERIC CLIMATIC SIGNALS?

ABSTRACT. This paper examines new geomorphological, chronological and modelling data on glacier fluctuations in southernmost South America in latitudes 46–55°S during the last glacial–interglacial transition. Establishing leads and lags between the northern and southern hemispheres and between southern mid‐latitudes and Antarctica is key to an appreciation of the mechanisms and resilience of global climate. This is particularly important in the southern hemisphere where there is a paucity of empirical data. The overall structure of the last glacial cycle in Patagonia has a northern hemisphere signal. Glaciers reached or approached their Last Glacial Maxima on two or more occasions at 25–23 ka (calendar) and there was a third less extensive advance at 17.5 ka. Deglaciation occurred in two steps at 17.5 ka and at 11.4 ka. This structure is the same as that recognized in the northern hemisphere and taking place in spite of glacier advances occurring at a time of high southern hemisphere summer insolation and deglaciation at a time of decreasing summer insolation. The implication is that at orbital time scales the‘northern’ signal dominates any southern hemisphere signal. During deglaciation, at a millennial scale, the glacier fluctuations mirror an antiphase 'southern’ climatic signal as revealed in Antarctic ice cores. There is a glacier advance coincident with the Antarctic Cold Reversal at 15.3–12.2 ka. Furthermore, deglaciation begins in the middle of the Younger Dryas. The implication is that, during the last glacial–interglacial transition, southernmost South America was under the influence of sea surface temperatures, sea ice and southern westerlies responding to conditions in the 'southern’ Antarctic domain. Such asynchrony may reflect a situation whereby, during deglaciation, the world is more sensitized to fluctuations in the oceanic thermohaline circulation, perhaps related to the bipolar seesaw, than at orbital timescales.     

IMPACT OF NEOTECTONICS ON THE RECORD OF GLACIER AND SEA LEVEL FLUCTUATIONS, STRAIT OF MAGELLAN, SOUTHERN CHILE

ABSTRACT. This paper presents evidence for a neotectonic influence on Late Pleistocene/Holocene records of environmental change in the southern Strait of Magellan. We concentrate on one site, Puerto del Hambre, a key location for reconstructing palaeoenvironmental change in southernmost South America. We report geomorphological, structural geological, seismic and topographic data that all show the site has been affected by postglacial faulting. There is also indirect evidence from the site stratigraphy that the site has been displaced. Also, recent faulting explains some of the puzzles associated with interpretation of the palaeoenvironmental record at Puerto del Hambre. The implication of this work is that neotectonic faulting had a pervasive influence in the southern part of the Strait of Magellan and southernmost Tierra del Fuego, and thus affects glacial or sea level reconstructions in the area.     

乌鲁木齐地区冰川、河、湖水中重金属形态及分布特征

本文研究乌鲁木齐地区冰川,河流和湖泊水中重金属铜、铅、锌和镉的背景值及存在形态的分配。     

中国典型山地温冰川水化学空间分布特征与近期冰川动态

从我国玉龙雪玉典型温水王白水１号冰川不同区段表面融水,新近积雪和冰川初给河水采样分析结果表明,雪线以下降水中的稳定同位素的离子含量比雪线以下为高,低海拔河水比高海拨融水的氧同浓度为低,可能在来源上存在着差异,这种分布特征说明本温冰川区局部大气环流情况高度而不同,有可能存在季气候区所特有的“降水量效应”或“季节性效应”。冰川不同水体内离子浓度变化说明,冰川融水与地壳表面接触时间越久,其中的可融性离了     

HOLOCENE ROCKWALL RETREAT AND THE ESTIMATION OF ROCK GLACIER AGE, PRINS KARLS FORLAND, SVALBARD

This paper presents a simple analytical model for estimating rock glacier age by coupling the ratio of frontal advance to total rock glacier length and the ratio of debris volume in the rock glacier to present debris flux in the talus cone–rock glacier transition zone. The model was applied to two rock glaciers at Prins Karls Forland, Svalbard. By assuming volumetric debris contents in the deforming layer of the rock glacier of between 0.3 and 0.4, we obtained age estimates for the rock glaciers of between 12 ka and 24 ka. The corresponding average rockwall retreat rates are between 0.30 and 0.62 mm a^‐1. Considering the limitations of the model, we suggest a minimum age of 13 ka for the initiation of rock glacier development. Using this age, rockwall retreat rates for the seven rock glaciers investigated at Prins Karls Forland are between 0.13 and 0.64 m ka^‐1 (assuming the volumetric debris content for the whole rock glacier/talus cone is 0.35). The model requires further testing on other datasets, better field estimates of the debris content and depth of the deforming layer, and could also benefit from the inclusion of an unsteady debris supply function in order to refine age estimates.     

Decadal‐Scale Changes of the Ödenwinkelkees,Central Austria,Suggest Increasing Control of Topography and Evolution Towards Steady State

Small mountain glaciers have short mass balance response times to climate change and are consequently very important for short‐term contributions to sea level. However, a distinct research and knowledge gap exists between (1) wider regional studies that produce overview patterns and trends in glacier changes, and (2) in situ local scale studies that emphasise spatial heterogeneity and complexity in glacier responses to climate. This study of a small glacier in central Austria presents a spatiotemporally detailed analysis of changes in glacier geometry and changes in glaciological behaviour. It integrates geomorphological surveys, historical maps, aerial photographs, airborne LiDAR data, ground‐based differential global positioning surveys and Ground Penetrating Radar surveys to produce three‐dimensional glacier geometry at 13 time increments spanning from 1850 to 2013. Glacier length, area and volume parameters all generally showed reductions with time. The glacier equilibrium line altitude increased by 90 m between 1850 and 2008. Calculations of the mean bed shear stress rapidly approaching less than 100 kPA, of the volume–area ratio fast approaching 1.458, and comparison of the geometric reconstructions with a 1D theoretical model could together be interpreted to suggest evolution of the glacier geometry towards steady state. If the present linear trend in declining ice volume continues, then the Ödenwinkelkees will disappear by the year 2040, but we conceptualise that non‐linear effects of bed overdeepenings on ice dynamics, of supraglacial debris cover on the surface energy balance, and of local topographically driven controls, namely wind‐redistributed snow deposition, avalanching and solar shading, will become proportionally more important factors in the glacier net balance.