Assessment of mass-balance variations within a sparse stake network, qamanârssûp sermia, west greenland

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Author: Braithwaite, Roger J.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1986
• Subjects: Earth-Surface Processes; Greenland; Qamanârssûp Sermia; Journal of Glaciology
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000006869; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000006869

Abstract Variations of area-averaged annual balance can be calculated from sparse stake networks, if the specific balances satisfy a simple version of the linear model proposed by Lliboutry. The linear model is tested with 4 years of data at 13 stakes on Qamanârssûp sermia, West Greenland, and is satisfied with a model error of ±0.34 m water equivalent. From analyses of data from three stakes a few metres apart, the random error in the measurement of annual balance is estimated to be greater than ±0.23 m water equivalent. The variation in balance for the 4 years is ±0.52 m water equivalent which reflects the year–to–year variation in climate. The shortness of the present data series is admitted and its continuation is recommended.