Observed and modelled ice temperature and velocity along the main flowline of East Rongbuk Glacier, Qomolangma (Mount Everest), Himalaya

نویسندگان

  • Tong ZHANG
  • Cunde XIAO
  • William COLGAN
  • Xiang QIN
  • Wentao DU
  • Weijun SUN
  • Yushuo LIU
  • Minghu DING
چکیده

Knowledge of present-day ice temperature and velocity is important in order to determine how fast a glacier will respond to present and future climate change. We apply a two-dimensional higher-order thermomechanical flowband model to simulate present-day ice temperature and velocity along the main flowline of East Rongbuk Glacier, Qomolangma (Mount Everest), Himalaya. We use recent (2005–11) observational data to validate the numerical model. Modelled and observed ice surface velocities exhibit good agreement. Modelled ice temperatures agree well with observed values in two shallow boreholes that are 18m deep. The model suggests that the ablation zone of East Rongbuk Glacier, km4 to km10 from the glacier head, is underlain by temperate ice.

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تاریخ انتشار 2013