 EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes
and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and
archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


 Mass Balance

   October 14, 2020

    Mass balance

   Photographer:  Andrea Rapposelli
   Summary Authors:  Andrea Rapposelli

   Essential for a  glacier to survive is its  mass balance - the
   difference between  accumulation and ablation ( melting or
   sublimation). Climate change can cause large variations in temperature
   ranges, both in their averages and in snowfall precipitation as well as
   changes in the mass balance. A glacier with a negative balance is not
   in equilibrium and will tend to retreat. A glacier with a positive
   balance is also in a state of imbalance but will advance to restore it.
   The retreat of the glacier manifests itself in the loss of its lower
   region which because it’s at a lower altitude is normally warmer than
   the higher  zones. Glacier melting reduces overall ablation, thus
   increasing mass balance and potentially restoring equilibrium. If the
   mass balance of a significant part of the  glacier accumulation zone
   is negative, it's out of balance with the climate and will tend to melt
   if a colder climate and/or an increase in solid precipitation does not
   occur. The photograph above of the Montabel glacier was taken near the
   town of Breuil-Cervinia. The central rocky tip was covered by snow a
   few decades ago. Photo taken July 22, 2020.

   Photo Details: Camera PENTAX K-5; telephoto lens 18-55 mm at 55mm;
   Software Adobe Photoshop CC 2015 (Windows); Exposure Time 0.010s
   (1/100); Aperture ƒ/9.0; ISO equivalent 400; Focal Length (35mm) 82.
     * Breuil-Cervinia, Italy Coordinates:  45.934444, 7.631111

Related EPODs

    Mass Balance  Archive - Longest Day  Ice Out on Sebago Lake
   in 2020  Archive - Breidamerkurjökull Ice Cap  Death Valley’s
   Zabriskie Point  Dust and Isla de La Palma, Canary Islands

Climatology Links

     *  Aerosols: Tiny Particles, Big Impact
     *  JetStream - An Online School for Weather
     *  Climate History
     *  National Centers for Environmental Information
     *  Global Climate Animations
     *  NOAA Climate Analysis Branch
     *  Vital Climate Graphics

-
   Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the  Universities
   Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu
 
