Ice ablation and meteorological conditions on the debris-covered area of Baltoro glacier, Karakoram, Pakistan

AbstractDuring the recent Italian expedition 'K2 2004 – 50 years later' (June–July 2004) on Baltoro glacier, Karakoram, Pakistan, glaciological field experiments were carried out on the debris-covered area of this high-elevation glacier. The aim was to investigate the ice ablation and its relations with debris thermal properties and meteorological conditions. Ablation measurements along the glacier up to about 5000 m and within a dedicated test field were combined with meteorological data from two automatic weather stations located at Urdukas (4022 ma.s.l.) and at K2 Base Camp (5033 m a.s.l.). In addition, temperature measurements of the debris cover at different depth levels along the glacier allowed the calculation of debris surface temperature and of the debris thermal resistance (R). Using the air temperature, the local mean lapse rate (0.0075˚C m−1) and the measured ablation, the degree-day factors (K) at different locations on the glacier were calculated. The ice ablation rates were related to debris thickness and elevation. They are typically on the order of 4 cm d−1 during the observation period. However, it was found that the surface topography (slope, aspect) has an influence on the total ablation similar to that of the debris thickness. Thermal resistance of the debris cover and its distribution over the glacier were estimated. Finally, a best-guess estimate of the total meltwater production was calculated from available climate data

An ablation model for debris-covered ice: the case study of Venerocolo Glacier (Italian Alps)

We developed a simple model to estimate ice ablation under a debris cover. The ablation process is modelled using energy and mass conservation equations for debris and ice and heat conduction, driven by input of either i) debris surface temperature or ii) radiation fluxes, and solved through a finite difference scheme computing the conductive heat flux within the supra-glacial debris layer. For model calibration, input and validation, we used approximately bi-weekly surveys of ice ablation rate, debris cover temperature, air temperature and solar incoming and upwelling radiation during for Summer 2007. We calibrated the model for debris thermal conductivity using a subset of ablation data and then we validated it using another subset. Comparisons between calculated and measured values showed a good agreement (RMSE = 0.04 m w.e., r = 0.79), thus suggesting a good performance of the model in predicting ice ablation. Thermal conductivity was found to be the most critical parameter in the proposed model, and it was estimated by debris temperature and thickness, with value changing along the investigated ablation season. The proposed model may be used to quantify buried ice ablation given a reasonable assessment of thermal conductivity

Spatial distribution of debris thickness and melting from remote-sensing and meteorological data, at debris-covered Baltoro glacier, Karakoram, Pakistan

AbstractA distributed surface energy-balance study was performed to determine sub-debris ablation across a large part of Baltoro glacier, a wide debris-covered glacier in the Karakoram range, Pakistan. The study area is ~124km2. The study aimed primarily at analyzing the influence of debris thickness on the melt distribution. The spatial distribution of the physical and thermal characteristics of the debris was calculated from remote-sensing (ASTER image) and field data. Meteorological data from an automatic weather station at Urdukas (4022ma.s.l.), located adjacent to Baltoro glacier on a lateral moraine, were used to calculate the spatial distribution of energy available for melting during the period 1–15 July 2004. The model performance was evaluated by comparisons with field measurements for the same period. The model is reliable in predicting ablation over wide debris-covered areas. It underestimates melt rates over highly crevassed areas and water ponds with a high variability of the debris thickness distribution in the vicinity, and over areas with very low debris thickness (<0.03 m). We also examined the spatial distribution of the energy-balance components (global radiation and surface temperature) over the study area. The results allow us to quantify, for the study period, a meltwater production of 0.058 km3

Hinarche 2008: una spedizione scientifica su un ghiacciaio remoto

Hinarche 2008: a scientific expedition on a far glacier In summer 2008 an Italian Scientific expedition performed a detailed glaciological survey of the Hinarche Glacier, Karakoram, Pakistan. The goal of the expedition was the characterization of the features of one of the main glacier of the Bagrot Valley. Glacier melting water represents one of the main resources of Pakistan Northern Area communities. The melting water flowing in the steep irrigation channels is the driving element supporting local economies, mainly based on agriculture and farming. Evaluating the availability of water resource is one of the difficult tasks covered by glaciology. In the Bagrot valley a team of researchers performed a dense campaign of glaciological measurements to identify the main morphological aspects of the Hinarche Glacier. The study requested the use in field of geodetic GPS receivers. Furthermore, the field activity trained local researchers which will give continuity to these monitorino campaigns, who in turn will update data sets from these areas which form part of the WGMS (World Glacier Monitoring Service) database

REDUCING ADMINISTRATIVE BURDENS AND INCREASING LEGAL CERTAINTY AND TRANSPARENCY OF BUSINESS - DIRECTIVE 2012/17/EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL OF 13 JUNE 2012 AMENDING COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 89/666/EEC AND DIRECTIVES 2005/56/EC AND 2009/101/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL AS REGARDS THE INTERCONNECTION OF CENTRAL, COMMERCIAL AND COMPANIES REGISTERS

The Directive 2012/17/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2012, modifies three important company law directives, and is introducing also a new business registers interconnection system (BRIS). As article 2 from the consolidated version of the Treaty on European Union provides1 the Union has set itself as an objective, promotion of economic progress through an area without internal frontiers but we must observe that such an approach needs permanent cross-border access to specific legal regulations and formalities applicable to the performed operations in each Member State. This article aims to point the steps to be made to achieve the goal of the Directive 2012/17/EU underlining the measures to be taken in each Member State in the process of implementing it

QUESTIONNAIRE ON FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING STYLES FOR BUSINESS AND ENGINEERING STUDENTS

Our current approach offers an opportunity to analyse the trends in a wide range of educational topics, policies and best practice over the past decade and to assess the challenges lying ahead. We hope that this body of data and information will serve as a valuable source for decision makers in various education areas. Reviewing and reforming educational strategies need to be performed so as to ensure access to high quality instruction and training for all citizens, thus facilitating long-term socio-economic growth and stability. This study analyses the main young adult English learning styles & strategies used in acquiring and improving the communicative competence in English for effectively meeting the demands of the future career. The labour market nowadays is characterized by rapid changes in technology, spectacular developments, higher standards and unprecedented mobility and comfort. All these have essentially changed the way we live and communicate, generating the need for lifelong learning, not only for jobs, but also for active and creative adaptation to the rhythm of common daily life. Foreign language(s) communication competences, as well as computer skills, are indispensable for meeting the current employment standards

Analysis of glacial meltwater in Bagrot Valley, Karakoram, based on short term ablation and debris cover observations on Hinarche Glacier

People in the Karakoram use discharge from glaciers during summer for irrigation and other purposes. While the glacial meltwater supply during hot and dry periods will vary as a result of climate change, Karakoram glaciers so far have not shown a consistent reaction to climatic change, although climate scenarios indicate severe future impacts in the high-elevation regions of the Himalaya and Karakoram. Field measurements on Hinarche Glacier in Bagrot Valley are combined with remote sensing information and climate observations to investigate the meltwater production of the glacier and estimate the meltwater discharge in the valley.Special emphasis was placed on ice melt beneath supraglacial debris, which is the common process on the glacier tongues in the region. The calculated annual meltwater production of about 135 million m3 for Hinarche Glacier shows the order of magnitude for glacier runoff in such environments. Glacial meltwater production is about 300 million m3 per year for the entire valley under balanced conditions. This analysis serves as a basis for further investigations concerning temporal meltwater variability and potential water usage by the local population

Meteorology and surface energy fluxes in the 2005-2007 ablation seasons at the Miage debris-covered glacier, Mont Blanc Massif, Italian Alps

During the 2005–2007 June–September ablation seasons, meteorological conditions were recorded on the lower and upper parts of the debris‐covered ablation zone of Miage Glacier, Italy. In 2005, debris temperature and subdebris ice melt were also monitored at 25 points with debris thickness of 0.04–0.55 m, spread over 5 km2 of the glacier. The radiative fluxes were directly measured, and near‐closure of the surface energy balance is achieved, providing support for the bulk aerodynamic calculation of the turbulent fluxes. Surface‐layer meteorology and energy fluxes are dominated by the pattern of incoming solar radiation which heats the debris, driving strong convection. Mean measured subdebris ice melt rates are 6–33 mm d−1, and mean debris thermal conductivity is 0.96 W m−1 K−1, displaying a weak positive relationship with debris thickness. Mean seasonal values of the net shortwave, net longwave, and debris heat fluxes show little variation between years, despite contrasting meteorological conditions, while the turbulent latent (evaporative) heat flux was more than twice as large in the wet summer of 2007 compared with 2005. The increase in energy output from the debris surface in response to increasing surface temperature means that subdebris ice melt rates are fairly insensitive to atmospheric temperature variations in contrast to debris‐free glaciers. Improved knowledge of spatial patterns of debris thickness distribution and 2 m air temperature, and the controls on evaporation of rainwater from the surface, are needed for distributed physically based melt modeling of debris‐covered glaciers