glacier mass balance data 2004



1   Summary of the balance year 2003/2004
Continuous mass balance statistics are calculated based on the 30 glaciers in 9 mountain ranges***. Data are now available for the years 1980-2004.
Results of the extreme and mean values for the year 2003/2004 have been calculated based on these 30 glaciers:
. 2003/2004
Mean specific (annual) net balance -725 mm w.e.
Standard deviation 905 mm w.e.
Minimum value -2820 mm w.e.
Maximum value 550 mm w.e.
Positive balances 20 %



The corresponding results of this data set from glaciers in the Americas and Eurasia are visualized in the following two graphs:




Figure 1a and 1b: Mean net balance (top) and cumulative mean net balance (bottom) continuously measured for the period 1980 to 2004 on 30 glaciers in 9 mountain ranges.


For more details on monitoring strategy, long-term trends and the extraordinary year 2003 in Central Europe (including references), see:

  • Bishop, M.P., Olsenholler, J.A., Shroder, J.F., Barry, R.G., Raup, B.H., Bush, A.B.G., Copland, L., Dwyer, J.L., Fountain, A.G., Haeberli, W., Kääb, A., Paul, F., Hall, D.K., Kargel, J.S., Molnia, B.F., Trabant, D.C. and Wessels R. 2004. Global land ice measurements from space (GLIMS): Remote sensing and GIS investigations of the Earth's cyrosphere. Geocarto International, 19/2, 57-84.

  • Haeberli, W. 2004. Glaciers and ice caps: historical background and strategies of world-wide monitoring. In: Bamber, J.L. and Payne A.J. (eds). Mass Balance of the Cryosphere. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 559-578.

  • Haeberli, W. and Holzhauser, H. 2003. Alpine glacier mass changes during the past two millennia. Pages News, 1/11, 13-15.

  • Haeberli, W., Maisch, M. and Paul, F. 2002. Mountain glaciers in global glimate-related observation networks. WMO Bulletin, 51/1, 18-25.

  • Haeberli, W., Frauenfelder, R., Hoelzle, M. and Maisch, M. 1999. On rates and acceleration trends of global glacier mass changes. Geografiska Annaler, 81A(4), 585–591.

  • Zemp, M., Frauenfelder, R., Haeberli, W. and Hoelzle, M. in press. Worldwide glacier mass balance measurements: general trends and first results of the extraordinary year 2003 in Central Europe. Data of Glaciological Studies [Materialy glyatsiologicheskikh issledovaniy], 99, Moscow, Russia.

  • Frauenfelder, R., Zemp, M., Haeberli, W. and Hoelzle, M. 2005. Worldwide glacier mass balance measurements: trends and first results of an extraordinary year in Central Europe. Ice and Climate News 6, 9-10.





*** .
Mountain range Glaciers
Cascade Mtns. Place, South Cascade
Svalbard Austre Broeggerbreen, Midre Lovenbreen
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





2   Mass balance data 2003/2004

Name b 04
[mm w.e.]
Antarctica
Bahia del Diablo -110
Argentina
Martial Este -1256
Austria
Hintereisferner -667
Jamtal F. -228
Kesselwandferner -189
Sonnblickkees 8
Vernagtferner -407
Wurten K. -333
Kleiner Fleisskees 82
Grosser Goldbergkees 132
Bolivia
Chacaltaya -1822
Charquini sur -1486
Zongo -523
Canada
Helm -2200
Peyto -1850
Place -1595
White 49
Chile
Echaurren Norte -570
China
Urumqihe E-Br. -706
Urumqihe S.No.1 -755
Urumqihe W-Br. -844
Ecuador
Antizana 15 Alpha -572
France
Saint Sorlin -2450
Sarennes -2820
Iceland
Breidamjok. E. B. -1330
Bruarjokull -800
Eyabakkajokull -1310
Hofsjokull E -1500
Hofsjokull N -1370
Hofsjokull SW -1500
Koeldukvislarj. n.a.
Langjokull Southern Dome -1487
Tungnaarjokull -1700
Italy
Careser -1588
Ciardoney -1060
Fontana Bianca -994
Pendente -427
Vedretta Lunga -1524
Kazakhstan
Ts. Tuyuksuyskiy 60
New Zealand
Brewster 700
Norway
Aalfotbreen -100
Austdalsbreeen -960
Austre Broeggerbreen -1120
Breidalblikkbrea -950
Engabreen 820
Graafjellsbreen -810
Graasubreen -490
Hansbreen -570
Hansebreen -510
Hardangerjoekulen 80
Hellstugubreen -840
Irenebreen -605
Kongsvegen -770
Langfjordjoekul -1920
Midre Lovenbreen -970
Nigardsbreen -40
Rundvassbreen -210
Storbreen -580
Storglombreen 120
Waldemarbreen -641
Russia
No. 125 -220
Maliy Aktru -150
Leviy Aktru -240
Garabashi n.a.
Djankuat 700
Spain
Maladeta -1516
Sweden
Marmaglaciaeren n.a.
Rabots Glaciaer n.a.
Riukojietna n.a.
Storglaciaeren -190
Switzerland
Basodino -490
Gries -1330
Silvretta 119
USA
Colombia (2057) -1830
Daniels -2130
Easton -960
Emmons n.a.
Foss -1940
Gulkana -2290
Ice Worm -2000
Lower Curtis -1510
Lynch -1980
Nisqually n.a.
Noisy Creek n.a.
North Klawatti n.a.
Rainbow -1670
Sandalee n.a.
Sholes -1860
Silver n.a.
South Cascade -1650
Wolverine -2280
Yawning -1780

wgms-team 20.12.2005