Unknown

Dataset Information

0

Distributed Global Debris Thickness Estimates Reveal Debris Significantly Impacts Glacier Mass Balance.


ABSTRACT: Supraglacial debris affects glacier mass balance as a thin layer enhances surface melting, while a thick layer reduces it. While many glaciers are debris-covered, global glacier models do not account for debris because its thickness is unknown. We provide the first globally distributed debris thickness estimates using a novel approach combining sub-debris melt and surface temperature inversion methods. Results are evaluated against observations from 22 glaciers. We find the median global debris thickness is ∼0.15 ± 0.06 m. In all regions, the net effect of accounting for debris is a reduction in sub-debris melt, on average, by 37%, which can impact regional mass balance by up to 0.40 m water equivalent (w.e.) yr-1. We also find recent observations of similar thinning rates over debris-covered and clean ice glacier tongues is primarily due to differences in ice dynamics. Our results demonstrate the importance of accounting for debris in glacier modeling efforts.

SUBMITTER: Rounce DR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8244090 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

Similar Datasets

| S-EPMC5283499 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC6141397 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC6369756 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC6235914 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC4858743 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC9200720 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC6109143 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC6890783 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC8244088 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC8209027 | biostudies-literature