Future of Alpine Glaciers and Beyond
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The Swiss Glaciers
The Swiss Glacie rs 2011/12 and 2012/13 Glaciological Report (Glacier) No. 133/134 2016 The Swiss Glaciers 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 Glaciological Report No. 133/134 Edited by Andreas Bauder1 With contributions from Andreas Bauder1, Mauro Fischer2, Martin Funk1, Matthias Huss1,2, Giovanni Kappenberger3 1 Laboratory of Hydraulics, Hydrology and Glaciology (VAW), ETH Zurich 2 Department of Geosciences, University of Fribourg 3 6654 Cavigliano 2016 Publication of the Cryospheric Commission (EKK) of the Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT) c/o Laboratory of Hydraulics, Hydrology and Glaciology (VAW) at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich) H¨onggerbergring 26, CH-8093 Z¨urich, Switzerland http://glaciology.ethz.ch/swiss-glaciers/ c Cryospheric Commission (EKK) 2016 DOI: http://doi.org/10.18752/glrep 133-134 ISSN 1424-2222 Imprint of author contributions: Andreas Bauder : Chapt. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, App. A, B, C Mauro Fischer : Chapt. 4 Martin Funk : Chapt. 1, 4 Matthias Huss : Chapt. 2, 4 Giovanni Kappenberger : Chapt. 4 Ebnoether Joos AG print and publishing Sihltalstrasse 82 Postfach 134 CH-8135 Langnau am Albis Switzerland Cover Page: Vadret da Pal¨u(Gilbert Berchier, 25.9.2013) Summary During the 133rd and 134th year under review by the Cryospheric Commission, Swiss glaciers continued to lose both length and mass. The two periods were characterized by normal to above- average amounts of snow accumulation during winter, and moderate to substantial melt rates in summer. The results presented in this report reflect the weather conditions in the measurement periods as well as the effects of ongoing global warming over the past decades. -
Investigating the Influence of Surface Meltwater on the Ice Dynamics of the Greenland Ice Sheet
INVESTIGATING THE INFLUENCE OF SURFACE MELTWATER ON THE ICE DYNAMICS OF THE GREENLAND ICE SHEET by William T. Colgan B.Sc., Queen's University, Canada, 2004 M.Sc., University of Alberta, Canada, 2007 A thesis submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Colorado in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Geography 2011 This thesis entitled: Investigating the influence of surface meltwater on the ice dynamics of the Greenland Ice Sheet, written by William T. Colgan, has been approved for the Department of Geography by _____________________________________ Dr. Konrad Steffen (Geography) _____________________________________ Dr. Waleed Abdalati (Geography) _____________________________________ Dr. Mark Serreze (Geography) _____________________________________ Dr. Harihar Rajaram (Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering) _____________________________________ Dr. Robert Anderson (Geology) _____________________________________ Dr. H. Jay Zwally (Goddard Space Flight Center) Date _______________ The final copy of this thesis has been examined by the signatories, and we find that both the content and the form meet acceptable presentation standards of scholarly work in the above mentioned discipline. Colgan, William T. (Ph.D., Geography) Investigating the influence of surface meltwater on the ice dynamics of the Greenland Ice Sheet Thesis directed by Professor Konrad Steffen Abstract This thesis explains the annual ice velocity cycle of the Sermeq (Glacier) Avannarleq flowline, in West Greenland, using a longitudinally coupled 2D (vertical cross-section) ice flow model coupled to a 1D (depth-integrated) hydrology model via a novel basal sliding rule. Within a reasonable parameter space, the coupled model produces mean annual solutions of both the ice geometry and velocity that are validated by both in situ and remotely sensed observations. -
13 Protection: a Means for Sustainable Development? The
13 Protection: A Means for Sustainable Development? The Case of the Jungfrau- Aletsch-Bietschhorn World Heritage Site in Switzerland Astrid Wallner1, Stephan Rist2, Karina Liechti3, Urs Wiesmann4 Abstract The Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn World Heritage Site (WHS) comprises main- ly natural high-mountain landscapes. The High Alps and impressive natu- ral landscapes are not the only feature making the region so attractive; its uniqueness also lies in the adjoining landscapes shaped by centuries of tra- ditional agricultural use. Given the dramatic changes in the agricultural sec- tor, the risk faced by cultural landscapes in the World Heritage Region is pos- sibly greater than that faced by the natural landscape inside the perimeter of the WHS. Inclusion on the World Heritage List was therefore an opportunity to contribute not only to the preservation of the ‘natural’ WHS: the protected part of the natural landscape is understood as the centrepiece of a strategy | downloaded: 1.10.2021 to enhance sustainable development in the entire region, including cultural landscapes. Maintaining the right balance between preservation of the WHS and promotion of sustainable regional development constitutes a key chal- lenge for management of the WHS. Local actors were heavily involved in the planning process in which the goals and objectives of the WHS were defined. This participatory process allowed examination of ongoing prob- lems and current opportunities, even though present ecological standards were a ‘non-negotiable’ feature. Therefore the basic patterns of valuation of the landscape by the different actors could not be modified. Nevertheless, the process made it possible to jointly define the present situation and thus create a basis for legitimising future action. -
Berner Alpen Finsteraarhorn (4274 M) 7
Berner Alpen Finsteraarhorn (4274 m) 7 Auf den höchsten Gipfel der Berner Alpen Der höchste Gipfel der Berner Alpen lockt mit einem grandiosen Panorama bis in die Ostalpen. Schotter, Schnee, Eis und Fels bieten ein abwechslungsreiches Gelände für diese anspruchsvolle Hochtour. ∫ ↑ 1200 Hm | ↓ 1200 Hm | → 8,2 Km | † 8 Std. | Talort: Grindelwald (1035 m) und ausgesetzten Felsgrat ist sicheres Klettern (II. Grad) mit Ausgangspunkt: Finsteraarhornhütte (3048 m) Steigeisen sowie absolute Schwindelfreiheit notwendig. Karten/Führer: Landeskarte der Schweiz, 1:25 000, Blatt Einsamkeitsfaktor: Mittel. Das Finsteraarhorn ist im 1249 »Finsteraarhorn«; »Berner Alpen – Vom Sanetsch- und Frühjahr ein Renommee-Gipfel von Skitourengehern, im Grimselpass«, SAC-Verlag, Bern 2013 Sommer stehen die Chancen gut, (fast) allein am Berg unter- Hütten:Finsteraarhornhütte (3048 m), SAC, geöffnet Mitte wegs zu sein. März bis Ende Mai und Ende Juni bis Mitte September, Tel. 00 Orientierung/Route: Hinter der Finsteraarhornhütte 41/33/8 55 29 55, www.finsteraarhornhuette.ch (Norden) geht es gleich steil und anstrengend über rote Information: Grindelwald Tourismus, Dorfstr. 110, 3818 Felsstufen bergauf, manchmal müssen die Hände zu Hilfe Grindelwald, Tel. 00 41/ 33/8 54 12 12, www.grindelwald.ch genommen werden. Nach etwa einer Stunde ist auf ca. 3600 Charakter: Diese anspruchsvolle Hochtour erfordert Er- Metern der Gletscher erreicht – nun heißt es Steigeisen fahrung in Eis und Fels. Für den Aufstieg über den z.T. steilen anlegen und Anseilen, denn es gibt relativ große Spalten. Berner Alpen Gross Fiescherhorn (4049 m) 8 Die Berner Alpen in Reinform Bei einer Überschreitung des Gross Fiescherhorns von der Mönchsjochhütte über den Walchergrat, Fieschersattel, das Hintere Fiescherhorn und den Oberen Fiescherfirn zur Finsteraarhornhütte erlebt man die Berner Alpen mit ihren gewaltigen Gletschern in ihrer ganzen Wild- und Schönheit. -
Glacier Fluctuations During the Past 2000 Years
Quaternary Science Reviews 149 (2016) 61e90 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Quaternary Science Reviews journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/quascirev Invited review Glacier fluctuations during the past 2000 years * Olga N. Solomina a, , Raymond S. Bradley b, Vincent Jomelli c, Aslaug Geirsdottir d, Darrell S. Kaufman e, Johannes Koch f, Nicholas P. McKay e, Mariano Masiokas g, Gifford Miller h, Atle Nesje i, j, Kurt Nicolussi k, Lewis A. Owen l, Aaron E. Putnam m, n, Heinz Wanner o, Gregory Wiles p, Bao Yang q a Institute of Geography RAS, Staromonetny-29, 119017 Staromonetny, Moscow, Russia b Department of Geosciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA c Universite Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne, CNRS Laboratoire de Geographie Physique, 92195 Meudon, France d Department of Earth Sciences, University of Iceland, Askja, Sturlugata 7, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland e School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA f Department of Geography, Brandon University, Brandon, MB R7A 6A9, Canada g Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales (IANIGLA), CCT CONICET Mendoza, CC 330 Mendoza, Argentina h INSTAAR and Geological Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, USA i Department of Earth Science, University of Bergen, Allegaten 41, N-5007 Bergen, Norway j Uni Research Climate AS at Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, Bergen, Norway k Institute of Geography, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria l Department of Geology, -
Mer De Glace” (Mont Blanc Area, France) AD 1500–2050: an Interdisciplinary Approach Using New Historical Data and Neural Network Simulations
Zeitschrift für Gletscherkunde und Glazialgeologie Herausgegeben von MICHAEL KUHN BAND 40 (2005/2006) ISSN 0044-2836 UNIVERSITÄTSVERLAG WAGNER · INNSBRUCK 1907 wurde von Eduard Brückner in Wien der erste Band der Zeitschrift für Gletscherkunde, für Eiszeitforschung und Geschichte des Klimas fertig gestellt. Mit dem 16. Band über- nahm 1928 Raimund von Klebelsberg in Innsbruck die Herausgabe der Zeitschrift, deren 28. Band 1942 erschien. Nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg gab Klebelsberg die neue Zeitschrift für Gletscherkunde und Glazialgeologie im Universitätsverlag Wagner in Innsbruck heraus. Der erste Band erschien 1950. 1970 übernahmen Herfried Hoinkes und Hans Kinzl die Herausgeberschaft, von 1979 bis 2001 Gernot Patzelt und Michael Kuhn. In 1907 this Journal was founded by Eduard Brückner as Zeitschrift für Gletscherkunde, für Eiszeitforschung und Geschichte des Klimas. Raimund von Klebelsberg followed as editor in 1928, he started Zeitschrift für Gletscherkunde und Glazialgeologie anew with Vol.1 in 1950, followed by Hans Kinzl and Herfried Hoinkes in 1970 and by Gernot Patzelt and Michael Kuhn from 1979 to 2001. Herausgeber Michael Kuhn Editor Schriftleitung Angelika Neuner & Mercedes Blaas Executive editors Wissenschaftlicher Beirat Editorial advisory board Jon Ove Hagen, Oslo Ole Humlum, Longyearbyen Peter Jansson, Stockholm Georg Kaser, Innsbruck Vladimir Kotlyakov, Moskva Heinz Miller, Bremerhaven Koni Steffen, Boulder ISSN 0044-2836 Figure on front page: “Vue prise de la Voute nommée le Chapeau, du Glacier des Bois, et des Aiguilles. du Charmoz.”; signed down in the middle “fait par Jn. Ante. Linck.”; coloured contour etching; 36.2 x 48.7 cm; Bibliothèque publique et universitaire de Genève, 37 M Nr. 1964/181; Photograph by H. J. -
19Th Century Glacier Representations and Fluctuations in the Central and Western European Alps: an Interdisciplinary Approach ⁎ ⁎ H.J
Available online at www.sciencedirect.com Global and Planetary Change 60 (2008) 42–57 www.elsevier.com/locate/gloplacha 19th century glacier representations and fluctuations in the central and western European Alps: An interdisciplinary approach ⁎ ⁎ H.J. Zumbühl , D. Steiner , S.U. Nussbaumer Institute of Geography, University of Bern, Hallerstrasse 12, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland Received in revised form 22 August 2006; accepted 24 August 2006 Available online 22 February 2007 Abstract European Alpine glaciers are sensitive indicators of past climate and are thus valuable sources of climate history. Unfortunately, direct determinations of glacier changes (length variations and mass changes) did not start with increasing accuracy until just before the end of the 19th century. Therefore, historical and physical methods have to be used to reconstruct glacier variability for preceeding time periods. The Lower Grindelwald Glacier, Switzerland, and the Mer de Glace, France, are examples of well-documented Alpine glaciers with a wealth of different historical sources (e.g. drawings, paintings, prints, photographs, maps) that allow reconstruction of glacier length variations for the last 400–500 years. In this paper, we compare the length fluctuations of both glaciers for the 19th century until the present. During the 19th century a majority of Alpine glaciers – including the Lower Grindelwald Glacier and the Mer de Glace – have been affected by impressive glacier advances. The first maximum extent around 1820 has been documented by drawings from the artist Samuel Birmann, and the second maximum extent around 1855 is shown by photographs of the Bisson Brothers. These pictorial sources are among the best documents of the two glaciers for the 19th century. -
Modeling Glacier Thickness Distribution and Bed Topography Over Entire Mountain Ranges with Glabtop: Application of a Fast and Robust Approach
Zurich Open Repository and Archive University of Zurich Main Library Strickhofstrasse 39 CH-8057 Zurich www.zora.uzh.ch Year: 2012 Modeling glacier thickness distribution and bed topography over entire mountain ranges with GlabTop: Application of a fast and robust approach Linsbauer, Andreas ; Paul, Frank ; Haeberli, Wilfried Abstract: The combination of glacier outlines with digital elevation models (DEMs) opens new dimen- sions for research on climate change impacts over entire mountain chains. Of particular interest is the modeling of glacier thickness distribution, where several new approaches were proposed recently. The tool applied herein, GlabTop (Glacier bed Topography) is a fast and robust approach to model thickness distribution and bed topography for large glacier samples using a Geographic Information System (GIS). The method is based on an empirical relation between average basal shear stress and elevation range of individual glaciers, calibrated with geometric information from paleoglaciers, and validated with radio echo soundings on contemporary glaciers. It represents an alternative and independent test possibility for approaches based on mass-conservation and flow. As an example for using GlabTop in entire mountain ranges, we here present the modeled ice thickness distribution and bed topography for all Swiss glaciers along with a geomorphometric analysis of glacier characteristics and the overdeepenings found in the modeled glacier bed. These overdeepenings can be seen as potential sites for future lake formation and are thus highly relevant in connection with hydropower production and natural hazards. The thickest ice of the largest glaciers rests on weakly inclined bedrock at comparably low elevations, resulting in a limited potential for a terminus retreat to higher elevations. -
The Aletsch Arena – the Most Libera.Ng Natural Experience in The
The Aletsch Arena – the most libera2ng natural experience in the Alps! MICE Program proposi2on - 4 days/3 nights Discover a unique natural landscape with a special, unspoilt character all of its own. The three holiday and tourist des2na2ons of Riederalp, BeLmeralp and Fiesch-Eggishorn are situated close to the 23km Great Aletsch Glacier, the largest of its kind in the Alps and undisputed highlight of the UNESCO Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch World Heritage Site. In summer, the car-free Aletsch Arena offers 317km of hiking paths, via ferrata, treetop adventure courses, mountain bike trails, paragliding flights, three viewpoints, the Pro Natura Centre and the highest nine-hole golf course in Europe. Authen2c relaxa2on or cool adventures. ! Infrastructure Hotels Others Holiday apartments Classificaon Beds Accommoda5on Numbe Classificaon Beds r 4 star **** 244 Group accommoda2ons, 5 star ***** 252 Guesthouses and Youth 3 star *** 892 4 star **** 1075 hostels 18 2 star ** 118 3 star *** 3791 No classifica2on 320 Swiss Olympic Training Base 1 2 star ** 550 How to find us aletscharena.ch/geng-here Riederalp, BeLmeralp and Fiesch-Eggishorn are the three holiday resorts at the heart of the Aletsch Arena in the canton of Valais. They can be reached safely and easily by car or train at any 2me of year. Riederalp, BeLmeralp and Fiescheralp are all car free! The final part of the journey takes place by cable car from the sta2ons in Mörel, BeLen Valley or Fiesch. Day 1 11:00 – 11:30 Arrive in the Aletsch Arena (Riederalp, BeLmeralp or Fiesch-Eggishorn) Three viewpoints (Moosfluh, BeLmerhorn or Eggishorn) Hohfluh and Moosfluh – magnificent vantage points by the Great Aletsch Glacier The Moosfluh viewpoint, a high-energy site, is situated at 2,333m above sea level, close to the Hohfluh viewpoint at an al2tude of 2,227m. -
Top of Europe
98 THE ART OF CONTEMPORARY LUXURY • 99 TRAVEL MIND PHILOSOPHY Jungfraujoch Top of Europe Text by Desmund Teh, Sweezy Tan Photos by Qing, Courtesy of The Switzerland Tourism Board , Swiss Travel System 100 THE ART OF CONTEMPORARY LUXURY • 101 TRAVEL MIND PHILOSOPHY Building of the miraculous Jungfrau railway The construction and triumph of the Jungfrau Railway is one of the world’s most impressive rail engineering feats. Work began in 1896 and it took 16 years to complete the 9.2 km line with most of it tunnelling through the rock of the Eiger and Mönch mountains. The line was opened with a great celebration on 1 August 1912. It runs from Kleine Scheidegg through the Eiger to the highest railway station in Europe at 3,454 metres above sea level: Jungfraujoch–Top of Europe. Places to visit: • Alpine Sensation – Time travel to the early days of tourism in the Jungfrau region, learn history of the Jungfrau Railway and witness this tribute to the tunnel workers. • Ice Palace - Featuring impressive ice sculptures such as eagles, penguins and amphorae that transform the grottoes into shimmering works of art. • Glacier Plateau–Views of Jungfrau and Aletsch Glacier from the vantage platform is simply stunning! Sphinx terrace observatory offers magnificent all-round views beyond the borders. • Snow Fun Park on the Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe) – Experience the thrill of winter sports in summer: skiing and snowboarding, tobogganing and zip-line. *Did you know? Jungfraujoch has the highest-altitude post box in Switzerland, the highest-altitude chocolate shop in Europe and the highest- altitude watch shop in the world! Welcome at 3,454 metres above sea level. -
Adobe Photoshop
AIO lHE NEW YORK TIMES INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2019 lHE NEW YORK TIMES INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2019 N All As the Glaciers Melt, Switzerland Adjusts Glaciers in the Swiss By HENRY FOUNTAIN own making: Amid widespread public op Alps are retreating as GADMEN, SWITZERLAND - For hikers look position to nuclear power following the 2011 the earth warms. Tue ing for a daylong outing in central Switzer Fukushima accident in Japan, the Swiss land, the li'ift Glacier footbridge is a popu government has pledged to gradually warming has of late phase out thecountry's live reactors. Those led to an increase in lar destination. It's a short gondola ride from the village of Gadmen, followed by a reactors provide nearly all the restof Switz hydropower produc few miles' trek up a rocky path overlooking erland's power, and they are especially im tion. Eventua1ly the a granite gorge. portant in winter, when hydropower pro ice will retreat to an Those who successfully fight off a case of duction drops and energy demand in- extent that stream nerves - the slender cable-and-plank creases. flows will decline and bridge is more than 500 feet long and 300 The government's energy strategy calls power production will feet in the air - are rewarded with spectac for increases in wind, solar and geothermal power, which currently make up a small drop. However, the ular viewsofthe Trift Valley. But the glacier itself is hardly to be seen. Bec.ause of a share of electricity production. The Swiss va1leys le~ behind warming atmosphere, it has retreated rap are also counting on hydropower compa may be ideal sites to idly this century. -
Climate Change Impacts on Glaciers and Runoff in Alpine Catchments
Climate Change Impacts on Glaciers and Runoff in Alpine catchments Saeid A. Vaghefi Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology University of Geneva, Institute for Environmental Science [email protected] Outline 1. SWATCH21 project 2. Importance of glacier retreat modeling in determination of runoff at basin scale (Why?) 3. How to quantify the glacier melt (How?) 4. The “Glacier Evolution Runoff Model” (GERM) + SWAT 5. Aletsch Glacier in Rhone river basin, Switzerland 6. Calibration protocol for discharge in mountainous catchments 7. Climate change impact on Aletsch Glacier SWATCH21 Project 2017-2020, Founded by SNF SWATCH21 Deliverables and Objectives Data collection for SWAT to model spatial distribution of water resources in Switzerland Build, calibrate and validate a hydrologic model of Switzerland with uncertainty analysis Quantify the impact of land use and climate change on water quantity, water quality, biodiversity and ecosystem services … Modeling the glaciers retreat and evolution in Swiss Alps SWATCH21 team Prof. Dr. Anthony Lehmann Prof. Dr. karim Abbaspour Prof. Dr. Daniel Farinotti PD. Dr. Christian Huggel University of Geneva Eawag ETHZ University of Zurich Marc Fasel University of Geneva Pablo Timoner University of Geneva Dr. Saeid Vaghefi Martin Lacayo University of Geneva University of Geneva Eawag Why to quantify glacier melt? Global water cycle Ice caps and mountainous glaciers: contain less than 1% of all global ice (Meier et al. 2007) cover 734,400 km2 of the Earth (Gardner et al. 2013) correspond to one-third to on-half of global sea-level rise in last decades(global) in the European Alps (ca. 2050 km2 on 3800 glaciers) produce an annual average Trenberth et al.