Publications des scientifiques de l'IRD

Basantes-Serrano R., Rabatel A., Francou Bernard, Vincent C., Maisincho L., Caceres B., Galarraga R., Alvarez D. (2016). Slight mass loss revealed by reanalyzing glacier mass-balance observations on Glaciar Antisana 15 alpha (inner tropics) during the 1995-2012 period. Journal of Glaciology, 62 (231), p. 124-136. ISSN 0022-1430.

Titre du document
Slight mass loss revealed by reanalyzing glacier mass-balance observations on Glaciar Antisana 15 alpha (inner tropics) during the 1995-2012 period
Année de publication
2016
Type de document
Article référencé dans le Web of Science WOS:000376838400012
Auteurs
Basantes-Serrano R., Rabatel A., Francou Bernard, Vincent C., Maisincho L., Caceres B., Galarraga R., Alvarez D.
Source
Journal of Glaciology, 2016, 62 (231), p. 124-136 ISSN 0022-1430
In this paper, we reanalyze the glacier mass balance on Glaciar Antisana 15 alpha over the 1995-2012 period. Annual glacier mass balances were quantified on the basis of monthly glaciological measurements using an adaptation of Lliboutry's statistical approach. The geodetic mass balance was computed between 1997 and 2009 giving a cumulative balance of -1.39 +/- 1.97 m w.e. and a slightly negative adjusted annual glaciological mass balance (-0.12 +/- 0.16 m w.e. a(-1)). Despite a careful analysis of uncertainties, we found a large discrepancy between the cumulative glaciological and the geodetic mass balances over the common period, of 4.66 m w.e. This discrepancy can mainly be explained by underestimated net accumulation in the glacier upper reaches, which could be due to the peculiar climate conditions of the equatorial zone with year round accumulation, thereby preventing clear identification of annual layers. An increase of similar to 70% in measured rates of net accumulation would be needed to balance the glaciological and geodetic mass balances; a hypothesis confirmed by estimated ice flux in the vicinity of the ELA. Consequently, the vertical gradient of precipitation may be higher than previously estimated and the accumulation processes (including the role of frost deposition) need to be carefully analyzed.
Plan de classement
Sciences du milieu [021] ; Hydrologie [062]
Description Géographique
EQUATEUR ; ANDES ; ANTISANA GLACIER ; ZONE TROPICALE
Localisation
Fonds IRD [F B010066966]
Identifiant IRD
fdi:010066966
Contact