Recent mass balance results and morphological evolution of Careser glacier (Central Alps)

Abstract

This paper presents the 2002 to 2005 and historical mass balance series for Careser glacier. The mass balance evolution since 1967 has been compared with the meteorological data from the local weather stations. The most recent morphological changes of the ice body are also described. In the last four years the mass balance was extremely negative, with an average value of -2008 mm we and a minimum value of –3317 mm we. The current mass loss rate is nearly twice the average of the 1981 to 2001 (–1195 mm we), whereas between 1967 and 1980 the glacier was near equilibrium conditions. This behaviour seems to be strictly connected with the ablation season temperatures. By contrast, the relationship with the accumulation season precipitation amounts is less clear. The strongly negative mass balances result in huge morphological changes (surface lowering, bedrock emersion, rapid fragmentation) and positive feedbacks contribute to accelerate the deglaciation process. At the present-day climatic conditions, the complete extinction of the glacier has to be expected within few decades.