Hydrology and dynamics of a polythermal (mostly cold) High Arctic glacier

Bingham, Robert G.; Nienow, Peter; Sharp, Martin; Copland, Luke

doi:10.1002/esp.1374

Cited by 39 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 48 publications

(47 reference statements)

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“…Surface lowering is slight and horizontal movements produce half of the annual total (Figure 7). Winter motion is mainly attributed to internal deformation because basal sliding often deactivates (Anderson et al, 2004;Bingham et al, 2006). During summer, the ablation rate is very high and induces most of the annual surface lowering (91%).…”

Section: Surface Movements and Associated Processesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The water supply increases the flow. Mean v x decreases in late summer, probably because of the drainage network development at the glacier bed (Anderson et al, 2004;Rippin et al, 2005;Bingham et al, 2006). The maximum movements are then observed in the zones where water runoffs are concentrated, as in the SW of Tsarmine (Figure 2 and TsaVCP3 and TsaVCP2 of Figure 8).…”

Section: Surface Movements and Associated Processesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Internal Structure and Current Evolution of Very Small Debris-Covered Glacier Systems Located in Alpine Permafrost Environments

Bosson

Lambiel

2016

Front. Earth Sci.

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This contribution explores the internal structure of very small debris-covered glacier systems located in permafrost environments and their current dynamical responses to short-term climatic variations. Three systems were investigated with electrical resistivity tomography and dGPS monitoring over a 3-year period. Five distinct sectors are highlighted in each system: firn and bare-ice glacier, debris-covered glacier, heavily debris-covered glacier of low activity, rock glacier and ice-free debris. Decimetric to metric movements, related to ice ablation, internal deformation and basal sliding affect the glacial zones, which are mainly active in summer. Conversely, surface lowering is close to zero (−0.04 m yr −1 ) in the rock glaciers. Here, a constant and slow internal deformation was observed (c. 0.2 m yr −1 ). Thus, these systems are affected by both direct and high magnitude responses and delayed and attenuated responses to climatic variations. This differential evolution appears mainly controlled by (1) the proportion of ice, debris and the presence of water in the ground, and (2) the thickness of the superficial debris layer.

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Section: Surface Movements and Associated Processesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Surface Movements and Associated Processesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Internal Structure and Current Evolution of Very Small Debris-Covered Glacier Systems Located in Alpine Permafrost Environments

Bosson

Lambiel

2016

Front. Earth Sci.

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“…Field observations of short bursts of enhanced glacier flow on a polythermal glacier support the idea of a rapid dynamic response to climate (Bingham et al, 2006), while field observations of surface meltwater reaching the bed of the same glacier confirm the occurrence of this process. Flowers and Clarke (2002a;2002b) treat the glacier as a fractured medium in their numerical model of glacier hydrology designed to simulate water flow through the polythermal Trapridge Glacier, allowing surface meltwater to reach the glacier bed through crevasses and moulins, but causing water conducted laterally within the glacier to move through a system of interconnected fractures.…”

Section: Supraglacial Hydrologymentioning

confidence: 71%

“…The dynamic response of the glacier depends on the evolution of the drainage system, with horizontal velocities lowest in winter and highest during "spring events" that have been observed to last two to four days on John Evans Glacier (Bingham et al, 2006). Seasonal transitions, including spring events, have been documented on other polythermal glaciers where direct and simultaneous measurements of basal hydraulic and mechanical conditions furnish a detailed picture of event propagation (Kavanaugh and Clarke, 2001).…”

Section: The Subglacial Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Canadian Glacier Hydrology, 2003-2007

Boon¹,

Flowers²,

Munro³

2009

Canadian Water Resources Journal

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Glacier hydrological research in Canada from [2002][2003][2004][2005][2006][2007] continues to advance, driven by new observations of glacier retreat in all regions of the country. New observation networks have been formed to study various aspects of glacier change and linkages with the hydrological system. Smallscale studies of accumulation and melt processes on glacier surfaces continue, and are being used to parameterize spatially distributed models of glacier mass balance and melt. Increasing emphasis has been placed on downscaling of regional and global climate model output to use as input to mass balance models. Advances in our understanding of water movement from the glacier surface to the bed has led to increased interest in runoff from glacierized catchments, which has significant policy implications for downstream water users. Continuing research includes maintenance and enhancement of field monitoring capabilities, improved algorithms to downscale climate model output, and adjustments to hydrological models to more accurately represent glacier cover for streamflow prediction.Résumé : Des progrès continuent d'être réalisés par suite des recherches hydrologiques sur les glaciers au Canada, menées entre 2002 et 2007. Ces progrès s'appuient sur de nouvelles observations du retrait des glaciers dans toutes les régions du pays. De nouveaux réseaux d'observation ont été créés pour étudier les divers aspects du changement au niveau des glaciers et leurs liens avec le système hydrologique. Les études à petite échelle portant sur les processus d'accumulation et de fonte à la surface des glaciers se poursuivent, et elles servent à paramétrer des modèles spatialement distribués de bilan massique et de fonte des glaciers. Un accent de plus en plus grand a été mis sur la réduction d'échelle des sorties de modèle climatique régional et mondial afin qu'elles servent de données d'entrée aux modèles de bilan massique. Des progrès entourant notre compréhension de la circulation de l'eau à partir de la surface du glacier jusqu'au lit glaciaire ont donné lieu à un intérêt accru face au ruissellement des bassins englacés, ce qui a des répercussions considérables en matière de politique pour les utilisateurs d'eau en aval. Les recherches en cours englobent la mise à jour et l'amélioration des capacités de surveillance sur le terrain, l'amélioration des algorithmes pour la réduction d'échelle des sorties du modèle climatique et les ajustements aux modèles hydrologiques en vue de représenter de manière plus précise la couverture glaciaire pour la prédiction des débits.

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“…However, the situation can be much more complex in reality, with interruptions and reversals of drainage system development resulting from variations in water supply to the englacial/subglacial system (e.g. Bingham et al, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Subglacial modulation of the hydrograph from glacierized basins

Flowers

2008

Hydrological Processes

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Abstract:The extent of basin glacierization has important implications for the hydrograph in part, because snow, firn and ice impart different delays in water transport through the system. Here, the significance of subglacial drainage morphology in modulating the hydrograph is examined with a one-dimensional physically based model. The conceptual model of subglacial drainage comprises both 'fast' and 'slow' elements, respectively associated with summer and winter drainage regimes. The additional possibility of a permeable glacier substrate is taken into account by allowing water transport in a subglacial aquifer. Forced by prescribed rates of melt-water delivery to the glacier bed, the model predicts glacier discharge by drainage system provenance. The effects of (1) 'hard' versus 'soft' glacier beds, (2) subsurface permeability and groundwater flow, and (3) glacier geometry are then investigated. Hydrograph character, in the form of peak timing and amplitude, symmetry with respect to the forcing, and the amplitude of diurnal fluctuations, is affected by the partitioning of water through the various flow elements. Hard beds and impermeable substrates maximize the discharge routed through the fast-drainage system in the simulations, generally resulting in higher seasonal discharge maxima and stronger diurnal variations in discharge. High hydraulic transmissivities, either at the glacier bed or in underlying strata, hinder the development of the fast-drainage system in the simulations, producing hydrographs of lower amplitude. Glacier geometry has a modest effect, with adverse bed slopes, very thick or very thin ice and short glacier lengths favouring prolonged drainage through the slow system. These results suggest that the morphology and evolution of the subglacial drainage system may play a significant role in determining the character of the hydrograph from glacierized basins.

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Hydrology and dynamics of a polythermal (mostly cold) High Arctic glacier

Cited by 39 publications

References 48 publications

Internal Structure and Current Evolution of Very Small Debris-Covered Glacier Systems Located in Alpine Permafrost Environments

Internal Structure and Current Evolution of Very Small Debris-Covered Glacier Systems Located in Alpine Permafrost Environments

Canadian Glacier Hydrology, 2003-2007

Subglacial modulation of the hydrograph from glacierized basins

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