Publication Date:
2014-01-17
Description:
[1] The annual runoff from the melting of large glaciers and snow fields along the northern perimeter of the Gulf of Alaska is a critical component of marine physical and biological systems; yet, most of this freshwater is not measured. Here we show estimates of melt for the watershed that contains the largest and longest glacier in North America, the Bering Glacier. The procedure combines in-situ observations of snow and ice melt acquired by a long-term monitoring program, multi-spectral satellite observations and nearby temperature measurements. The estimated melt is 40 km 3 per melt season, ± 3.0 km 3 , observed over the decadal period, 2002-2012. As a result of climate change these estimates could increase to 60 km 3 per year by 2050. This technique and the derived melt coefficients can be applied to estimate melt from Alaska to Washington glaciers.
Print ISSN:
0094-8276
Electronic ISSN:
1944-8007
Topics:
Geosciences
,
Physics
