Surface melting of snow-firn-ice structures and estimation of extended transient energy and mass balances using a liquid solid phase-change model

Abstract

Parameterized energy and mass balance models are often applied to estimate energy fluxes at the surface that are available for melting and sublimation of snow and ice surfaces. In this study we evaluate the suitability of quantifying transient energy and mass fluxes on frozen surface using the finite volume method in comparison with the traditional glaciological energy balance approach. To assess the model application, we apply the methods to two datasets: a glacier in the semiarid Andes, and an Antarctic ice shelf, estimating the effect of time varying surface irradiation, wind velocity, air temperature and humidity on the history of temperature, liquid water and heat fluxes during 30 months. Results of energy and mass balances are validated with previously published results of global balances and meteorological datasets.