Irvine-Fynn, TDL, Porter, PR, Rowan, AV et al. (6 more authors) (2017) Supraglacial Ponds Regulate Runoff From Himalayan Debris‐Covered Glaciers. Geophysical Research Letters, 44 (23). pp. 11894-11904. ISSN 0094-8276
Abstract
Meltwater and runoff from glaciers in High Mountain Asia is a vital freshwater resource for one‐fifth of the Earth's population. Between 13% and 36% of the region's glacierized areas exhibit surface debris cover and associated supraglacial ponds whose hydrological buffering roles remain unconstrained. We present a high‐resolution meltwater hydrograph from the extensively debris‐covered Khumbu Glacier, Nepal, spanning a 7 month period in 2014. Supraglacial ponds and accompanying debris cover modulate proglacial discharge by acting as transient and evolving reservoirs. Diurnally, the supraglacial pond system may store >23% of observed mean daily discharge, with mean recession constants ranging from 31 to 108 h. Given projections of increased debris cover and supraglacial pond extent across High Mountain Asia, we conclude that runoff regimes may become progressively buffered by the presence of supraglacial reservoirs. Incorporation of these processes is critical to improve predictions of the region's freshwater resource availability and cascading environmental effects downstream.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2017 American Geophysical Union. Reproduced in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy |
Keywords: | Himalaya; supraglacial ponds; runoff; recession; debris-covered glacier |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > School of Geography (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 06 Dec 2017 15:04 |
Last Modified: | 29 May 2018 00:38 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | American Geophysical Union |
Identification Number: | 10.1002/2017GL075398 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:124878 |