---
_id: '12626'
abstract:
- lang: eng
  text: Ice cliffs have been identified as a reason for higher ablation rates on debris-covered
    glaciers than are implied by the insulation effects of the debris. This study
    aims to improve our understanding of cliff backwasting, and the role of radiative
    fluxes in particular. An energy-balance model is forced with new data gathered
    in May and October 2013 on Lirung Glacier, Nepalese Himalaya. Observations show
    substantial variability in melt between cliffs, between locations on any cliff
    and between seasons. Using a high-resolution digital elevation model we calculate
    longwave fluxes incident to the cliff from surrounding terrain and include the
    effect of local shading on shortwave radiation. This is an advance over previous
    studies, that made simplified assumptions on cliff geometry and radiative fluxes.
    Measured melt rates varied between 3.25 and 8.6 cm d−1 in May and 0.18 and 1.34
    cm d−1 in October. Model results reproduce the strong variability in space and
    time, suggesting considerable differences in radiative fluxes over one cliff.
    In October the model fails to reproduce stake readings, probably due to the lack
    of a refreezing component. Disregarding local topography can lead to overestimation
    of melt at the point scale by up to ∼9%.
article_processing_charge: No
article_type: original
author:
- first_name: Jakob F.
  full_name: Steiner, Jakob F.
  last_name: Steiner
- first_name: Francesca
  full_name: Pellicciotti, Francesca
  id: b28f055a-81ea-11ed-b70c-a9fe7f7b0e70
  last_name: Pellicciotti
- first_name: Pascal
  full_name: Buri, Pascal
  last_name: Buri
- first_name: Evan S.
  full_name: Miles, Evan S.
  last_name: Miles
- first_name: Walter W.
  full_name: Immerzeel, Walter W.
  last_name: Immerzeel
- first_name: Tim D.
  full_name: Reid, Tim D.
  last_name: Reid
citation:
  ama: Steiner JF, Pellicciotti F, Buri P, Miles ES, Immerzeel WW, Reid TD. Modelling
    ice-cliff backwasting on a debris-covered glacier in the Nepalese Himalaya. <i>Journal
    of Glaciology</i>. 2015;61(229):889-907. doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.3189/2015jog14j194">10.3189/2015jog14j194</a>
  apa: Steiner, J. F., Pellicciotti, F., Buri, P., Miles, E. S., Immerzeel, W. W.,
    &#38; Reid, T. D. (2015). Modelling ice-cliff backwasting on a debris-covered
    glacier in the Nepalese Himalaya. <i>Journal of Glaciology</i>. International
    Glaciological Society. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3189/2015jog14j194">https://doi.org/10.3189/2015jog14j194</a>
  chicago: Steiner, Jakob F., Francesca Pellicciotti, Pascal Buri, Evan S. Miles,
    Walter W. Immerzeel, and Tim D. Reid. “Modelling Ice-Cliff Backwasting on a Debris-Covered
    Glacier in the Nepalese Himalaya.” <i>Journal of Glaciology</i>. International
    Glaciological Society, 2015. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3189/2015jog14j194">https://doi.org/10.3189/2015jog14j194</a>.
  ieee: J. F. Steiner, F. Pellicciotti, P. Buri, E. S. Miles, W. W. Immerzeel, and
    T. D. Reid, “Modelling ice-cliff backwasting on a debris-covered glacier in the
    Nepalese Himalaya,” <i>Journal of Glaciology</i>, vol. 61, no. 229. International
    Glaciological Society, pp. 889–907, 2015.
  ista: Steiner JF, Pellicciotti F, Buri P, Miles ES, Immerzeel WW, Reid TD. 2015.
    Modelling ice-cliff backwasting on a debris-covered glacier in the Nepalese Himalaya.
    Journal of Glaciology. 61(229), 889–907.
  mla: Steiner, Jakob F., et al. “Modelling Ice-Cliff Backwasting on a Debris-Covered
    Glacier in the Nepalese Himalaya.” <i>Journal of Glaciology</i>, vol. 61, no.
    229, International Glaciological Society, 2015, pp. 889–907, doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.3189/2015jog14j194">10.3189/2015jog14j194</a>.
  short: J.F. Steiner, F. Pellicciotti, P. Buri, E.S. Miles, W.W. Immerzeel, T.D.
    Reid, Journal of Glaciology 61 (2015) 889–907.
date_created: 2023-02-20T08:16:01Z
date_published: 2015-07-01T00:00:00Z
date_updated: 2023-02-24T09:43:14Z
day: '01'
doi: 10.3189/2015jog14j194
extern: '1'
intvolume: '        61'
issue: '229'
language:
- iso: eng
main_file_link:
- open_access: '1'
  url: https://doi.org/10.3189/2015JoG14J194
month: '07'
oa: 1
oa_version: Published Version
page: 889-907
publication: Journal of Glaciology
publication_identifier:
  eissn:
  - 1727-5652
  issn:
  - 0022-1430
publication_status: published
publisher: International Glaciological Society
quality_controlled: '1'
scopus_import: '1'
status: public
title: Modelling ice-cliff backwasting on a debris-covered glacier in the Nepalese
  Himalaya
type: journal_article
user_id: 2DF688A6-F248-11E8-B48F-1D18A9856A87
volume: 61
year: '2015'
...