Glacier-Climate Interaction at the Mountain Range Scale:  A Numerical Model Constrained by Remote Sensing Data

This research will investigate the response of all glaciers within a mountain range to climate forcing.  Using information derived primarily from remote sensing data as input to a newly developed numerical model, a suite of glaciers will be simulated under prescribed climate conditions.  The simulations will be used to both test reconstructions of past climate and to investigate the responses of glaciers to future climate scenarios.  The model to be used for this work has been used successfully to simulate the climate and glaciers of the Nepalese Himalaya [Harper and Humphrey, 2003].  This model is not a simple GIS-type mass-balance computation.  Rather, this cellular automata model simulates ice flow dynamics so that snow and ice is redistributed across the mountain landscape by glacier motion.  Because this step is essential to addressing the problem but difficult to execute, there has been little success by (the few) previous attempts at large scale modeling of mountain glaciers.  Hence, the modeling approach employed here represents a breakthrough in the problem.  The ultimate goal for this research is to use the model to simulate the response of glaciers in Alaska to future climate � an important issue with implications for global sea level rise.  This seed grant will be used to conduct a concept study to develop methodology, especially the derivation of model input from remote sensing data, and to demonstrate the model�s capabilities and limitations.  These steps are necessary before seeking funding from the Oceans and Ice branch of NASA for a large scale project in Alaska.  Glacier National Park, Montana, will be the location of the concept study because the glaciers in this area have undergone significant change in the last 150 years that is unusually well documented.

Contact Information

Mail:	Dr. Joel T. Harper
	Department of Geology
	The University of Montana
	Missoula, MT 59812