A simple parameterization for ice sheet ablation rate

A parameterization of monthly mean ice sheet ablation as a function only of surface air temperature and insolation is examined. By considering differences in summer climate between the present and the last ice age, it is suggested that the parameterization adequately describes long-term changes in a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Tellus
Main Author: Pollard, David
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Munskgaard 1980
Subjects:
Online Access:https://authors.library.caltech.edu/59344/
https://authors.library.caltech.edu/59344/1/j.2153-3490.1980.tb00965.x.pdf
https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20150810-093723012
Description
Summary:A parameterization of monthly mean ice sheet ablation as a function only of surface air temperature and insolation is examined. By considering differences in summer climate between the present and the last ice age, it is suggested that the parameterization adequately describes long-term changes in ablation. Although significant discrepancies are found between the parameterization and the seasonal variation of ablation observed on present-day glaciers, the seasonal ablation cycle is still predicted accurately enough to maintain the validity of the parameterization for long-term net annual variations.