Modelling snowline migration and runoff response for Place Glacier basin.
Published: 2004
Language: eng
Number of pages: 107
Description: A spatially distributed glacier surface melt model is applied to the analysis of snowline migration and discharge patterns for Place Glacier basin during 2002 ablation season. The model is initialized with a snowpack estimated from winter mass balance measurements and driven by meteorological data recorded at the base camp station. Spatially variable parameters are derived from satellite images and the digital elevation model. The hourly discharge from the two basin reservoirs, fast and slow, is calculated using an energy balance approach, where radiative and turbulent energy fluxes are considered.The snowline migration patterns display a qualitative agreement with the snow extent derived from satellite images. The discharge patterns follow those observed at the Place Creek. The main factors responsible for the discrepancies are the snowpack initialization, meltwater storage and, as sensitivity analyses indicate, the turbulent transfer coefficient and fresh snow albedo.
Notes: Adviser:  D. Scott Munro.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Toronto, 2004.

Electronic version licensed for access by U. of T. users.

Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 42-06, page: 2016.

MICR copy on microfiche (2 microfiches).