Earth’s Cryosphere, 2022, Vol. XXV, No. 5, p. 23-35

MASS BALANCE MODELLING FOR THE SARY-TOR GLACIER (THE AK-SHYIRAK MASSIF, INNER TIEN SHAN)

E.P. Rets¹, D.A. Petrakov², E.V. Belozerov¹, A.M. Shpuntova²

¹Water Problems Institute, RAS, Gubkina str. 3, Moscow, 119333, Russia; retska@mail.ru
²Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geography, Leninskie Gory 1, Moscow, 119991, Russia

As the direct measurements for the mass balance estimation can be applied only for a limited number of glaciers, alternative methods of estimation need to be developed. One of the most promising approaches is physically-based modelling, that is now being applied globally. In this study the mass balance of the Sary-Tor valley glacier was reconstructed for the period of 2003–2016. Originally developed for the North Caucasus AMelt model was modified to fit the conditions of continental glaciers. A block of snowpack processes was added to the model, including: head conductivity in the snowpack and in the active layer, water filtration in the snowpack and firn, congelation and regelation. The modelling results were verified using: 1) direct measurements on the ablation stakes net; 2) mass balance estimation according to geodetic method. The calibration parameters are compared to their measured values. Contrasting modeled mass-balance components for 2003–2016 and measured in 1985–1989 provided possibility to reveal climatically induced change of the Sary-Tor glacier dynamics.

Mass balance modelling, glaciers, Tien Shan, AMelt model