---
OA_place: publisher
OA_type: hybrid
_id: '19878'
abstract:
- lang: eng
text: Rock debris partially covers glaciers worldwide, with varying extents and
distributions, and controls sub‐debris melt rates by modifying energy transfer
from the atmosphere to the ice. Two key physical properties controlling this energy
exchange are thermal conductivity (k) and aerodynamic roughness length (z0). Accurate
representation of these properties in energy‐balance models is critical for understanding
climate‐glacier interactions and predicting the behavior of debris‐covered glaciers.
However, k and z0 have been derived at very few sites from limited local measurements,
using different approaches, and most model applications rely on values reported
from these few sites and studies. We derive k and z0 using established and modified
approaches from data at three locations on Pirámide Glacier in the central Chilean
Andes. By comparing methods and evaluating melt simulated with an energy‐balance
model, we reveal substantial differences between approaches. These lead to discrepancies
between ice melt from energy‐balance simulations and observed data, and highlight
the impact of method choice on calculated ice melt. Optimizing k against measured
melt appears a viable approach to constrain melt simulations. Determining z0 seems
less critical, as it has a smaller impact on total melt. Profile aerodynamic method
measurements for estimating z0, despite higher costs, are independent of ice melt
calculations. The large, unexpected differences between methods indicate a substantial
knowledge gap. The fact that field‐derived k and z0 fail to work well in energy‐balance
models, suggests that model values represent bulk properties distinct from theoretical
field measurements. Addressing this gap is essential for improving glacier melt
predictions.
acknowledgement: This project received funding from the Swiss National Science Foundation
(Grant 204322, project “REsolving the thickNess Of debris on Earth's glacIers and
its Rate of change,” RENOIR). We thank Lars Groeneveld, Diego Hernández, Alonso
Mejías, Gabriela Reyes and Gabriela Tala for their support during fieldwork. Open
access funding provided by Institute of Science and Technology Austria/KEMÖ.
article_number: e2025JF008360
article_processing_charge: Yes (via OA deal)
article_type: original
author:
- first_name: Juan Vicente
full_name: Melo Velasco, Juan Vicente
id: 2611dec0-b9c6-11ed-9bea-a81c2b17a549
last_name: Melo Velasco
- first_name: Evan
full_name: Miles, Evan
last_name: Miles
- first_name: Michael
full_name: McCarthy, Michael
id: 22a2674a-61ce-11ee-94b5-d18813baf16f
last_name: McCarthy
- first_name: Thomas
full_name: Shaw, Thomas
id: 3caa3f91-1f03-11ee-96ce-e0e553054d6e
last_name: Shaw
orcid: 0000-0001-7640-6152
- first_name: Catriona Louise
full_name: Fyffe, Catriona Louise
id: 001b0422-8d15-11ed-bc51-cab6c037a228
last_name: Fyffe
- first_name: Adrià
full_name: Fontrodona-Bach, Adrià
id: f06891fd-9f42-11ee-8632-a20971c43046
last_name: Fontrodona-Bach
- first_name: Francesca
full_name: Pellicciotti, Francesca
id: b28f055a-81ea-11ed-b70c-a9fe7f7b0e70
last_name: Pellicciotti
orcid: 0000-0002-5554-8087
citation:
ama: 'Melo Velasco JV, Miles E, McCarthy M, et al. Method dependence in thermal
conductivity and aerodynamic roughness length estimates on a debris‐covered glacier.
Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface. 2025;130(6). doi:10.1029/2025jf008360'
apa: 'Melo Velasco, J. V., Miles, E., McCarthy, M., Shaw, T., Fyffe, C. L., Fontrodona-Bach,
A., & Pellicciotti, F. (2025). Method dependence in thermal conductivity and
aerodynamic roughness length estimates on a debris‐covered glacier. Journal
of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1029/2025jf008360'
chicago: 'Melo Velasco, Juan Vicente, Evan Miles, Michael McCarthy, Thomas Shaw,
Catriona Louise Fyffe, Adrià Fontrodona-Bach, and Francesca Pellicciotti. “Method
Dependence in Thermal Conductivity and Aerodynamic Roughness Length Estimates
on a Debris‐covered Glacier.” Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface.
Wiley, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1029/2025jf008360.'
ieee: 'J. V. Melo Velasco et al., “Method dependence in thermal conductivity
and aerodynamic roughness length estimates on a debris‐covered glacier,” Journal
of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, vol. 130, no. 6. Wiley, 2025.'
ista: 'Melo Velasco JV, Miles E, McCarthy M, Shaw T, Fyffe CL, Fontrodona-Bach A,
Pellicciotti F. 2025. Method dependence in thermal conductivity and aerodynamic
roughness length estimates on a debris‐covered glacier. Journal of Geophysical
Research: Earth Surface. 130(6), e2025JF008360.'
mla: 'Melo Velasco, Juan Vicente, et al. “Method Dependence in Thermal Conductivity
and Aerodynamic Roughness Length Estimates on a Debris‐covered Glacier.” Journal
of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, vol. 130, no. 6, e2025JF008360, Wiley,
2025, doi:10.1029/2025jf008360.'
short: 'J.V. Melo Velasco, E. Miles, M. McCarthy, T. Shaw, C.L. Fyffe, A. Fontrodona-Bach,
F. Pellicciotti, Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface 130 (2025).'
corr_author: '1'
date_created: 2025-06-23T13:54:01Z
date_published: 2025-06-15T00:00:00Z
date_updated: 2025-09-30T13:42:28Z
day: '15'
ddc:
- '550'
department:
- _id: FrPe
doi: 10.1029/2025jf008360
external_id:
isi:
- '001508794200001'
file:
- access_level: open_access
checksum: ca91541516c71d240321630ca42b4dc4
content_type: application/pdf
creator: dernst
date_created: 2025-06-24T06:27:34Z
date_updated: 2025-06-24T06:27:34Z
file_id: '19886'
file_name: 2025_JGREarthSurface_MeloVelasco.pdf
file_size: 3949928
relation: main_file
success: 1
file_date_updated: 2025-06-24T06:27:34Z
has_accepted_license: '1'
intvolume: ' 130'
isi: 1
issue: '6'
language:
- iso: eng
month: '06'
oa: 1
oa_version: Published Version
publication: 'Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface'
publication_identifier:
eissn:
- 2169-9011
issn:
- 2169-9003
publication_status: published
publisher: Wiley
quality_controlled: '1'
scopus_import: '1'
status: public
title: Method dependence in thermal conductivity and aerodynamic roughness length
estimates on a debris‐covered glacier
tmp:
image: /images/cc_by.png
legal_code_url: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode
name: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License (CC-BY 4.0)
short: CC BY (4.0)
type: journal_article
user_id: 317138e5-6ab7-11ef-aa6d-ffef3953e345
volume: 130
year: '2025'
...
---
OA_place: publisher
OA_type: free access
_id: '22498'
abstract:
- lang: eng
text: Climate change impacts on sediment production and transfer processes on hillslopes
and through channels are governed by possible changes in precipitation, runoff,
and air temperature. These hydrological and geomorphological impacts are difficult
to predict in temperature‐sensitive Alpine environments. In this study, we combined
a stochastic weather generator model with the most current climate change projections
to feed a hillslope‐channel sediment cascade model for a major debris‐flow system
in the Swiss Alps (the Illgraben). This allowed us to quantify climate change
impacts and their uncertainties on sediment yield and the number of debris flows
at hourly temporal resolution. We show that projected changes in precipitation
and air temperature lead to a reduction in both sediment yield (−48%) and debris‐flow
occurrence (−23%). This change is caused by a decrease in sediment supply from
hillslopes, which is driven by frost‐weathering. Additionally, we conduct model
experiments that show the sensitivity of projected changes in sediment yield and
debris‐flow hazard to basin elevation, with important implications for assessing
natural hazards and risks in mountain environments. Future changes in hydrological
and sediment fluxes are characterized by high uncertainty, mainly due to irreducible
internal climate variability. Therefore, this stochastic uncertainty needs to
be considered in climate change impact assessments for geomorphic systems.
article_number: e2020JF005739
article_processing_charge: No
article_type: original
author:
- first_name: Jacob
full_name: Hirschberg, Jacob
last_name: Hirschberg
- first_name: Simone
full_name: Fatichi, Simone
id: cf8e546b-a9b0-11f0-a43b-aa89ed1b56d6
last_name: Fatichi
- first_name: Georgina L.
full_name: Bennett, Georgina L.
last_name: Bennett
- first_name: Brian W.
full_name: McArdell, Brian W.
last_name: McArdell
- first_name: Nadav
full_name: Peleg, Nadav
last_name: Peleg
- first_name: Stuart N.
full_name: Lane, Stuart N.
last_name: Lane
- first_name: Fritz
full_name: Schlunegger, Fritz
last_name: Schlunegger
- first_name: Peter
full_name: Molnar, Peter
last_name: Molnar
citation:
ama: 'Hirschberg J, Fatichi S, Bennett GL, et al. Climate change impacts on sediment
yield and debris‐flow activity in an alpine catchment. Journal of Geophysical
Research: Earth Surface. 2021;126(1). doi:10.1029/2020jf005739'
apa: 'Hirschberg, J., Fatichi, S., Bennett, G. L., McArdell, B. W., Peleg, N., Lane,
S. N., … Molnar, P. (2021). Climate change impacts on sediment yield and debris‐flow
activity in an alpine catchment. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface.
American Geophysical Union. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020jf005739'
chicago: 'Hirschberg, Jacob, Simone Fatichi, Georgina L. Bennett, Brian W. McArdell,
Nadav Peleg, Stuart N. Lane, Fritz Schlunegger, and Peter Molnar. “Climate Change
Impacts on Sediment Yield and Debris‐flow Activity in an Alpine Catchment.” Journal
of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface. American Geophysical Union, 2021.
https://doi.org/10.1029/2020jf005739.'
ieee: 'J. Hirschberg et al., “Climate change impacts on sediment yield and
debris‐flow activity in an alpine catchment,” Journal of Geophysical Research:
Earth Surface, vol. 126, no. 1. American Geophysical Union, 2021.'
ista: 'Hirschberg J, Fatichi S, Bennett GL, McArdell BW, Peleg N, Lane SN, Schlunegger
F, Molnar P. 2021. Climate change impacts on sediment yield and debris‐flow activity
in an alpine catchment. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface. 126(1),
e2020JF005739.'
mla: 'Hirschberg, Jacob, et al. “Climate Change Impacts on Sediment Yield and Debris‐flow
Activity in an Alpine Catchment.” Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface,
vol. 126, no. 1, e2020JF005739, American Geophysical Union, 2021, doi:10.1029/2020jf005739.'
short: 'J. Hirschberg, S. Fatichi, G.L. Bennett, B.W. McArdell, N. Peleg, S.N. Lane,
F. Schlunegger, P. Molnar, Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface 126
(2021).'
das_tickbox: '1'
date_created: 2026-07-27T12:30:24Z
date_published: 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z
date_updated: 2026-08-07T09:02:32Z
day: '01'
doi: 10.1029/2020jf005739
extern: '1'
intvolume: ' 126'
issue: '1'
language:
- iso: eng
main_file_link:
- open_access: '1'
url: ' https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JF005739'
month: '01'
oa: 1
oa_version: Published Version
publication: 'Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface'
publication_identifier:
eissn:
- 2169-9011
issn:
- 2169-9003
publication_status: published
publisher: American Geophysical Union
quality_controlled: '1'
scopus_import: '1'
status: public
title: Climate change impacts on sediment yield and debris‐flow activity in an alpine
catchment
type: journal_article
user_id: ba8df636-2132-11f1-aed0-ed93e2281fdd
volume: 126
year: '2021'
...
---
_id: '12613'
abstract:
- lang: eng
text: 'We use high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) from unmanned aerial
vehicle (UAV) surveys to document the evolution of four ice cliffs on the debris-covered
tongue of Lirung Glacier, Nepal, over one ablation season. Observations show that
out of four cliffs, three different patterns of evolution emerge: (i) reclining
cliffs that flatten during the ablation season; (ii) stable cliffs that maintain
a self-similar geometry; and (iii) growing cliffs, expanding laterally. We use
the insights from this unique data set to develop a 3-D model of cliff backwasting
and evolution that is validated against observations and an independent data set
of volume losses. The model includes ablation at the cliff surface driven by energy
exchange with the atmosphere, reburial of cliff cells by surrounding debris, and
the effect of adjacent ponds. The cliff geometry is updated monthly to account
for the modifications induced by each of those processes. Model results indicate
that a major factor affecting the survival of steep cliffs is the coupling with
ponded water at its base, which prevents progressive flattening and possible disappearance
of a cliff. The radial growth observed at one cliff is explained by higher receipts
of longwave and shortwave radiation, calculated taking into account atmospheric
fluxes, shading, and the emission of longwave radiation from debris surfaces.
The model is a clear step forward compared to existing static approaches that
calculate atmospheric melt over an invariant cliff geometry and can be used for
long-term simulations of cliff evolution and to test existing hypotheses about
cliffs'' survival.'
article_processing_charge: No
article_type: original
author:
- first_name: Pascal
full_name: Buri, Pascal
last_name: Buri
- first_name: Evan S.
full_name: Miles, Evan S.
last_name: Miles
- first_name: Jakob F.
full_name: Steiner, Jakob F.
last_name: Steiner
- first_name: Walter W.
full_name: Immerzeel, Walter W.
last_name: Immerzeel
- first_name: Patrick
full_name: Wagnon, Patrick
last_name: Wagnon
- first_name: Francesca
full_name: Pellicciotti, Francesca
id: b28f055a-81ea-11ed-b70c-a9fe7f7b0e70
last_name: Pellicciotti
citation:
ama: 'Buri P, Miles ES, Steiner JF, Immerzeel WW, Wagnon P, Pellicciotti F. A physically
based 3‐D model of ice cliff evolution over debris‐covered glaciers. Journal
of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface. 2016;121(12):2471-2493. doi:10.1002/2016jf004039'
apa: 'Buri, P., Miles, E. S., Steiner, J. F., Immerzeel, W. W., Wagnon, P., &
Pellicciotti, F. (2016). A physically based 3‐D model of ice cliff evolution over
debris‐covered glaciers. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface.
American Geophysical Union. https://doi.org/10.1002/2016jf004039'
chicago: 'Buri, Pascal, Evan S. Miles, Jakob F. Steiner, Walter W. Immerzeel, Patrick
Wagnon, and Francesca Pellicciotti. “A Physically Based 3‐D Model of Ice Cliff
Evolution over Debris‐covered Glaciers.” Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth
Surface. American Geophysical Union, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1002/2016jf004039.'
ieee: 'P. Buri, E. S. Miles, J. F. Steiner, W. W. Immerzeel, P. Wagnon, and F. Pellicciotti,
“A physically based 3‐D model of ice cliff evolution over debris‐covered glaciers,”
Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, vol. 121, no. 12. American
Geophysical Union, pp. 2471–2493, 2016.'
ista: 'Buri P, Miles ES, Steiner JF, Immerzeel WW, Wagnon P, Pellicciotti F. 2016.
A physically based 3‐D model of ice cliff evolution over debris‐covered glaciers.
Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface. 121(12), 2471–2493.'
mla: 'Buri, Pascal, et al. “A Physically Based 3‐D Model of Ice Cliff Evolution
over Debris‐covered Glaciers.” Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface,
vol. 121, no. 12, American Geophysical Union, 2016, pp. 2471–93, doi:10.1002/2016jf004039.'
short: 'P. Buri, E.S. Miles, J.F. Steiner, W.W. Immerzeel, P. Wagnon, F. Pellicciotti,
Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface 121 (2016) 2471–2493.'
date_created: 2023-02-20T08:14:28Z
date_published: 2016-11-22T00:00:00Z
date_updated: 2023-02-24T11:34:54Z
day: '22'
doi: 10.1002/2016jf004039
extern: '1'
intvolume: ' 121'
issue: '12'
keyword:
- Earth-Surface Processes
- Geophysics
language:
- iso: eng
main_file_link:
- open_access: '1'
url: https://doi.org/10.1002/2016JF004039
month: '11'
oa: 1
oa_version: Published Version
page: 2471-2493
publication: 'Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface'
publication_identifier:
eissn:
- 2169-9011
issn:
- 2169-9003
publication_status: published
publisher: American Geophysical Union
quality_controlled: '1'
scopus_import: '1'
status: public
title: A physically based 3‐D model of ice cliff evolution over debris‐covered glaciers
type: journal_article
user_id: 2DF688A6-F248-11E8-B48F-1D18A9856A87
volume: 121
year: '2016'
...
---
OA_type: closed access
_id: '22509'
abstract:
- lang: eng
text: Hydrologic and geomorphic responses of watersheds to changes in climate are
difficult to assess due to projection uncertainties and nonlinearity of the processes
that are involved. Yet such assessments are increasingly needed and call for mechanistic
approaches within a probabilistic framework. This study employs an integrated
hydrology‐geomorphology model, the Triangulated Irregular Network‐based Real‐time
Integrated Basin Simulator (tRIBS)‐Erosion, to analyze runoff and erosion sensitivity
of seven semiarid headwater basins to projected climate conditions. The Advanced
Weather Generator is used to produce two climate ensembles representative of the
historic and future climate conditions for the Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed
located in the southwest U.S. The former ensemble incorporates the stochastic
variability of the observed climate, while the latter includes the stochastic
variability and the uncertainty of multimodel climate change projections. The
ensembles are used as forcing for tRIBS‐Erosion that simulates runoff and sediment
basin responses leading to probabilistic inferences of future changes. The results
show that annual precipitation for the area is generally expected to decrease
in the future, with lower hourly intensities and similar daily rates. The smaller
hourly rainfall generally results in lower mean annual runoff. However, a non‐negligible
probability of runoff increase in the future is identified, resulting from stochastic
combinations of years with low and high runoff. On average, the magnitudes of
mean and extreme events of sediment yield are expected to decrease with a very
high probability. Importantly, the projected variability of annual sediment transport
for the future conditions is comparable to that for the historic conditions, despite
the fact that the former account for a much wider range of possible climate “alternatives.”
This result demonstrates that the historic natural climate variability of sediment
yield is already so high, that it is comparable to the variability for a projected
and highly uncertain future. Additionally, changes in the scaling relationship
between specific sediment yield/runoff and drainage basin area are detected.
article_processing_charge: No
article_type: original
author:
- first_name: A.
full_name: Francipane, A.
last_name: Francipane
- first_name: Simone
full_name: Fatichi, Simone
id: cf8e546b-a9b0-11f0-a43b-aa89ed1b56d6
last_name: Fatichi
- first_name: V. Y.
full_name: Ivanov, V. Y.
last_name: Ivanov
- first_name: L. V.
full_name: Noto, L. V.
last_name: Noto
citation:
ama: 'Francipane A, Fatichi S, Ivanov VY, Noto LV. Stochastic assessment of climate
impacts on hydrology and geomorphology of semiarid headwater basins using a physically
based model. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface. 2015;120(3):507-533.
doi:10.1002/2014jf003232'
apa: 'Francipane, A., Fatichi, S., Ivanov, V. Y., & Noto, L. V. (2015). Stochastic
assessment of climate impacts on hydrology and geomorphology of semiarid headwater
basins using a physically based model. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth
Surface. American Geophysical Union. https://doi.org/10.1002/2014jf003232'
chicago: 'Francipane, A., Simone Fatichi, V. Y. Ivanov, and L. V. Noto. “Stochastic
Assessment of Climate Impacts on Hydrology and Geomorphology of Semiarid Headwater
Basins Using a Physically Based Model.” Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth
Surface. American Geophysical Union, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1002/2014jf003232.'
ieee: 'A. Francipane, S. Fatichi, V. Y. Ivanov, and L. V. Noto, “Stochastic assessment
of climate impacts on hydrology and geomorphology of semiarid headwater basins
using a physically based model,” Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface,
vol. 120, no. 3. American Geophysical Union, pp. 507–533, 2015.'
ista: 'Francipane A, Fatichi S, Ivanov VY, Noto LV. 2015. Stochastic assessment
of climate impacts on hydrology and geomorphology of semiarid headwater basins
using a physically based model. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface.
120(3), 507–533.'
mla: 'Francipane, A., et al. “Stochastic Assessment of Climate Impacts on Hydrology
and Geomorphology of Semiarid Headwater Basins Using a Physically Based Model.”
Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, vol. 120, no. 3, American
Geophysical Union, 2015, pp. 507–33, doi:10.1002/2014jf003232.'
short: 'A. Francipane, S. Fatichi, V.Y. Ivanov, L.V. Noto, Journal of Geophysical
Research: Earth Surface 120 (2015) 507–533.'
das_tickbox: '1'
date_created: 2026-07-27T12:30:24Z
date_published: 2015-03-01T00:00:00Z
date_updated: 2026-08-03T14:15:02Z
day: '01'
doi: 10.1002/2014jf003232
extern: '1'
intvolume: ' 120'
issue: '3'
language:
- iso: eng
month: '03'
oa_version: None
page: 507-533
publication: 'Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface'
publication_identifier:
eissn:
- 2169-9011
issn:
- 2169-9003
publication_status: published
publisher: American Geophysical Union
quality_controlled: '1'
scopus_import: '1'
status: public
title: Stochastic assessment of climate impacts on hydrology and geomorphology of
semiarid headwater basins using a physically based model
type: journal_article
user_id: 2DF688A6-F248-11E8-B48F-1D18A9856A87
volume: 120
year: '2015'
...