A New Climatic Model for Glacier Behavior of the Austrian Alps

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Author: Posamentier, Henry W.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1977
• Subjects: Earth-Surface Processes; Journal of Glaciology
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000021511; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000021511

Abstract Two climatic models are proposed for the fluctuation of Austrian Alpine glacier termini. The glacier record, based on annual observations by the Österreichische Alpenverein. is related to climatological data from the high-elevation Sonnblick-Observatorium. Monthly mean temperature and total precipitation during the ablation season for the concurrent plus preceding eleven years are the variables used in this analysis. The preferred model, mean temperature for June, July and August for the concurrent plus preceding seven years, is inversely related to glacier advance. This model was derived by combining those variables with the highest correlation coefficient relative to the glacier record. Mean lag time between climate and glacier termini response seems to be seven years. The second and less preferred model is derived by multiple regression analysis and includes seven variables temperature and precipitation. Variation in the glacier behavior record accounted for by the two models is 71% and 67% respectively.