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