冰川物质平衡线的估算方法

doi:10.7522/j.issn.1000-0240.2013.0041

摘要/Abstract

摘要：

冰川物质平衡线高度(ELA)与气候变化, 特别是与气温和降水的变化关系密切, 是重建古气候和反映冰川积累和消融变化的重要代用指标.直接观测方法可以获得较为精准的ELA, 但不能大范围展开.因此, ELA的间接估算方法, 如赫斯法(Hess)、积累区面积比率法(AAR)、面积–高程平衡率法(AABR)、末端至冰斗后壁比率法(THAR)、终碛到最高峰高差比率法(TSAM)、侧碛最大高度法(MELM)、冰斗底部高程法(CF)、冰川作用阈值法(GT)等, 得到了广泛的发展与应用.然而, 由于受到雪崩或风吹雪补给、表碛覆盖、冰川类型和形态等因素的影响, 单一使用某种方法易受到算法本身的限制, 误差较大, 需综合考虑各种算法的适用性和选取参数的差异, 以提高计算的精度, 同时也要考虑到后期构造抬升等的影响.

关键词: 冰川, 物质平衡, ELA, 估算方法

Abstract:

There is a very close connection between the equilibrium line altitude (ELA) and the local climate, particularly solid precipitation and air temperatures. Fluctuations in the ELA therefore provide a pronounced indicator of glacier response to climate change, and help to reconstruct the former climates and to predicate the future glacier behavior. For the glaciers at present, direct observation of glacier mass balance over several years is an ideal method to obtain accurate ELA. However, for a greater range, other estimating methods have to employed, e.g., accumulation area ratio (AAR), area altitude balance ratio (AABR), toe-to-headwall altitude ratio (THAR), terminal to summit altitude method (TSAM), maximum elevation of lateral moraines (MELM), cirque-floor altitudes (CF) and glaciation threshold (GT). Due to the combined influence of avalanches and snow drift, debris cover and topographic effects (glacier morphologies and styles), the ELAs of a glacier estimated with various methods may have discrepancies of several hundred meters. It is necessary to employ multiple methods, together with an appraisal of their reliability. Furthermore, the tectonic uplift should be considered as well.

Key words: glacier, mass balance, equilibrium line altitude, estimating method

中图分类号:

P343.6

崔航, 王杰. 冰川物质平衡线的估算方法[J]. 冰川冻土, 2013, 35(2): 345-354.

CUI Hang, WANG Jie. The Methods for Estimating the Equilibrium Line Altitudes of a Glacier[J]. JOURNAL OF GLACIOLOGY AND GEOCRYOLOGY, 2013, 35(2): 345-354.

参考文献

[1] Xie Zichu, Liu Chaohai. Introduction of Glaciology [M]. Shanghai: Shanghai Popular Science Press, 2010: 116-124.

[2] Ju Yuanjiang, Liu Gengnian, Zhang Xiaoyong, et al. High mountain glaciers’ ELA₀ and climate [J]. Progress in Geography, 2004, 23(3): 43-49. [鞠远江, 刘耕年, 张晓咏, 等. 山地冰川物质平衡线与气候[J]. 地理科学进展, 2004, 23(3): 43-49.]

[3] Paterson W S B. The Physics of Glaciers[M]. 3rd Edition. Oxford, UK: Pergarnon Press, 1994:8-25.

[4] Cui Zhijiu. A primary study of the modern glacier of Gongga Mountain [J]. Acta Geographica Sinica, 1958, 24(3): 318–342. [崔之久. 贡嘎山现代冰川的初步观察[J]. 地理学报, 1958,24(3): 318-342.]

[5] Shi Yafeng, Huang Maohuan, Ren Binghui. An Introduction to the Glaciers in China[M]. Beijing: Science Press, 1988.

[6] Li Jijun, Zheng Benxing, Yang Xijin, et al. Glaciers of Xizang (Tibet)[M]. Beijing: Science Press, 1986.

[7] Huang Maohuan. The snowline/the Equilibrium line[J]. Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology, 1992, 14(3): 285-286. [黄茂桓. 雪线、平衡线[J]. 冰川冻土, 1992, 14(3): 285-286.]

[8] Wang Ninglian. Grey relational analysis of the leading climatic factor influencing the changes of the equilibrium line[J]. Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology, 1995,17(1): 8-15. [王宁练. 冰川平衡线变化的主导气候因子灰色关联分析[J]. 冰川冻土, 1995, 17(1): 8-15.]

[9] Xie Zichu, Ding Liangfu, Liu Chaohai, et al. Mass balance at the steady state equilibrium line altitude and its application[J].Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology,1996, 18(1):1-9. [谢自楚,丁良福,刘潮海,等. 冰川零平衡线处的物质平衡及其应用[J]. 冰川冻土, 1996, 18(1):1-9.]

[10] Benn D I, Lehmkuhl F. Mass balance and equilibrium-line altitudes of glaciers in high-mountain environments[J]. Quaternary International, 2000, 65-66: 15-29.

[11] Shi Yafeng, Zheng Benxing, Li Shijie. Last glaciation and maximum glaciation in the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) Plateau: A controversy to M. Kuhle's ice sheet hypothesis [J]. Chinese Geographical Science, 1992, 2(4): 293-311.

[12] Ohmura A, Kasser P, Funk M. Climate at the equilibrium line of glaciers [J]. Journal of Glaciology, 1992, 38: 397-411.

[13] Kuhn M. On the computation of heat transfer coefficients from energy-balance gradients on a glacier[J]. Journal of Glaciology, 1979, 22(87): 263-272.

[14] Ambach W. Climatic shift of the equilibrium line: Kuhn's concept applied to the Greenland ice cap[J]. Annals of Glaciology,1985, 6: 76-78.

[15] Hebenstreit R. Present and former equilibrium line altitudes in the Taiwanese high mountain range[J]. Quaternary International, 2006,147(1): 70-75.

[16] Wang Guoya, Shen Yongping. The effect of change in glacierized area on the calculation of mass balance in the Glacier No. 1 at the headwaters of Vrümqi River[J]. Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology, 2011,33(1): 1-7. [王国亚, 沈永平. 天山乌鲁木齐河源1号冰川面积变化对物质平衡计算的影响[J]. 冰川冻土, 2011, 33(1): 1-7.]

[17] Zhang Guofei, Li Zhongqin, Wang Wenbin, et al. Change processes and characteristics of mass balance of the Ürümqi Glacier No. 1 at the headwaters of theürümqi River, Tianshan Mountains, during 1959-2009[J]. Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology, 2012, 34(6): 1301-1309. [张国飞, 李忠勤, 王文彬, 等. 天山乌鲁木齐河源1号冰川1959-2009年物质平衡变化过程及特征研究[J]. 冰川冻土, 2012, 34(6): 1301-1309.]

[18] Wang Sheng, Pu Jianchen, Wang Ninglian. Study of mass balance and sensibility to climate change of Qiyi Glacier in Qilian Mountains[J]. Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology, 2011, 33(6): 1214-1221. [王盛, 蒲健辰, 王宁练. 祁连山七一冰川物质平衡及其对气候变化的敏感性研究[J]. 冰川冻土, 2011, 33(6): 1214-1221.]

[19] Gao Xin, Zhang Shiqiang, Ye Baisheng, et al. Glacier runoff change in the upper stream of Yarkant River and its impact on river runoff during 1961-2006[J]. Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology, 2010, 32(3): 445-453. [高鑫, 张世强, 叶柏生, 等. 1961-2006年叶尔羌河上游流域冰川融水变化及其对径流的影响[J]. 冰川冻土, 2010, 32(3): 445-453.]

[20] Xu Mingxing, Yan Ming, Kang Jiancheng, et al. Comparative studies of the glacier mass-balance and their climatic implications in Svalbard, Scandinavia and southern Norway[J]. Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology, 2010, 32(4): 641-649. [徐明星, 闫明, 康建成, 等. 北极Svalbard、斯堪的纳维亚与挪威南部冰川物质平衡对比及其气候意义[J]. 冰川冻土, 2010,32(4): 641-649.]

[21] Pu Jianchen, Yao Tandong, Yang Meixue, et al. Rapid decrease of mass balance observed in the Xiao (Lesser) Dongkemadi Glacier, in the central Tibetan Plateau[J]. Hydrological Processes, 2008, 22(16): 2953-2958.

[22] Liu Shiyin, Liu Chaohai, Xie Zichu, et al. Field Observations in Glaciological Research[M]. Beijing: Science Press, 2012: 46-48.

[23] Meier M F. Proposed definitions for glacier mass budget terms[J]. Journal of Glaciology, 1962, 4(33): 252-263.

[24] Meier M F, Post A S. Recent variations in mass net budgets of glaciers in western North America[C]//Variations of the Regime of Existing Glaciers, Symposium of Obergurgl 1962. International Association of Hydrological Sciences Publication, 1962,58: 63-77.

[25] Porter S T. Equilibrium line altitude of late Quaternary glaciers in the Southern Alps, New Zealand [J]. Quaternary Research, 1975, 5: 27-47.

[26] Kaser G, Osmaston H. Tropical Glaciers[M]. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2002: 149-192.

[27] Wang Ninglian, Pu Jianchen, Liu Shiyin, et al. Study on AAR of valley glaciers in the steady state[J]. Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology,1997,19(2): 167-172. [王宁练, 蒲健辰, 刘时银, 等. 山谷冰川稳定态时积累区面积比率研究[J]. 冰川冻土, 1997, 19(2): 167-172.]

[28] Nesje A. Topographical effects on equilibrium-line altitude on glaciers [J]. GeoJoural, 1992, 27(4): 383-391.

[29] Gross G, Kerschner H, Patzelt G. Metodische Untersuchungenüber die Schneegrenze in alpinen Gletschergebieten[J]. Zeitschrift für Gletscherkunde und Glazialgeologie, 1977, 12: 223-251. (in German)

[30] Aoki T. Evaluation of the accumulation area ratio (AAR) method based on mass balance data for modern glaciers[J]. Geographical Review of Japan, 1999, 72:763-772.

[31] Kern Z, Laszlo P. Size specific steady-state accumulation-area ratio: an improvement for equilibrium-line estimation of small palaeoglaciers[J]. Quaternary Science Reviews, 2010, 29: 2781-2787.

[32] Porter S C. Snowline depression in the tropics during the Last Glaciation [J]. Quaternary Science Reviews, 2001,20: 1067-1091.

[33] Benn D I, Gemmell A M D. Calculating equilibrium-line altitudes of former glaciers by the balance ratio method: a new computer spreadsheet [J/OL]. Glacial Geology and Geomorphology, 1997.

[34] Furbish D J, Andrews J T. The use of hypsometry to indicate long-term stability and respond of valley glaciers to changes in mass transfer [J]. Journal of Glaciology, 1984,30:199-211.

[35] Rea B R. Defining modern day Area-Altitude Balance Ratios (AABRs) and their use in glacier-climate reconstructions[J]. Quaternary Science Research, 2009, 28: 237-248.

[36] Osmaston H. Estimates of glacier equilibrium line altitudes by the Area Altitude, the Area Altitude Balance Ratio and the Area Altitude Balance Index methods and their validation[J]. Quaternary International, 2005, 138-139: 22-31.

[37] Torsnes I, Rye N, Nesje A. Modern and Little Ice Age equilibrium-line altitudes on outlet valley glaciers from Jostedalsbreen, western Norway: an evaluation of different approaches to their calculation[J]. Arctic and Alpine Research, 1993,25(2): 106-116.

[38] Manley G. The late-glacial climate of north-west England[J]. Geological Journal, 1961, 2(2): 188-215.

[39] Zhang Wei, Yan Ling, Cui Zhijiu, et al. Present and late Pleistocene equilibrium line altitudes in Changbai Shan, Northeast China[J]. Quaternary Sciences, 2008, 28(4): 739-745. [张威, 闫玲, 崔之久, 等. 长白山现代理论雪线和古雪线高度[J]. 第四纪研究, 2008, 28(4): 739-745.]

[40] Meierding T C. Late Pleistocene glacial equilibrium-line in the Colorado Front Range: A comparison of methods[J]. Quaternary Research, 1982, 18(3):289-310.

[41] Murray D R, Locke W W III. Dynamics of the late Pleistocene Big Timber glacier, Crazy Mountains, Montana, U.S.A.[J]. Journal of Glaciology, 1989, 35(120):183-190.

[42] Osmaston, H A. The Past and Present Climate and Vegetation of Ruwenzori and Its Neighborhood. Oxford, UK: University of Oxford, 1965.

[43] Osmaston H A. Models for the estimation of firnlines of present and Pleistocene glaciers//Processes in Physical and Human Geography: Bristol Essays. London: Heinemann Educational, 1975: 218-245.

[44] Porter S C, Pierce K L, Hamilton T D. Late Wisconsin mountain glaciation in the western United States//Late-Quaternary Environments of the United States: The Late Pleistocene. Minneapolis, Minnesota: University of Minnesota Press, 1983:71-111.

[45] Clark D H, Clark M M, Gillespie A R. Debris-covered glaciers in the Sierra Nevada, California, and their implications for snowline reconstructions[J]. Quaternary Research, 1994,41: 139-153.

[46] Pewe T L, Reger R D. Modern and Wisconsinan snow lines in Alaska//Proceedings of the 24th International Geologic Congress, Section 12, Montreal, Canada, 1972:187-197.

[47] Ramge J M, Smith J A , Rodbell D T. Comparing reconstructed Pleistocene equilibrium-line altitudes in the tropical Andes of central Peru[J]. Journal of Quaternary Science, 2005,20:777-788.

[48] Louis H. Schneegrenze und Schneegrenzbestimmung//Meynen E. Geographisches Taschenbuch 1954/1955. Wiesbaden, Germany: Franz Steiner Verlag, 1955: 414-418. (in German)

[49] Lehmkuhl F. Quaternary glaciations in central and western Mongolia[J]. Quaternary Proceedings, 1998, 6: 153-167.

[50] Hfer von Heimhalt H. Gletscher-und Eiszeitstudien[C]//Sitzungsberichte der Akademie der Wissenschaften in Wien, Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Klasse, Abteilung I, Biologie, Mineralogie, Erdkunde 79, 1879: 331-367. (in German)

[51] Lichtenecker N. Die gegenwaK rtige und die eiszeitliche Schneegrenze in den Ostalpen[C]//Goktzinger G. Vethandlungen der III Internationalen Quartar-Conferenz, Vienna, September 1936. Vienna, Austria: INQUA, 1938: 141-147. (in German)

[52] Andrews J T. Glacial Systems: An Approach to Glaciers and Their Environments[M]. North Scituate, Massachusetts: Duxbury Press, 1975.

[53] Visser P C. Glaziologie[M]//Wissenschaftliche ergebnisse der Niederla Kndischen Expeditionen in den Karakorum und die angrenzenden gebiete in den jahren 1922, 1925 1929/30 und 1935. Leiden, Netherlands: E J Brill, 1938: 1-227. (in German)

[54] Benn D I, Owen L A, Osmaston H A. Reconstruction of equilibrium-line altitudes for tropical and sub-tropical glaciers[J]. Quaternary International, 2005, 8: 138 139.

[55] Hamann C, Embleton C. Morphometrische Analyse der Kare in den Salzburger Zentralalpen[J]. Salzburger Geographische Arbeiten, 1988, 17: 57-74.

[56] Robinson G, Peterson J A, Anderson P M. Trend surface analysis of Corrie altitudes in Scotland[J]. Scottish Geographical Magazine, 1971, 87(2): 142-146.

[57] Benn D I, Evans D J A. Glaciers and Glaciation[M]. 2nd Edition. London: Hodder Education, 2010: 22-56.

[58] Porter S C. Glaciation limit in New Zealand's Southern Alps[J]. Arctic and Alpine Research, 1975, 7(1): 33-37.

[59] Broecker W S. Mountain glaciers: recorders of atmospheric water vapor content?[J]. Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 1997, 11: 589 597.

[60] Porter S C. Pleistocene snowlines and glaciation of the Hawaiian Islands[J]. Quaternary International, 2005, 138: 118-128.

[61] Osmaston H. Should Quaternary sea-level changes be used to correct glacier ELAs, vegetation belt altitudes and sea level temperatures for inferring climate changes?[J]. Quaternary Research, 2006, 65(2): 244-251.

[62] Xu Xiangke, Wang Liqiang, Yang Jianqiang. Last Glacial Maximum climate inferences from integrated reconstruction of glacier equilibrium-line altitude for the head of the Vrümqi River, Tianshan Mountains [J]. Quaternary International, 2010,218: 3-12.