Analysis of the surface energy balance of Hintereisferer based on observations and modelling

Abstract ID: 3.12090
|Review Result Accepted as Poster
|Abstract not registered Abstract not registered
| TBA
|Presentation Location TBA
Nicholson, L. (1)
Tudes, P. (1,2); Richter, N. (1); and Prinz, R. (1)
(1) University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52, Innsbruck, Austria 6020
(2) University Grenoble Alpes, CS 40700 38058 Grenoble CEDEX 9
How to cite: Nicholson, L.; Tudes, P.; Richter, N.; and Prinz, R.: Analysis of the surface energy balance of Hintereisferer based on observations and modelling, International Mountain Conference 2025, Innsbruck, Sep 14 - 18 2025, #IMC25-3.12090, 2025.
Categories: Cryo- & Hydrosphere
Keywords: glacier, Hinterereisferner, surface energy balance, melt drivers
Categories: Cryo- & Hydrosphere
Keywords: glacier, Hinterereisferner, surface energy balance, melt drivers
Abstract

Hintereisferner is one of the World Glacier Monitoring Service benchmark glaciers, with annual mass balance data available since 1952. Despite its significance as one of the best monitored glaciers in the world, analyses of the glacier surface energy balance (SEB) are limited. To address this, we leverage data from on-glacier stations installed in the upper and lower glacier during 2003/4 and 2023/24 and use the open source COSIPY model to quantify the characteristic flux partitioning from measured and modelled data. We set the SEB findings in the context of published surface energy balance studies from other glaciers and discuss the atmospheric controls on the SEB, the contrasts in SEB conditions between the upper and lower glacier sites and changes between the two time periods observed. The observed and simulated SEB conditions enable an analysis of the dominant drivers of glacier melt at Hintereisferner.