Preliminary Notes on the Glaciology of Kilimanjaro

Abstract Glaciological studies during the Sheffield University Expeditions to Kilimanjaro in 1953 and 1957 included a survey of the glaciers and a close examination of the Penck Glacier and the stagnant remnants of the ice cap on the summit. The Penck Glacier has done little downcutting although it...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Glaciology
Main Author: Humphries, D. W.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1959
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Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000017226
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000017226
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Summary:Abstract Glaciological studies during the Sheffield University Expeditions to Kilimanjaro in 1953 and 1957 included a survey of the glaciers and a close examination of the Penck Glacier and the stagnant remnants of the ice cap on the summit. The Penck Glacier has done little downcutting although it rests on friable rock. The glaciers and summit remnants are rapidly retreating, the Penck Glacier having retreated 3 m. in 3 months in 1957, and nearly 300 m. since 1912. The main accumulation zone appears to be at about 4,500–5,000 m. with a local “low level” firn line and an upper firn line above the top of the mountain. Maps of the glaciers, their recent fluctuations and moraines are being prepared. The glaciological and meteorological observations in 1957 form part of the I.G.Y. programme for East Africa.