Midlatitude Forcing Mechanisms for Glacier Mass Balance Investigated Using General Circulation Models
A process-oriented modeling approach is applied in order to simulate glacier mass balance for individual glaciers using statistically downscaled general circulation models (GCMs). Glacier-specific seasonal sensitivity characteristics based on a mass balance model of intermediate complexity are used...
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ftunivutrecht:oai:dspace.library.uu.nl:1874/21432 2023-07-23T04:19:24+02:00 Midlatitude Forcing Mechanisms for Glacier Mass Balance Investigated Using General Circulation Models Reichert, B.K. Bengtsson, L. Oerlemans, J. 2001 image/pdf https://dspace.library.uu.nl/handle/1874/21432 en eng 0894-8755 https://dspace.library.uu.nl/handle/1874/21432 info:eu-repo/semantics/ClosedAccess Natuur- en Sterrenkunde Article 2001 ftunivutrecht 2023-07-01T23:18:48Z A process-oriented modeling approach is applied in order to simulate glacier mass balance for individual glaciers using statistically downscaled general circulation models (GCMs). Glacier-specific seasonal sensitivity characteristics based on a mass balance model of intermediate complexity are used to simulate mass balances of Nigardsbreen (Norway) and Rhonegletscher (Switzerland). Simulations using reanalyses (ECMWF) for the period 1979–93 are in good agreement with in situ mass balance measurements for Nigardsbreen. The method is applied to multicentury integrations of coupled (ECHAM4/OPYC) and mixed-layer (ECHAM4/MLO) GCMs excluding external forcing. A high correlation between decadal variations in the North Atlantic oscillation (NAO) and mass balance of the glaciers is found. The dominant factor for this relationship is the strong impact of winter precipitation associated with the NAO. A high NAO phase means enhanced (reduced) winter precipitation for Nigardsbreen (Rhonegletscher), typically leading to a higher (lower) than normal annual mass balance. This mechanism, entirely due to internal variations in the climate system, can explain observed strong positive mass balances for Nigardsbreen and other maritime Norwegian glaciers within the period 1980–95. It can also partly be responsible for recent strong negative mass balances of Alpine glaciers. Article in Journal/Newspaper glacier North Atlantic North Atlantic oscillation Utrecht University Repository Norway |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Utrecht University Repository |
op_collection_id |
ftunivutrecht |
language |
English |
topic |
Natuur- en Sterrenkunde |
spellingShingle |
Natuur- en Sterrenkunde Reichert, B.K. Bengtsson, L. Oerlemans, J. Midlatitude Forcing Mechanisms for Glacier Mass Balance Investigated Using General Circulation Models |
topic_facet |
Natuur- en Sterrenkunde |
description |
A process-oriented modeling approach is applied in order to simulate glacier mass balance for individual glaciers using statistically downscaled general circulation models (GCMs). Glacier-specific seasonal sensitivity characteristics based on a mass balance model of intermediate complexity are used to simulate mass balances of Nigardsbreen (Norway) and Rhonegletscher (Switzerland). Simulations using reanalyses (ECMWF) for the period 1979–93 are in good agreement with in situ mass balance measurements for Nigardsbreen. The method is applied to multicentury integrations of coupled (ECHAM4/OPYC) and mixed-layer (ECHAM4/MLO) GCMs excluding external forcing. A high correlation between decadal variations in the North Atlantic oscillation (NAO) and mass balance of the glaciers is found. The dominant factor for this relationship is the strong impact of winter precipitation associated with the NAO. A high NAO phase means enhanced (reduced) winter precipitation for Nigardsbreen (Rhonegletscher), typically leading to a higher (lower) than normal annual mass balance. This mechanism, entirely due to internal variations in the climate system, can explain observed strong positive mass balances for Nigardsbreen and other maritime Norwegian glaciers within the period 1980–95. It can also partly be responsible for recent strong negative mass balances of Alpine glaciers. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Reichert, B.K. Bengtsson, L. Oerlemans, J. |
author_facet |
Reichert, B.K. Bengtsson, L. Oerlemans, J. |
author_sort |
Reichert, B.K. |
title |
Midlatitude Forcing Mechanisms for Glacier Mass Balance Investigated Using General Circulation Models |
title_short |
Midlatitude Forcing Mechanisms for Glacier Mass Balance Investigated Using General Circulation Models |
title_full |
Midlatitude Forcing Mechanisms for Glacier Mass Balance Investigated Using General Circulation Models |
title_fullStr |
Midlatitude Forcing Mechanisms for Glacier Mass Balance Investigated Using General Circulation Models |
title_full_unstemmed |
Midlatitude Forcing Mechanisms for Glacier Mass Balance Investigated Using General Circulation Models |
title_sort |
midlatitude forcing mechanisms for glacier mass balance investigated using general circulation models |
publishDate |
2001 |
url |
https://dspace.library.uu.nl/handle/1874/21432 |
geographic |
Norway |
geographic_facet |
Norway |
genre |
glacier North Atlantic North Atlantic oscillation |
genre_facet |
glacier North Atlantic North Atlantic oscillation |
op_relation |
0894-8755 https://dspace.library.uu.nl/handle/1874/21432 |
op_rights |
info:eu-repo/semantics/ClosedAccess |
_version_ |
1772182412731613184 |