glacier mass balance data 2006 and 2007

1   Summary of the balance years
Preliminary mass balance values for the observation periods 2005/06 and 2006/07 have been reported now from more than 100 and 80 glaciers worldwide, respectively. The mass balance statistics (Table 1) are calculated based on all reported values as well as on the data from the 30 reference glaciers in 9 mountain ranges (Table 2) with continuous observation series back to 1980.
The average mass balance of the glaciers with available long-term observation series around the world continues to decrease, with tentative figures indicating a further thickness reduction of 1.3 and 0.7 metres water equivalent (m w.e.) during the hydrological years 2006 and 2007, respectively. The new data continues the global trend in accelerated ice loss over the past few decades and brings the cumulative average thickness loss of the reference glaciers since 1980 at almost 11.3 m w.e. (see Figures 1 and 2). All so far reported tentative mass balance values for the two observation periods are given in Table 3.
Table 1: Overview on mass balance data. Statistics are given for all reported glaciers (ALL) and the 30 reference glaciers with continuous long-term observation series (REF).
.
2005/06
2006/07
.
ALL
REF
ALL
REF
Mean annual specific mass balance (mm w.e.)
-1048
-1255
 -528 -673
Standard deviation (mm w.e.) 974 843 919 1049
Minimum value (mm w.e.) -3980 -3190 -2783 -2783
Maximum value (mm w.e.) 3289 560 1880 1270
Number of positive/reported balances 7/104 1/29 19/82 5/30

Table 2: Reference glaciers with continuous long-term observation series.

Mountain range Glaciers
Cascade Mtns. Place, South Cascade
Svalbard Austre Broeggerbreen, Midtre Lovénbreen
Andes Echaurren Norte
Alaska Gulkana, Wolverine
Scandinavia Engabreen, Alfotbreen, Nigardsbreen, Grasubreen, Storbreen, Hellstugubreen, Hardangerjoekulen, Storglaciaeren
Alps Saint Sorlin, Sarennes, Silvretta, Gries, Sonnblickkees, Vernagtferner, Kesselwandferner, Hintereisferner, Careser
Altai No. 125 (Vodopadniy), Maliy Aktru, Leviy Aktru
Caucasus Djankuat
Tien Shan Ts. Tuyuksuyskiy, Urumqihe S.No.1

The corresponding annual and cumulative mass balance results of this data set from glaciers in the Americas and Eurasia are visualized in the following two figures:


Figure 1: Mean annual specific mass balance of reference glaciers. pdf


Figure 2: Mean cumulative specific mass balance of all reported glaciers (black line) and the reference glaciers (red line).pdf


For more detailed analysis of the global mass balance dataset, see the following selected publications and references therein:
  • Braithwaite, R.J. 2002. Glacier mass balance: the first 50 years of international monitoring. Progr. Phys. Geogr., 26 (1), 76-95.

  • Cogley, J.G. and W.P. Adams. 1998. Mass balance of glaciers other than the ice sheets. J. Glaciol., 44 (147), 315-325.

  • Dyurgerov, M.B. 2002. Glacier mass balance and regime: data of measurements and analysis. Boulder, CO, University of Colorado, Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research. INSTAAR Occasional Paper 55.

  • Dyurgerov, M.B. and M.F. Meier. 2005. Glaciers and the changing Earth system: a 2004 snapshot. Boulder, CO, University of Colorado, Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research. INSTAAR Occasional Paper 58.

  • Kaser, G., Cogley, J.G., Dyurgerov, M.B., Meier, M.F. and A. Ohmura. 2006. Mass balance of glaciers and ice caps: consensus estimates for 1961-2004. Geophys. Res. Lett., 33 (19), L19501.

  • Meier, M.F., Dyurgerov, M.B., Rick, U.K., O'Neel, S., Pfeffer, W.T., Anderson, R.S., Anderson, S.P. and A.F. Glazovsky.2007. Glaciers dominate eustatic sea-level rise in the 21st century. Science, 317 (5841): 1064-1067.

  • Ohmura, A. 2006. Changes in mountain glaciers and ice caps during the 20th century. Ann. Glaciol., 43, 361-368.

  • WGMS. 2008. Global Glacier Changes: facts and figures. Zemp, M., Roer, I., Kääb, A., Hoelzle, M., Paul, F. and W. Haeberli (eds.), UNEP, World Glacier Monitoring Service, Zurich, Switzerland: 88 pp.

  • Zemp, M., Hoelzle, M. and W. Haeberli.2009. Six decades of glacier mass balance observations - a review of the worldwide monitoring network. Annals of Glaciology, 50A018.



2   Preliminary mass balance data

Table 3: Reported preliminary mass balance values of the observation periods 2005/06 and 2006/07.

Name b06
b07
[mm w.e.]
[mm w.e.]
Antarctica
Bahia del Diablo -584
-84
Argentina
Martial Este -510
n.a.
Austria
Grosser Goldbergkees -1077
n.a.
Hintereisferner -1516
-1797
Jamtalferner -1292
-1438
Kesselwandferner -617
-837
Kleiner Fleisskees -655
n.a.
Pasterzenkees -1232
n.a.
Sonnblickkees -621
-2175
Vernagtferner -882
-966
Wurtenkees -778
n.a.
Bolivia
Chacaltaya -1199
-1652
Charquini sur -376
-482
Zongo -122
-173
Canada
Baby Glacier n.a.
n.a.
Devon Ice Cap NW -242
-291
Helm -2750
-210
Meighen Ice Cap -8
-518
Peyto -1650
-1850
Place -1900
-150
White -93
-818
Chile
Echaurren Norte 560
-130
China
Urumqihe S.No.1 n.a.
-664
Colombia
La Conejera (Sta Isabel) n.a.
-996
Ritacuba Negro (La Cocuy) n.a.
-2227
Ecuador
Antizana 15 Alpha -450
-591
France
Argentìere -1420
-590
Gebroulaz -1000
-910
Ossoue -2710
-1380
Saint Sorlin -1440
-2250
Sarennes -2380
-2520
Greenland
Mittivakkat -590
n.a.
Iceland
Breidamjökull E. B. n.a.
n.a.
Bruarjökull -790
-536
Dyngjujökull -353
95
Eyabakkajökull -1425
-636
Hofsjökull E -490
n.a.
Hofsjökull N -510
n.a.
Hofsjökull SW -610
n.a.
Koeldukvislarjökull -402
-342
Langjökull Southern Dome -1080
-1412
Tungnaarjökull -1569
-997
India
Chhota Shigri -1413
n.a.
Hamtah -1391
n.a.
Italy
Calderone 1090
-2320
Careser -2169
-2783
Ciardoney -2099
-1490
Fontana Bianca -1753
-1607
Malavalle -1327
n.a.
Pendente -1780
n.a.
Vedretta Lunga -1460
-1616
Japan
Hamaguri Yuki 3289
-609
Kazakhstan
Ts. Tuyuksuyskiy -969
-845
New Zealand
Brewster 241
-13
Norway
Aalfotbreen -3190
1270
Austdalsbreeen -2060
180
Austre Broeggerbreen -730
-460
Blomstolskar
n.a.
1880
Breidalblikkbrea -2940
430
Elisebreen -726
n.a.
Engabreen -1430
1030
Graafjellsbreen -3040
780
Graasubreen -2080
-710
Hansbreen 90
0
Hansebreen -3980
840
Hardangerjoekulen -2220
1170
Hellstugubreen -2010
-670
Irenebreen -822
n.a.
Kongsvegen 20
-90
Langfjordjoekul -2410
-810
Midtre Lovenbreen -480
-250
Nigardsbreen -1400
1040
Rundvassbreen n.a.
n.a.
Storbreen -2150
-390
Storglombreen n.a.
n.a.
Svelgjabreen n.a.
1350
Waldemarbreen -747
n.a.
Peru
Artesonraju n.a.
n.a.
Yanamarey n.a.
n.a.
Russia
Djankuat -800
-1300
Garabashi -650
n.a.
Leviy Aktru -190
-320
Maliy Aktru -140
-300
No. 125 (Vodopadniy) -260
-270
Spain
Maladeta -1783
-947
Sweden
Marmaglaciaeren -1640
n.a.
Rabots Glaciaer -1190
n.a.
Riukojietna -1390
n.a.
Storglaciaeren -1680
410
Tarfalaglaciaeren -2520
n.a.
Switzerland
Basodino -2501
-902
Findelen -1200
-200
Gries -1885
-1729
Silvretta -1273
-1254
USA
Columbia (2057) -980
-370
Daniels -1250
120
Easton -790
260
Emmons -1
n.a.
Foss -1020
-380
Gulkana -330
-920
Ice Worm -1350
-620
Lemon Creek -170
150
Lower Curtis -1060
-400
Lynch -1050
70
Nisqually -76
n.a.
Noisy Creek -32
n.a.
North Klawatti -338
n.a.
Rainbow -610
200
Sandalee -310
n.a.
Sholes -710
-130
Silver -101
n.a.
South Cascade -1450
-210
Taku 230
480
Wolverine -760
-840
Yawning -930
290

last change 30/01/2009, ir