Snow, ice, and total glacier mass balance measurements, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica (1993-2020, ongoing)

• Main Authors: Gooseff, Michael, Fountain, Andrew
• Format: Dataset
• Language: English
• Published: Environmental Data Initiative 2022
• Subjects: Canada; McMurdo Dry Valleys; Miers; Miers Valley; Taylor Valley; Antarc*; Antarctica; glacier*
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.6073/pasta/4941aa77d931b089cad4ec02343b479f; https://portal.edirepository.org/nis/mapbrowse?packageid=knb-lter-mcm.2006.8

As part of the Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) project in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica, a systematic sampling program has been undertaken to monitor glacial mass balance and meltwater flow. This data package includes mass balance changes at each stake on six glaciers (Canada, Commonwealth, Hughes, Suess, Howard, and Taylor) in Taylor Valley and one glacier (Adams) in Miers Valley, all of which are located in the McMurdo Dry Valleys region of Antarctica. The values are the result of an analysis of the raw data presented in other data files (glacier stake heights, snow depths, and glacier snow densities). Included here for each stake are the change in ice and snow water equivalent (mass) values, and the total mass change. The standard deviation or the range for each total is also given. Most measurements began during the 93-94 field season. Adams measurements were established during the 14-15 field season. Measurements are ongoing except at Hughes and Suess Glaciers where monitoring ceased following the 08-09 field season. Monitoring the changes in these measurements over time provides a record of mass balance, and aids in determining the role of glaciers in the polar hydrologic cycle.