Glacier Mass Balance

Abstract

Annual mass balance is recognized as the most sensitive climate variable observed on alpine glaciers. This has led the WGMS to establish both a long term data archive, but also protocol for mass balance observations and reporting. NCGCP has measured annual mass balance for the last 31 years on North Cascades glaciers. The glaciers have all lost significant mass with a mean annual balance of −0.51 ma−1. This is a cumulative loss of −15.5 m, equivalent to 17 m of glacier thickness, which is 20–30 % of the entire volume of the glaciers.