An ablation model for debris-covered ice: the case study of Venerocolo Glacier (Italian Alps)

Authors

  • Daniele Bocchiola Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento I.I.A.R., C.I.M.I. Section, Milano, Italy Author
  • Antonella Senese Università degli Studi di Milano, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Milano, Italy Author
  • Claudia Mihalcea Università degli Studi di Milano, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Milano, Italy Author
  • Boris Mosconi Università degli Studi di Milano, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Milano, Italy Author
  • Carlo D'Agata Università degli Studi di Milano, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Milano, Italy Author
  • Claudio Smiraglia Università degli Studi di Milano, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Milano, Italy Author
  • Guglielmina Diolaiuti Università degli Studi di Milano, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Milano, Italy Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4461/GFDQ.2015.38.11

Keywords:

Debris-covered glaciers, Ice ablation, Heat conduction, Venerocolo Glacier, Italian Alps

Abstract

We developed a simple model to estimate ice ablation under a debris cover. The ablation process is modelled using energy and mass conservation equations for debris and ice and heat conduction, driven by input of either i) debris surface temperature or ii) radiation fluxes, and solved through a finite difference scheme computing the conductive heat flux within the supra-glacial debris layer. For model calibration, input and validation, we used approximately bi-weekly surveys of ice ablation rate, debris cover temperature, air temperature and solar incoming and upwelling radiation during for Summer 2007. We calibrated the model for debris thermal conductivity using a subset of ablation data and then we validated it using another subset. Comparisons between calculated and measured values showed a good agreement (RMSE = 0.04 m w.e., r = 0.79), thus suggesting a good performance of the model in predicting ice ablation. Thermal conductivity was found to be the most critical parameter in the proposed model, and it was estimated by debris temperature and thickness, with value changing along the investigated ablation season. The proposed model may be used to quantify buried ice ablation given a reasonable assessment of thermal conductivity.

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Published

2024-06-20

Issue

Section

Proceedings of the International Symposium "The future of the glaciers: from the past to the next 100 Years” - Torino (Italy) 18-21 September 2014

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