A hydrogeological conceptual model of aquifers in catchments headed by temperate glaciers

• Main Authors: Vincent, Aude, Daigre, Clémence, Fischer, Ophélie, Aðalgeirsdóttir, Guðfinna, Violette, Sophie, Hart, Jane, Guðmundsson, Snævarr, Pálsson, Finnur
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: Vatnajökull
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-1442; https://egusphere.copernicus.org/preprints/2023/egusphere-2022-1442/

Achieving understanding and quantification of unknown aquifer systems in glacial context is crucial to forecast the evolution under climate change of water resources and of potential floods and landslides hazards. We focus on four south-eastern outlet glaciers of the main Icelandic icecap, Vatnajökull. New data are being acquired in the field to characterise groundwater dynamics. From this we propose a hydrogeological conceptual model: two distinct aquifers and their hydraulic conductivities are identified. A comprehensive water balance at the scale of the watershed has been obtained. Recharge to the aquifers is 4 times higher under the glaciers than on the plain, and we demonstrate the glacial melt recharge impact on the groundwater dynamic.