Changes in surface elevation and extent of the Kaskawulsh Glacier, Yukon Territory

• Main Author: Foy, Norah
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa 2009
• Subjects: Physical Geography.; Geomorphology.; Greenland; Hooker; Johannessen; Kaskawulsh Glacier; Nesje; New Zealand; Yukon; Antarc*; Antarctica; glacier; glaciers; Alaska
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.20381/ruor-12535; http://www.ruor.uottawa.ca/handle/10393/28408

Between 1977 and 2007, the Kaskawulsh Glacier underwent an overall decrease in volume of between 2.76 km3 water equivalent (we) and 4.60 km3 we, and a decrease in area of 2.27%. Volume losses are consistent with changes observed at most glaciers in the Yukon/Alaska region which are thinning and/or retreating (Arendt et al. 2006; Chen et al. 2006a; Larsen et al. 2007; Molnia 2007). The rate of volume change over the periods 1977-1995 and 1995-2007 remained constant at -0.52 km3 yr-1 we, while between 2000 and 2007 the glacier gained volume at a rate of 1.04 km3 yr-1 we. Gains in the recent 2000-2007 period result from prominent thickening in the accumulation area above 1989 m (+16.9 m) and minor thickening in the ablation area (+0.5 m). The observed thickening pattern is similar to patterns observed in Greenland (Chen et al. 2006b; Johannessen et al. 2005; Luthcke et al. 2008b), Antarctica (Davis et al. 2005), the Karakoram Himalaya (Hewitt 2005), New Zealand (Chinn 1999; Hooker and Fitzharris 1999), Scandinavia (Bamber et al. 2004; Chinn et al. 2005, Nesje et al. 2000), and Alaska (Arendt et al. 2008; Muskett et al. 2(03). Between 1956 and 2007, the glacier terminus retreated by an average of 655 m (13 m yr-1). No scaling ratio between terminus retreat and volume change could be established for the Kaskawulsh Glacier for the period 1977-2007.