Terminus Response of Lewis Glacier, Mount Kenya, Kenya, to Sinusoidal Net-Balance Forcing

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Author: Kruss, Phillip
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1984
• Subjects: Earth-Surface Processes; Journal of Glaciology; Lewis Glacier
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000005943; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000005943

Abstract Climatic change occurs over a wide range of time scales. Each glacier responds in a unique fashion to this spectrum of climatic forcings. The response of the extent of the Lewis Glacier terminus to sinusoidal fluctuation in the net balance is calculated. The net balance versus elevation profile is separately translated along the orthogonal balance and elevation axes. Net balance amplitudes of 0.1 to 0.5 m a −1 of ice and 10 to 50 m elevation, respectively, and periods ranging from 20 to 1000 years are covered. The time lag between forcing and terminus response is dependent on applied period, reaching a maximum of about 30 years at 1000 years period, but is independent of applied amplitude. For the shorter applied periods the response amplitude increases rapidly with period but asymptotically approaches a maximum at periods above approximately 200 years; it is linearly dependent on applied amplitude. Consideration of the Lewis Glacier response taken in perspective with similar results for other alpine glaciers identifies general characteristics of the terminus response.