glacier mass balance data 2008 and 2009

1   Summary of the balance years

Preliminary mass balance values for the observation periods 2007/08 and 2008/09 have been reported now from about 100 glaciers worldwide. 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 be negative, with tentative figures indicating a further thickness reduction of 0.5 and 0.6 metres water equivalent (m w.e.) during the hydrological years 2008 and 2009, respectively. The new data continues the global trend in strong ice loss over the past few decades and brings the cumulative average thickness loss of the reference glaciers since 1980 at about 12.5 m w.e. (see Figures 1 and 2). All so far reported mass balance values for the two observation periods, given in Table 3, are tentative.

Please note, the latest update of mass balance data 2008 and 2009 will be available with the publication of the ‘Glacier Mass Balance Bulletin’ (GMBB) No. 11by end of the year 2011!

 

Table 1: Overview on mass balance data 2007/08 and 2008/09. Statistics are given for all reported glaciers (ALL) and for the available 'reference' glaciers with continuous long-term observation series (REF).
.
2007/08
2008/09
.
ALL
REF
ALL
REF
Mean annual specific mass balance (mm w.e.)
-353
-458
 -798 -587
Standard deviation (mm w.e.) 769 844 855 990
Minimum value (mm w.e.) -2340 -2340 -3900 -3900
Maximum value (mm w.e.) 1580 1090 1070 590
Number of positive/reported balances 37/111 9/30 15/109 8/29

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 mass balance of reference glaciers. pdf


Figure 2: Mean cumulative 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 2007/08 and 2008/09.

Name b08
b09
[mm w.e.]
[mm w.e.]
Antarctica
Bahia del Diablo -530
-255
Hurd 190
-390
Johnsons 90
-170
Argentina
Martial Este -56
-119
Austria
Grosser Goldbergkees -651
-542
Hintereisferner -1235
-918
Jamtalferner -981
-954
Kesselwandferner -444
-795
Kleiner Fleisskees -623
-403
Pasterzenkees -1421
-1120
Sonnblickkees -777
-254
Vernagtferner -843
-959
Wurtenkees -938
-584
Bolivia
Chacaltaya gone
gone
Charquini sur 161
-1616
Zongo 257
-631
Canada
Baby Glacier n.a.
n.a.
Devon Ice Cap NW -394
-523
Helm -2100
n.a.
Meighen Ice Cap -705
-676
Peyto -230
n.a.
Place -470
n.a.
White -778
-580
Chile
Echaurren Norte -540
80
China
Urumqihe S.No.1 -931
63
Colombia
La Conejera (Sta Isabel) n.a.
-2483
Ritacuba Negro (La Cocuy) n.a.
n.a.
Ecuador
Antizana 15 Alpha 337
-75
France
Argentìere -1320
-2650
Gebroulaz -1050
-1970
Ossoue -120
-1630
Saint Sorlin -1810
-2650
Sarennes -2340
-3900
Greenland
Mittivakkat -530
-1010
Freya glacier -510
-466
Iceland
Breidamjökull E. B. n.a.
n.a.
Bruarjökull -503
-122
Dyngjujökull -24
227
Eyabakkajökull -1282
-507
Hofsjökull E -790
-170
Hofsjökull N -570
-350
Hofsjökull SW -930
-350
Koeldukvislarjökull -587
-134
Langjökull Southern Dome -1842
-362
Tungnaarjökull -1340
-809
India
Chhota Shigri n.a.
n.a.
Hamtah n.a.
n.a.
Italy
Calderone 275
401
Careser -1952
-1268
Ciardoney -1510
-490
Fontana Bianca -1246
-622
Grand Etret -1363
373
Lunga (Vedretta) -1637
-1007
Malavalle -900
-424
Pendente -1484
-844
Rieserferner (Vedretta Occ. di Ries) n.a.
-612
Japan
Hamaguri Yuki 1580
-3188
Kazakhstan
Ts. Tuyuksuyskiy -1357
206
New Zealand
Brewster -1653
-828
Norway
Aalfotbreen 680
-170
Austdalsbreeen -70
-700
Austre Broeggerbreen -127
-246
Blomstolskar
1330
1070
Breidalblikkbrea -300
-520
Elisebreen -172
n.a.
Engabreen 310
-30
Graafjellsbreen -140
-540
Graasubreen 90
-280
Hansbreen 150
-843
Hansebreen 260
-970
Hardangerjoekulen 450
150
Hellstugubreen -60
-230
Irenebreen -357
-630
Kongsvegen 418
-78
Langfjordjoekul -350
-1320
Midtre Lovenbreen -9
-138
Nigardsbreen 1090
240
Rundvassbreen n.a.
n.a.
Storbreen 110
-220
Storglombreen n.a.
n.a.
Svelgjabreen 730
360
Waldemarbreen -322
-649
Peru
Artesonraju 471
-658
Yanamarey 89
-525
Russia
Djankuat 100
-120
Garabashi -423
-371
Leviy Aktru -810
470
Maliy Aktru -870
590
No. 125 (Vodopadniy) -720
380
Spain
Maladeta -38
-1415
Sweden
Marmaglaciaeren 120
-1390
Rabots Glaciaer 350
-500
Riukojietna -590
-720
Storglaciaeren 580
-530
Tarfalaglaciaeren -200
-1710
Switzerland
Basodino -1168
130
Findelen -300
100
Gries -1601
-883
Pizol -731
-1220
Silvretta -639
-1097
USA
Columbia (2057) 960
-900
Daniels 400
-1350
Easton 450
-2060
Emmons -630
-1800
Foss 180
-2020
Gulkana -180
-720
Ice Worm

-100
-1560
Lemon Creek 800
-700
Lower Curtis 120
-2150
Lynch 510
-1820
Nisqually -1080
-1640
Noisy Creek -290
-1190
North Klawatti -220
-1830
Rainbow 650
-1980
Sandalee -140
-650
Sholes 200
-2680
Silver 260
-1990
South Cascade -300
-2000
Taku 950
-310
Wolverine 880
-1780
Yawning 480
-1620

last change 06/10/2011, igr