Glacier Melting: Exploring the Energy Balance of Glaciers
University of Canterbury
College of Science
Outreach Programme
provided by the
Department of Geological
Sciences
Dr. Stefan Winkler
Department of Geological Sciences
University of Canterbnury
Hooker Glacier and Mt Cook/Aoraki
Does a glacier melt
at night?
(Energy balance of glaciers)
Does a glacier melt at night?
or
What makes the glacier melt?
(Energy balance of glaciers)
Surface melting on the
lower glacier tongue of
Franz Josef Glacier in
Mid-November
Small streams often end
in holes (called “moulins”)
that connect to melt water
channels inside the
glacier
There is always surface
melt of snow and ice on
the lower parts of a
glacier
(except sometimes
during winter)
But does the glacier also melt at night?
Yes
or
NO
Make your decision!
Explain your decision!
Discuss it with your neighbour or in your group.
Ready for the correct answer?
Surprised? O.K., let’s learn what makes a glacier melt at all!
A glacier can be seen as an Input-Output-
System. Input mainly is snow. This snow is
over many years transformed into ice.
Output is meltwater produced by the melt
of snow and ice.
Here, we only want
to consider the
output - the melting
of snow and ice.
This mainly happens
on the lower part of
a glacier. Scientists
call the mass loss of
a glacier in general
“ablation“.
The sun (its radiation) is responsible for
most of the melting. But as glaciers also
melt at night, there must be other reasons!
But first have a look at the evidence:
Measurements of surface melt (ablation) at several stakes on
the lower surface of Franz Josef Glacier (07.11. to 09.11.2010)
There is melting during the night (i.e. with no sun shining)!
W
h
a
t
c
o
u
l
d
b
e
t
h
e
r
e
a
s
o
n
?
The “energy balance” of the glacier surface is not that simple:
Several factors need to be taken into account.
But let‘s do it step by step!
1. Solar radiation (radiation of the sun)
If radiation from the sun (short-
wave radiation) impacts on the
glacier surface, it is either
reflected, or transformed into
long-wave radiation. Long-wave
radiation is either absorbed by, or
transmitted to the atmosphere. In
total, there will be an energy
surplus at the glacier surface
causing melt of snow and ice.
By the way…
What effect has the colour of the surface for the amount of solar
radiation absorbed vs. the amount of solar radiation reflected?
If three identical cars are parked outside with blue sky and the
sun shining, which one will be coolest inside?
a) a black one b) a grey one c) a white one
Think, and then explain your answer!
The right answer is:
The same principle applies for glacier surfaces:
Albedo for different “types” of a glacier surface
(Albedo is a measure of how reflective a surface is)
B
e
c
a
u
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g
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.
The albedo of the glacier surface is a very important
factor for the total amount of melting and the balance of
the glacier mass.
Often, solar radiation contributes at least 50 % (sometimes even
90 % or more) to the total energy absorption for surface melt on a
glacier. But there are two other factors….
S
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.
That‘s why high wind speeds
can increase melting!
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.
Latent and sensible heat flow
are equally or more important
than solar radiation if the
glacier is located in a
relatively warm and moist
climate (near the coast).
Other factors
(like rain) can
be neglected
Comparison of the main factors causing surface melt (ablation)
at different glacier all over the world
T
r
y
t
o
l
o
c
a
t
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h
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t
e
r
n
s
h
o
w
n
!
Are you ready and have discussed your ideas
with your neighbour or in your group?
Explaining the pattern: main factors causing surface melt
Glaciers 1 to 9 are
continental and located at
high altitudes. The air is
relatively cold and dry.
Therefore, melting is
largely or almost entirely
caused by solar radiation.
The latent heat flow (# 1)
can even be negative
(when energy is lost by
evaporation of melt water)
Explaining the pattern: main factors causing surface melt
Glaciers 10 to 18 are
maritime and located at
relatively low altitudes.
The air can be mild and
moist. Therefore, melting
by latent and sensible
heat flow is at least as
important as melting by
solar radiation.
The energy balance of a
glacier is highly
dependent on its location.
And finally, back to our initial question…
Does a glacier melt at night?
Yes!
There is surface melt also at night.
This surface melt is caused by latent and sensible heat flow and
independent of the sun shining.
This surface melt at night is most likely expected at maritime
glaciers near the coast where the air temperatures (also at night)
are mild and the air is usually moist.
In New Zealand, Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier at the West
Coast are good examples of those type of glaciers.
The University of Canterbury College of Science Outreach Programme delves into the intriguing topic of glacier melting, particularly focusing on the energy balance of glaciers. The discussion covers whether glaciers melt at night, the factors influencing glacier melt, and how glaciers can be viewed as input-output systems. Through engaging visuals and scientific explanations, the programme sheds light on the phenomenon of glacier melting, highlighting the role of the sun's radiation and presenting evidence of surface melt even during nighttime. Various images and data from glaciers like Franz Josef Glacier provide insights into surface melt measurements, emphasizing the continuous process of glacier ablation and the significance of understanding these natural processes.
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Presentation Transcript
University of Canterbury College of Science Outreach Programme provided by the Department of Geological Sciences
Does a glacier melt at night? (Energy balance of glaciers) Hooker Glacier and Mt Cook/Aoraki Dr. Stefan Winkler Department of Geological Sciences University of Canterbnury
Does a glacier melt at night? or What makes the glacier melt? (Energy balance of glaciers)
There is always surface melt of snow and ice on the lower parts of a glacier (except sometimes during winter) Surface melting on the lower glacier tongue of Franz Josef Glacier in Mid-November Small streams often end in holes (called moulins ) that connect to melt water channels inside the glacier
But does the glacier also melt at night? Yes or NO Make your decision! Explain your decision! Discuss it with your neighbour or in your group. Ready for the correct answer? Surprised? O.K., let s learn what makes a glacier melt at all!
A glacier can be seen as an Input-Output- System. Input mainly is snow. This snow is over many years transformed into ice. Output is meltwater produced by the melt of snow and ice. Here, we only want to consider the output - the melting of snow and ice. This mainly happens on the lower part of a glacier. Scientists call the mass loss of a glacier in general ablation .
The sun (its radiation) is responsible for most of the melting. But as glaciers also melt at night, there must be other reasons! But first have a look at the evidence:
Measurements of surface melt (ablation) at several stakes on the lower surface of Franz Josef Glacier (07.11. to 09.11.2010) 0.800 average melt in cm per hour 0.700 0.600 What could be the reason? Stak 0.500 III V VII VIII 0.400 0.300 0.200 0.100 0.000 There is melting during the night (i.e. with no sun shining)!
The energy balance of the glacier surface is not that simple: Several factors need to be taken into account. But let s do it step by step!
1. Solar radiation (radiation of the sun) If radiation from the sun (short- wave radiation) impacts on the glacier surface, it is either reflected, or transformed into long-wave radiation. Long-wave radiation is either absorbed by, or transmitted to the atmosphere. In total, there will be an energy surplus at the glacier surface causing melt of snow and ice. By the way
What effect has the colour of the surface for the amount of solar radiation absorbed vs. the amount of solar radiation reflected? If three identical cars are parked outside with blue sky and the sun shining, which one will be coolest inside? a) a black one b) a grey one c) a white one Think, and then explain your answer! The right answer is: The same principle applies for glacier surfaces:
Albedo for different types of a glacier surface (Albedo is a measure of how reflective a surface is) Because glacier ice is not white but greyish-blue, it reflects less solar radiation than fresh snow so it absorbs more energy and melts faster. The albedo of the glacier surface is a very important factor for the total amount of melting and the balance of the glacier mass.
Often, solar radiation contributes at least 50 % (sometimes even 90 % or more) to the total energy absorption for surface melt on a glacier. But there are two other factors . Sensible and latent heat flow can both contribute significantly to the surface sensible heat flow, warm air cools down and energy released will melt snow and ice. The more the cool air is replaced by fresh warm air, the more efficient this process will be. That s why high wind speeds can increase melting! melt. With the heat
Latent heat flow contributes to the surface melt if the air is moist and water condenses on the glacier surface. The energy released is absorbed, melting snow and ice. Latent and sensible heat flow are equally or more important than solar radiation if the glacier is located relatively warm and moist climate (near the coast). Other factors (like rain) can be neglected in a
Comparison of the main factors causing surface melt (ablation) at different glacier all over the world Are you ready and have discussed your ideas with your neighbour or in your group? Try to locate these glaciers and explain the pattern shown!
Explaining the pattern: main factors causing surface melt Glaciers 1 to 9 are continental and located at high altitudes. The air is relatively cold and dry. Therefore, melting is largely or almost entirely caused by solar radiation. The latent heat flow (# 1) can even be negative (when energy is lost by evaporation of melt water)
Explaining the pattern: main factors causing surface melt Glaciers 10 to 18 are maritime and located at relatively low altitudes. The air can be mild and moist. Therefore, melting by latent and sensible heat flow is at least as important as melting by solar radiation. The energy balance of a glacier is highly dependent on its location.
And finally, back to our initial question Does a glacier melt at night? Yes! There is surface melt also at night. This surface melt is caused by latent and sensible heat flow and independent of the sun shining. This surface melt at night is most likely expected at maritime glaciers near the coast where the air temperatures (also at night) are mild and the air is usually moist. In New Zealand, Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier at the West Coast are good examples of those type of glaciers.
