MASS BALANCE MODELLING FOR THE SARY-TOR GLACIER (THE AK-SHYIRAK MASSIF, INNER TIEN SHAN)
E.P. Rets1, D.A. Petrakov2, E.V. Belozerov1, A.M. Shpuntova2
1Water Problems Institute, RAS, Gubkina str. 3, Moscow, 119333, Russia
2Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, Moscow, 119991, Russia
Keywords: mass balance modelling, glaciers, Tien Shan, A-Melt model
Abstract
As the direct measurements for the mass balance estimation can be applied only for a limited number of glaciers, alternative methods of estimation need to be developed. One of the most promising approaches is physically-based modelling, that is now being applied globally. In this study the mass balance of the Sary-Tor valley glacier was reconstructed for the period of 2003-2016. Originally developed for the North Caucasus A-Melt model was modified to fit the conditions of continental glaciers. A block of snowpack processes was added to the model, including: head conductivity in the snowpack and in the active layer, water filtration in the snowpack and firn, congelation and regelation. The modelling results were verified using: 1) direct measurements on the ablation stakes net; 2) mass balance estimation according to geodetic method. The calibration parameters are compared to their measured values. Contrasting modeled mass-balance components for 2003-2016 and measured in 1985-1989 provided possibility to reveal climatically induced change of the Sary-Tor glacier dynamics.
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