Cryosphere components in GTOS

networks

Wilfried HaeberliGeography Department

University of Zurich

Global Terrestrial Observing System GTOScryosphere networks

sea ice (GOOS)

GTN-G: glaciers

GTN-P: permafrost

! GTN-S: snow

! GTN-IS: continental ice sheets

Global Terrestrial Observing System GTOScryosphere networks

sea ice (GOOS)

GTN-G: glaciers

GTN-P: permafrost

! GTN-S: snow

! GTN-IS: continental ice sheets

flow velocity 13 km/y

flow velocity 7 km/y

Jakobshavn Isbrae

Ice shelves

• Canadian• Antarctica

1906 Ice Shelf Extent 1906 Ice Shelf Extent (~10,000 km(~10,000 km22))

Eureka

Copland

Ice shelves

• Canadian• Antarctica

1906 Ice Shelf Extent 1906 Ice Shelf Extent (~10,000 km(~10,000 km22))

2008 Ice Shelf Extent 2008 Ice Shelf Extent (~1000 km(~1000 km22))

Eureka

Copland

Global Terrestrial Observing System GTOScryosphere networks

sea ice (GOOS)

GTN-G: glaciers

GTN-P: permafrost

! GTN-S: snow

! GTN-IS: continental ice sheets

Global Glacier Changes: facts and figures

Project management & editing:Michael Zemp, Jaap van Woerden

Scientific authors:Michael Zemp, Isabelle Roer, Andreas Kääb,Martin Hoelzle, Frank Paul, Wilfried Haeberli

Design, layout, maps & graphics:Diana Rizzolio

monitoring principle:

integration of

in-situ measurements, remote sensing and numerical modelling

time

base inventory

repeat inventory

repeat inventory

fluct

uatio

ns o

f gl

acie

rs

mass balance length change

area/volume/thickness change

spaceglacier inventories

mass balance length change

area/volume/thickness change

UNEP press release 16.03.2008:

• new record loss: - 1.4 m w.e.

• average loss rate 1980-1999doubled since 2000

• previous record (1998) exceededin 2003, 2004, 2006

• only 1 positive balance (Echaurren)

WGMS 2008

Zemp et al. (2007)

Recession of Morteratsch Glacier, Switzerland, between 1985 and 2007.Source: J. Alean, SwissEduc (www.swisseduc.ch) / Glaciers online (www.glaciers-online.net).

2007

1985

Glacier length changes

DEM-differencing: SRTM - DTM 25

GlobGlacier

European Space Agency (ESA)GLIMS

Global Land Ice

Measurement from Space

Baffin Island

Paul

glacier inventories/satellite observations

Glacier distribution around the world

Zemp et al. (2007), based on Dyurgerov and Meier (2005)

Noetzli 2008

Ellesmere Island, Canadian Arctic

UN Organisations

annual report swiss offer gtn-g general assembly nc

Launch of GTN-G website

New GTN-G meta-data browser

Data layers:

length change mass balance volume change special events glacier maps

WGI

GLIMS

glacier photograph collection

Interactive map interface showing FoG (brown dots), WGI (blue dots) and GLIMS (pink polygons) data

General cryosphere:• Establishment of GTN-S (snow) and GTN-IS (continental ice sheets) has high

priority• how about ice shelves (sea ice/GTNG/GTN-IS) and outlet glaciers (GTN-

G/GTN-IS)?

GTN-G:Future strategy/Recommendations

• GTN-G operates with a well established, tiered/integrative monitoring strategy, which should continue and may serve as a model

for other GTNs;• Quality ranking should be introduced with respect to in-situ measurements

(especially glacier mass balance)• GTN-G representatives are involved in IPCC work and should formally be

consulted in the review process for future assessment reports

Questions/guidance/feedbacks from the GTOS SC• GTOS SC to agree with organisational structure and lead responsibility of

GTN-G as developed by the partner institutions (WGMS, NSIDC, GLIMS) and IACS/IUGG/ICSU• GTOS SC to transfer the overall responsibility for GTN-G to GTN-G Steering

CommitteeProposed actions to be endorsed by GTOS SC

• Agreements on institutional responsibilities and lead structure of IACS