World Glacier Monitoring Service - Preliminary Glacier Mass Balance 2007-08

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Preliminary mass balance values for the observation period 2007/08 have been reported now from more than 90 glaciers worldwide. The mass balance statistics (Table 1) are calculated based on all reported values as well as on the data from the 30 reference glaciers in 9 mountain ranges (Table 2) with continuous observation series back to 1980.

The average mass balance of the glaciers with available long-term observation series around the world continues to decrease, with tentative figures indicating a further thickness reduction of 0.5 metres water equivalent (m w.e.) during the hydrological year 2007/08. The new data continues the global trend in strong ice loss over the past few decades and brings the cumulative average thickness loss of the reference glaciers since 1980 at about 12 m w.e. (see Figures 1 and 2). All so far reported mass balance values, given in Table 3, are tentative.

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Reference Glaciers with continuous long-term observation series:

Cascade Mountains - Place, South Cascade
Svalbard - Austre Broeggerbreen, Midtre Lovenbreen
Andes - Echaurren Norte
Alaska - Gulkana, Wolverine
Scandinavia - Engabreen, Alfotbreen, Nigardsbreen, Grasubreen, Storbreen, Hellstugbreen, Hardangerjoekulen, Storglaciaeren
Alps - Saint Sorlin, Sarennes, Silvretta, Gries, Sonnblickkees, Vernagtferner, Kesselwandferner, Hintereisferner, Careser
Altai - N) 125 (Bodopadniy, Maliy Aktru, Leviy Aktru
Caucusus - Djankuat
Tien Shan - Ts. Tuyuksuyskiy, Urumqihe S. No.1

Figure 1: Mean annual mass balance of reference glaciers. pdf


Figure 2: Mean cumulative mass balance of all reported glaciers (black line) and the reference glaciers (red line).pdf


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http://www.geo.unizh.ch/wgms/mbb/sum08.html