Stream hydrology controls on ice cliff evolution and survival on debris-covered glaciers
Abstract Ice cliffs are melt hot spots that contribute disproportionately to melt on debris-covered glaciers. In this study, we investigate the impact of supraglacial stream hydrology on ice cliffs using in situ and remote sensing observations, streamflow measurements, and a conceptual geomorphic model of ice cliff backwasting applied to ice cliffs on Kennicott Glacier, Alaska. We found that 33 % of ice cliffs (accounting for 69 % of the ice cliff area) are actively influenced by streams, while half are nearer than 10 m from the nearest stream. Supraglacial streams contribute to ice cliff formation and maintenance by horizontal meandering, vertical incision, and debris transport. These processes produce an undercut lip at the ice cliff base and transport clasts up to tens of centimeters in diameter, preventing reburial of ice cliffs by debris. Stream meander morphology reminiscent of sedimentary river channel meanders and oxbow lakes produces sinuous and crescent ice cliff shapes. Stream avulsions result in rapid ice cliff collapse and local channel abandonment. Ice cliffs abandoned by streams are observed to be reburied by supraglacial debris, indicating a strong role played by streams in ice cliff persistence. We also report on a localized surge-like event at the glacier's western margin which drove the formation of ice cliffs from crevassing; these cliffs occur in sets with parallel linear morphologies contrasting with the crescent planform shape of stream-driven cliffs. The development of landscape evolution models may assist in quantifying the total net effect of these processes on steady-state ice cliff coverage and mass balance, contextualizing them with other drivers including supraglacial ponds, differential melt, ice dynamics, and collapse of englacial voids.
- Location
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Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
- Extent
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Online-Ressource
- Language
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Englisch
- Bibliographic citation
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Stream hydrology controls on ice cliff evolution and survival on debris-covered glaciers ; volume:12 ; number:3 ; year:2024 ; pages:727-745 ; extent:19
Earth surface dynamics ; 12, Heft 3 (2024), 727-745 (gesamt 19)
- Creator
- DOI
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10.5194/esurf-12-727-2024
- URN
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urn:nbn:de:101:1-2405160427081.581086553261
- Rights
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Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
- Last update
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14.08.2025, 10:53 AM CEST
Data provider
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek. If you have any questions about the object, please contact the data provider.
Associated
- Petersen, Eric
- Hock, Regine
- Loso, Michael G.
Other Objects (12)
Stream hydrology controls on ice cliff generation, evolution, and survival on debris-covered glaciers
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Reduced melt on debris-covered glaciers: investigations from Changri Nup Glacier, Nepal
Estimating the avalanche contribution to the mass balance of debris covered glaciers
Southwest-facing slopes control the formation of debris-covered glaciers in the Bhutan Himalaya
A comparison of glacier melt on debris-covered glaciers in the northern and southern Caucasus
Seasonal to decadal dynamics of supraglacial lakes on debris-covered glaciers in the Khumbu Region, Nepal
Seasonal to decadal dynamics of supraglacial lakes on debris-covered glaciers in the Khumbu region, Nepal
Surface composition of debris-covered glaciers across the Himalaya using spectral unmixing and multi-sensor imagery
Thinning and surface mass balance patterns of two neighboring debris-covered glaciers in southeastern Tibetan Plateau
Stream hydrology controls on ice cliff generation, evolution, and survival on debris-covered glaciers
Modeling debris-covered glaciers: response to steady debris deposition
Review article: The hydrology of debris-covered glaciers – state of the science and future research directions
Brief communication: Thinning of debris-covered and debris-free glaciers in a warming climate
Reduced melt on debris-covered glaciers: investigations from Changri Nup Glacier, Nepal
Estimating the avalanche contribution to the mass balance of debris covered glaciers
Southwest-facing slopes control the formation of debris-covered glaciers in the Bhutan Himalaya
A comparison of glacier melt on debris-covered glaciers in the northern and southern Caucasus
Seasonal to decadal dynamics of supraglacial lakes on debris-covered glaciers in the Khumbu Region, Nepal
Seasonal to decadal dynamics of supraglacial lakes on debris-covered glaciers in the Khumbu region, Nepal
Surface composition of debris-covered glaciers across the Himalaya using spectral unmixing and multi-sensor imagery
Thinning and surface mass balance patterns of two neighboring debris-covered glaciers in southeastern Tibetan Plateau
Stream hydrology controls on ice cliff generation, evolution, and survival on debris-covered glaciers
Modeling debris-covered glaciers: response to steady debris deposition
Review article: The hydrology of debris-covered glaciers – state of the science and future research directions
Brief communication: Thinning of debris-covered and debris-free glaciers in a warming climate
Reduced melt on debris-covered glaciers: investigations from Changri Nup Glacier, Nepal
Estimating the avalanche contribution to the mass balance of debris covered glaciers
Southwest-facing slopes control the formation of debris-covered glaciers in the Bhutan Himalaya
A comparison of glacier melt on debris-covered glaciers in the northern and southern Caucasus
Seasonal to decadal dynamics of supraglacial lakes on debris-covered glaciers in the Khumbu Region, Nepal
Seasonal to decadal dynamics of supraglacial lakes on debris-covered glaciers in the Khumbu region, Nepal
Surface composition of debris-covered glaciers across the Himalaya using spectral unmixing and multi-sensor imagery