GLIMS Glacier Classification Manual V
GLIMS Regional Center ‘Antarctic Peninsula’Illustrated GLIMS Glacier Classification ManualGlacier Classification Guidance for the GLIMS Glacier InventoryFrank Rau*, Fabian Mauz*, Steffen Vogt*, Siri Jodha Singh Khalsa & Bruce Raup * Institut für Physische Geographie, Freiburg (Germany)National Snow and Ice Data Center, Boulder, CO (USA) (Version 1.0)2005-02-101
GLIMS Regional Center “Antarctic Peninsula”RAU, MAUZ, VOGT, KHALSA & RAUPIndex1Overview of glacier classification systems and instructions to homogenize glacier datacompilation for GLIMS Glacier Inventory. 31.1Introduction. 31.2The World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS) glacier classification system. 31.3The GLIMS (Global Land Ice Measurements from Space) glacier classification system . 421.3.1Morphological glacier parameters of GLIMS41.3.2Glacier classification classes proposed for GLIMS4GLIMS Glacier Classification Manual . 62.1Primary classification. 62.2Form . 122.3Frontal Characteristic . 172.4Longitudinal characteristics . 242.5Major source of nourishment. 282.6Tongue activity . 292.7Moraine code 1 (in contact with present day glacier). 302.8Moraine code 2 (moraines farther downstream) . 322.9Debris coverage of tongue . 342.10 Figure References . 363Acknowledgements . 364Bibliography and recommended literature . 362
GLIMS Regional Center “Antarctic Peninsula”RAU, MAUZ, VOGT, KHALSA & RAUP1Overview of glacier classification systems and instructions tohomogenize glacier data compilation for GLIMS Glacier Inventory1.1IntroductionThe detailed classification of a glacier is an important task during a GLIMS analysis session. To describetheir morphological shape, a common terminology was established in order to evaluate different glacialtypes and features. Because of the enormous variety of glaciers around the world, it is often not easy toassign these glaciated forms one unambiguous expression.The overall aim of each classification is to give an impression about the inner dynamics, the present stateof development, and the surrounding climatic conditions of the glacier. Depending on the purpose of theobserver, different kinds of methods were developed for classifying glaciers. Most common are variousmorphological and thermal classifications.This document provides an overview on the World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS) glacierclassification scheme (chapter 1.2 )and proposes an expanded classification system to be used within theGLIMS research initiative (chapter 1.3). Furthermore, the illustrated GLIMS Glacier Classification Manual(chapter 2) provides practical guidance for the analysts in order to achieve an overall consistent andhomogenous morphological classification of worldwide glaciers.1.2The World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS) glacier classification systemIn 1970 the UNESCO first introduced, as a contribution to the International Hydrological Decade, aclassification scheme for perennial snow and ice masses. The aim was to provide a useful database ofglacial observations in a standardised, digital form. The system was designed to characterise themorphology of glaciers rapidly and precisely. The major advantage of this system was that it allowed theassignment of not only one characteristic, but several to the glacier. A series of six key parameters whichdescribes various glacial characteristics, facilitates the subsequent compilation. By applying a matrix-typeclassification based on specific glaciological characteristics, this provides a defined number of values foreach parameter. This system offers a multitude of possibilities for description of individual glaciers (Table1). It has been adopted by the World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS; http://www.geo.unizh.ch/wgms/)in a revised form, and has proven its general applicability to over 67,000 glaciers worldwide, of which mostare terrestrial. Along with further relevant glacier data, the information is compiled in the World GlacierInventory (WGI) which is located at the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC; http://nsidc.org).Table 1: Parameters used to characterize the morphological shape of glaciers in the WGMS glacierclassification system.2Digit 1PrimaryclassificationUncertain ormiscellaneousContinental icesheetIce-fieldHangingIce capCompoundbasinSimple basinExpanded3LobedCascading4Outlet glacierCirqueCalvingIce-fall5Valley glacierNicheCoalescing, noncontributingInterrupted6Mountain glacier Crater7Ice apron8Glacieret andsnowfieldIce shelf9Rock glacierRemnant01Digit 2FormDigit 3FrontalcharacteristicUncertain orNormal ormiscellaneousmiscellaneousCompound basins PiedmontDigit 4LongitudinalprofileUncertain ormiscellaneousEven, regularDigit 5Major source ofnourishmentUnknownDigit 6Activity oftongueUncertainDigit 7Moraine code 1Digit 8Moraine code 2No morainesNo morainesSnow / DriftsnowAvalanchesMarked retreatTerminalmorainesLateral and/ormedial morainePush moraineTerminalmorainesLateral and/ormedial morainePush moraineCombination of1 and 2Marked advance Combination of1 and 3Possible surgeCombination of2 and 3Known surgeCombination of1,2 and 3OscillatingDebris,uncertain ifmorainicMoraines, typeuncertain or notlistedCombination of1 and 2Combination of1 and 3Combination of2 and 3Combination of1,2 and 3Debris,uncertain ifmorainicMoraines, typeuncertain or notlistedSuper-imposediceSlight retreatStationarySlight advanceGroup3
GLIMS Regional Center “Antarctic Peninsula”RAU, MAUZ, VOGT, KHALSA & RAUP1.3The GLIMS (Global Land Ice Measurements from Space) glacier classificationsystemWith the development of new methods over the last three decades, particularly in the field of remotesensing technologies using data from satellites, the capabilities of observing glaciers in detail has greatlyimproved. These new techniques now give the opportunity to observe glaciers in even the most remoteregions, and to collect data from vast ice covered areas in a short time with little or no logistical effort.The creation of a worldwide glacier inventory by means of satellite imagery is the major aim of the GLIMSprogram. This will be done primarily by the use of data from the ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne ThermalEmission and Reflection Radiometer) instrument aboard the EOS Terra spacecraft. The spatial resolutionof 15 meters gives excellent impression for optical analysis.To realise the creation of the GLIMS glacier database, a network of Regional Centres (RC) wasintroduced, each working on a specific ice-covered area of the world. These RCs collect glacial data whichwill fill the new GLIMS glacier database. Due to the fact that there already exists a World Glacier Inventory(WGI), evaluated in many regions but still incomplete, there is great interest to adopt to this existingscheme so that data can be incorporated and transferred from and to the new GLIMS database. Thisforces the GLIMS database design to be flexible in order to compile as much data as possible ornecessary. The expansion of the availability of glacier data from all regions of the world will make futureinvestigation in glacial and climatic changes more easy and more precise. Furthermore, a major differencebetween GLIMS and the inventory of WGMS is the addition of GIS-like structures, where vector and rasterdatasets play a key role in the visualisation and analysis of glacial parameters and data storage.1.3.1 Morphological glacier parameters of GLIMSIn taking the experience on glacier classification of WGMS one step further GLIMS is trying to improve thesystem and clarify especially instructions for data compilation. In general, there are many similaritiesbetween GLIMS and WGMS databases due to the adoption of WGMS description and coding used byGLIMS. Especially in the way the morphological features of a glacier is described and coded. The actualGLIMS database design (July 2003) comprises the following glacier morphology parameter classes to beused for characterisation of the morphology of glaciers (Table 2). They are displayed in the tableGLACIER DYNAMIC in the GLIMS database.Table 2: Current and proposed GLIMS glacier morphology parameter classes.Database parametersPrimary classificationFormFrontal characteristicsLongitudinal characteristicsDominant mass sourceTongue activityMoraine code 1Moraine code 2Debris coverage of tongue1.3.2Number of valid values(GLIMS, July 2003)Number of valid values(suggestions from RC 18,May 2004)10106649-11101364910105Glacier classification classes proposed for GLIMSIn alpine regions the WGMS glacial morphology description has proven practical for many years. Howeverthe vast variety of possibilities which occur worldwide, can sometimes be problematic. Initial observationsat the RC “Antarctic Peninsula” would suggest that, despite the effectiveness of the WGMS classificationscheme, further detail is necessary to accurately describe particular glacial features especially in polarregions. This has become evident in local case studies on the Antarctic Peninsula, and by looking at theGreenland Glacier Inventory published by WEIDICK et al. (1992), where changes in the compilation ofglacier morphology have been made. Hereby, the preliminary results indicated that the enormous number4
GLIMS Regional Center “Antarctic Peninsula”RAU, MAUZ, VOGT, KHALSA & RAUPof glaciers and the multiplicity of types and sizes could not be sufficiently represented using the currentWGMS / GLIMS classification system. This has led the Regional Center “Antarctic Peninsula” to realisethe necessity for system modification in some cases in order to guarantee accurate classifications (Table2). Hereby, the integrity of the glacial classification depends mainly on two points: Accurate and specific class definitions to ensure the clarity for all users A variety of suitable classes that enable the description of glacier morphology in all regions ofthe world with the utmost of accuracyBased on the current WGMS scheme, the GLIMS Regional Center “Antarctic Peninsula” proposes thefollowing classification scheme (Table 3).Table 3: Proposed parameters to characterize the morphological shape of glaciers in the expandedGLIMS glacier classification system.Digit 1Digit 2PrimaryFormclassificationDigit 3Digit 4FrontalLongitudinalcharacteristic profile2Uncertain ormiscellaneousContinental icesheetIce - fieldNormal orUncertain ormiscellaneous miscellaneousPiedmontEven, regular Snow / DriftsnowExpandedHangingAvalanche30Ice capUncertain ormiscellaneousCompoundbasinsCompoundbasinSimple basinLobedCascading4Outlet glacierCirqueCalvingIce-fall5Valley Crater8MountainGlacierGlacieret andsnowfieldIce shelfGroup9Rock glacierRemnant10Ice stream17111213141516Digit 5Majorsource ofnourishmentUnknownDigit 6Activityof tongueDigit 7Morainecode 1Digit 8Morainecode 2UncertainNo morainesNo morainesMarked retreat TerminalmorainesSlight retreatLateral and/ormedial moraineSuperimposed StationaryPush moraineiceSlight advance Combination of1 and 2MarkedCombination ofadvance1 and 3Possible surge Combination of2 and 3Known surge Combinationof1, 2 and 3OscillatingDebris,uncertain ifmorainicMoraines, typeuncertain ornot listedIce apronTerminalmorainesLateral and/ormedial morainePush moraineDigit 9Debriscoverageof tongueUncertainDebris freePartly debriscoveredMostly debriscoveredCombination of Completely1 and 2debris coveredCombination of1 and 3Combination of2 and 3Combinationof1, 2 and 3Debris,uncertain ifmorainicMoraines, typeuncertain ornot listedCalving &PiedmontCalving &ExpandedCalving &LobedIce (contributing)The expanded class definitions were achieved by improving the existing WGMS class definitions in a waysuitable for many cases. To narrow the margin of error in choosing a specific value for classification, keywords, from a so-called “Check-List”, have been developed to assist in glacial parameter identification.The proposed “Check-List” will improve the accuracy of classification by means of greater detail in classdefinition. In addition to greater definition detail, ASTER images, and Photos have been added to the“Glacier Classification Manual” whenever possible.The further addition of specific class definitions will not only assist in the accurate classification of theAntarctic Peninsula and other polar regions, but will be useful in all regions world wide. All proposed newclassifications occurring in the “GLIMS Glacier Classification Manual” are represented by a double digit IDcode, starting with 10. By this the WGMS classes can be maintained and keep their full information as theywere compiled by now.5
Regional Center 18 “Antarctic Peninsula”RAU, MAUZ, VOGT, KHALSA & RAUP2GLIMS Glacier Classification Manual2.1Primary classificationThe 10 categories of the parameter group “Primary classification” attempt to classify glaciers into morphologically distinct units, which facilitate an identification ofalmost every type of glacier in the world. Combining these primary classification values with those of other parameter groups it becomes possible to typify alsocommonly known glacier types which seem to be “primary types” as like cirque glaciers, tidewater glaciers or hanging glaciers.NameGLIMS glacierDefinition WGMSparameter identificationchecklist for remotesensing observationsUncertain orAny type not listed below Any type not listedmiscellaneousbelowCommentsContinental ice sheet Ice-field Satellite Image / Photo / GraphicsGLIMS(numbers in () refer to figure references in 2.10; if present: Primary Codeclassification - Form - Frontal Characteristics - Longitudinal Profile- Major source of nourishment)0Unconstrained bytopographyContinental sizeDerive theirmorphological shapefrom ice flowproperties, internaldynamics, andbedrock conditionsInundates areas ofcontinental size May incorporate individualice domes1Approximatelyhorizontal, ice coveredareaIce covering does notoverwhelmsurroundingtopographyOccur intopographicaldepressions orplateausNo dome like shape(in contrast to Ice cap)Ice masses of sheet orblanket type of a thicknessnot sufficient to obscure thesub-surface topography In some cases no need toclassify in "Frontalcharacteristic" (the frontalcharacteristic is described bythe outreaching glaciers).Might also be used toclassify low lying areas wherethe ice divides and flowdirections are not clearlydetectable ("transectionalglaciers")2 6Fig. 1 – Ice field (1)Fig. 2 – Ice field (1)
Regional Center 18 “Antarctic Peninsula”RAU, MAUZ, VOGT, KHALSA & RAUP Smaller than50.000km2 (approx.220 x 220 km)Excluded classificationcombinations:- Niche- Apron- Hanging- Cascading- Ice fall- InterruptedFig. 3 – Ice field – Uncertainor miscellaneous – Uncertainor miscellaneous – Even,regular– Snow (5)Fig. 4 – Ice field –compound basins–Confluent – Even, regular–Snow (5)Fig. 5 – Ice field (1)Fig. 6 – Ice field (2)7
Regional Center 18 “Antarctic Peninsula”RAU, MAUZ, VOGT, KHALSA & RAUPIce cap Dome shaped ice mass withDome shaped iceradial flowmassApproximately radialice flowUpstanding ice massover bedrockNot to be interpretedas“mountain ice cap” 3May incorporate Ice domesLongitudinal profile is inalmost all cases“even/regular” ( 1)Excluded classificationcombinations:- not classifiable in "Form"at all- Therefore it is set ” 0”- Hanging- InterruptedFig. 7 – Ice cap (1)Fig. 8 – Ice cap – Uncertainor miscellaneous – Lobed –Even, regular – Snow (5)Outlet glacier Flows down from anice sheet, ice field orice cap beyond itsmarginsNo clearly definedcatchment areaUsually follows localtopographicdepressionsDrains an ice sheet, ice field or ice cap, usually of valleyglacier form; the catchmentarea may not be clearlydelineated4The source ice sheet, icefield or ice cap has thefunction of a "parent icemass" in GLIMSExcluded classificationcombinations:- Cirque- Niche- Crater- Apron- GroupFig. 9 – Outlet glacier –Compound basin – Calvingand expanded – Cascading– Snow (5)Fig. 10 – Outlet glacier (4)8
Regional Center 18 “Antarctic Peninsula”RAU, MAUZ, VOGT, KHALSA & RAUPValley glacier Accumulation area is Flows down a valley; thecatchment area is wellclearly defined anddefinedlimited by thetopographyIce free slopesnormally overlookglacier surfaceFollows a preexisting valley5Excluded classificationcombinations:- Cirque- Niche- Apron- GroupFig. 11 – Valley glacier –Comp. basin – Normal –Cascading – Snow (5)Fig. 12 – Valley glacier (1)Mountainglacier Glaciers adhering tomountain sides, andfitting in no otherprimary classificationpatternE.g. Cirque-, Niche-,Crater- Glaciers aswell as Groups,Aprons and hangingglaciers and glaciatedflanksCirque, niche or crater type, hanging glacier; includes iceapron and groups of smallunits (WGMS 1970)6Must be distinguished fromvalley glaciers where novalley has yet developed(often difficult to estimatefrom above groundAny shape; sometimessimilar to a valley glacier, butExcluded classificationmuch smaller; frequentlycombinations:located in cirque or niche.- Compound basins(WGMS 1977)Fig. 13 – Mountain glacier– Single basin – Calving –Cascading – Snow (5)Cirque, niche or crater type,hanging glacier; includes iceapron and groups of smallunits (WGMS 1998)Fig. 14 – Mountain glacier(1)9
Regional Center 18 “Antarctic Peninsula”RAU, MAUZ, VOGT, KHALSA & RAUPGlacieret andsnowfield Ice shelf Small ice masses of Hard to detect by remoteindefinite shape in hollows,sensing analysis, due to sizeriver beds and on protectedand short term changes in theslopes, which has developedappearancefrom snow drifting,avalanching and/orExcluded classificationespecially heavycombinations:accumulation in certain- Compound basinsyears; usually no marked- Compound basinflow pattern is visible, existfor at least two consecutive- Piedmontyears- Expanded- LobedFloating ice masses Floating ice sheet of Generic development of anIce shelf starts with theAttached to the coast considerable thicknessattached to a coastconfluence of several floatingSeaward extensionnourished by glacier(s);glaciers. Therefore thisof terrestrial glacierssnow accumulation on itsclassification combinationbeyond the groundingsurface or bottom freezingshould first be taken intolineaccount, before classifying anNourished by snowice mass as Ice Shelf.accumulation andbottom freezing inExcluded classificationaddition to influx ofcombinations:glacier ice- Is not classifiable inThe floating part is"Form"not effected by theLongitudinal profile isdynamics of thealways even/regularnourishing glac
1 Overview of glacier classification systems and instructions to homogenize glacier data compilation for GLIMS Glacier Inventory 1.1 Introduction The detailed classification of a glacier is an important task during a GLIMS analysis session. To describe
The Malaspina Glacier in Alaska is a classic example of this kind of glacier. A cirque glacier is a small valley glacier that is confined to the high basin (cirque) at the upper end of a mountain valley. A snowfield is a perennial mass of ice and snow too small to move like a glacier. A visitor to Glacier National Park can see many cirque glaciers
Before 1750, Mendenhall Glacier was an advancing glacier; that is, more snow nourished the glacier than melted. At that time, it was two and one-half miles down the valley from its present position. Slightly warmer temperatures increased the rate of melt and the glacier began to recede. Today, the Mendenhall Glacier is continuing to recede slowly.
Grinnell Glacier is located within Glacier National Park in the state of Montana (Figure 1). It is a notable glacier that was named after a famous conservationist named George Bird Grinnell .The glacier has undergone heavy monitoring due to its significant retreating snowpack
AN OVERVIEW OF GLACIERS, GLACIER RETREAT, AND SUBSEQUENT IMPACTS IN THE NEPAL, INDIA AND CHINA. 2. India: Glaciers, glacier retreat and its impacts on Fresh Water Regime 29 Introduction 29 Physical and climatological characteristics 30 WWF. WWF. glacier retreat AN OVERVIEW OF GLACIERS, GLACIER RETREAT, China. NEPALINDIA. NEPAL.
Glacier Mass Balance The purpose of this exercise is to illustrate features about glaciers mass balance and changes in glacier geometry. The glacier of interest here is South Cascade Glacier located on the crest of the North Cascade Range of Washington. It takes about 2.5 - 3 hours to drive to the nearest trailhead from Seattle.
PARK GLACIER NATIONAL PARK Essex Wibaux Broadus Culbertson St. Regis West Glacier West Yellowstone East Glacier Park Malta Cut Bank Libby Hardin Shelby Dillon Glasgow . National Park and Glacier National Park both offer bus tours (nps.gov/yell and nps.gov/glac), and Glacier shuttles visitors through the park (nps.gov/glac/
OF THE GOING-TO-THE-SUN ROAD, GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, USA Blase A. Reardon* USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, West Glacier, MT Chris Lundy2 Glacier National Park, West Glacier, MT ABSTRACT: The annual spring opening of the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park presents a unique avalanche forecasting challenge.
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