30-Year Record of Surface Mass Balance (1966-95) and Motion and Surface Altitude (1975-95) at Wolverine Glacier, Alaska
Dates
Year
2004
Citation
Mayo, Lawrence R., Trabant, Dennis C., and March, Rod S., 2004, 30-Year Record of Surface Mass Balance (1966-95) and Motion and Surface Altitude (1975-95) at Wolverine Glacier, Alaska: United States Geological Survey: Fairbanks, Alaska, v. Open-File Report 2004-1069, 118 p.
Summary
Scientific measurements at Wolverine Glacier, on the Kenai Peninsula in south-central Alaska, began in April 1966. At three long-term sites in the research basin, the measurements included snow depth, snow density, heights of the glacier surface and stratigraphic summer surfaces on stakes, and identification of the surface materials. Calculations of the mass balance of the surface strata - snow, new firn, superimposed ice, and old firn and ice mass at each site were based on these measurements. Calculations of fixed-date annual mass balances for each hydrologic year (October 1 to September 30), as well as net balances and the dates of minimum net balance measured between time-transgressive summer surfaces on the glacier, were made [...]
Summary
Scientific measurements at Wolverine Glacier, on the Kenai Peninsula in south-central Alaska, began in April 1966. At three long-term sites in the research basin, the measurements included snow depth, snow density, heights of the glacier surface and stratigraphic summer surfaces on stakes, and identification of the surface materials. Calculations of the mass balance of the surface strata - snow, new firn, superimposed ice, and old firn and ice mass at each site were based on these measurements. Calculations of fixed-date annual mass balances for each hydrologic year (October 1 to September 30), as well as net balances and the dates of minimum net balance measured between time-transgressive summer surfaces on the glacier, were made on the basis of the strata balances augmented by air temperature and precipitation recorded in the basin. Geodetic determination of displacements of the mass balance stake, and glacier surface altitudes was added to the data set in 1975 to detect the glacier motion responses to variable climate and mass balance conditions. In this report, only surface mass balances are reported for these sites; internal freezing and melting processes are known, but not discussed here. In 1975, additional measurements of glacier surface altitude at fixed locations and ice motion began at the three sites. The purpose of establishing these three sites was to make year-round measurements of mass balance, flow, and surface altitude changes continuously over the long periods of time required for climate change research. The complete time-series of measurements of glacier mass balance, motion, and surface- altitude at each of these sites are presented in tables and graphs in this report.
