Open AccessFirn temperature and meltwater refreezing in the lower accumulation area of the Greenland ice sheet, Pâkitsoq, West Greenland
Author(s) -
Roger J. Braithwaite
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
rapport
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2597-2944
pISSN - 0418-6559
DOI - 10.34194/rapggu.v159.8218
Subject(s) - firn , meltwater , greenland ice sheet , ice sheet , geology , future sea level , snow , accumulation zone , climatology , physical geography , ice stream , geomorphology , sea ice , cryosphere , geography
Firn temperatures and meltwater refreezing are studied in the lower accumulation area of the Greenland ice sheet as part of an international project on sea level changes. In the study area, 1440–1620 m a.s.l., meltwater penetrates several metres into the firn and refreezes, warming the firn by 5–7°C compared with annual air temperatures. This firn warming is closely related to surface melt which can be estimated by several methods. A relatively high degree-day factor is needed to account for the melt rates found.