Université de Fribourg

100-year mass changes in the Swiss Alps linked to the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation

Huss, Matthias ; Hock, Regine ; Bauder, Andreas ; Funk, Martin

In: Geophysical Research Letters, 2010, vol. 37, p. L10501

Thirty new 100-year records of glacier surface mass balance, accumulation and melt in the Swiss Alps are presented. The time series are based on a comprehensive set of field data and distributed modeling and provide insights into the glacier-climate linkage. Considerable mass loss over the 20th century is evident for all glaciers, but rates differ strongly. Glacier mass loss shows multidecadal...

Université de Fribourg

Common climatic signal from glaciers in the European Alps over the last 50 years

Vincent, C. ; Fischer, A. ; Mayer, C. ; Bauder, Andreas ; Galos, S. P. ; Funk, Martin ; Thibert, E. ; Six, D. ; Braun, L. ; Huss, Matthias

In: Geophysical Research Letters, 2017, vol. 44, no. 3, p. 1376–1383

Conventional glacier-wide mass balances are commonly used to study the effect of climate forcing on glacier melt. Unfortunately, the glacier-wide mass balances are also influenced by the glacier's dynamic response. Investigations on the effects of climate forcing on glaciers can be largely improved by analyzing point mass balances. Using a statistical model, we have found that 52% of the...

Université de Fribourg

The impact of Saharan dust and black carbon on albedo and long-term mass balance of an Alpine glacier

Gabbi, J. ; Huss, Matthias ; Bauder, Andreas ; Cao, F. ; Schwikowski, M.

In: The Cryosphere, 2015, vol. 9, no. 4, p. 1385–1400

Light-absorbing impurities in snow and ice control glacier melt as shortwave radiation represents the main component of the surface energy balance. Here, we investigate the long-term effect of snow impurities, i.e., mineral dust and black carbon (BC), on albedo and glacier mass balance. The analysis was performed over the period 1914–2014 for two sites on Claridenfirn, Swiss Alps, where an...

Université de Fribourg

New long-term mass-balance series for the Swiss Alps

Huss, Matthias ; Dhulst, Laurie ; Bauder, Andreas

In: Journal of Glaciology, 2015, vol. 61, no. 227, p. 551–562

In this study we present 19 new or re-analysed series of glacier-wide seasonal mass balance for the Swiss Alps based on direct measurements. The records partly start around 1920 and continue until today. Previously unpublished and unevaluated observations of point winter and annual balance are compiled from various sources and archives. These highly valuable datasets have not yet been...

Université de Fribourg

Proglacial erosion rates and processes in a glacierized catchment in the Swiss Alps

Delaney, Ian ; Bauder, Andreas ; Huss, Matthias ; Weidmann, Yvo

In: Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 2018, vol. 43, no. 4, p. 765–778

In the Swiss Alps, climatic changes have not only caused glacier retreat, but also likely increased sedimentation downstream of glaciers. This material either originates from below the glacier or from periglacial environments, which are exposed as glaciers retreat, and often consist of easily erodible sediment. Griesgletscher's catchment in the Swiss Alps was examined to quantify erosion in...

Université de Fribourg

Runoff evolution in the Swiss Alps: projections for selected high-alpine catchments based on ENSEMBLES scenario

Farinotti, Daniel ; Usselmann, Stephanie ; Huss, Matthias ; Bauder, Andreas ; Funk, Martin

In: Hydrological Processes, 2011, vol. 25, p. -

The Alps are often referred to as the ‘water tower of Europe’. In Switzerland, many branches of the economy, especially the hydropower industry, are closely linked to and dependent on the availability of water. Assessing the impact of climate change on streamflow runoff is, thus, of great interest. Major efforts have already been made in this respect, but the analyses often focus on...

Université de Fribourg

Snow accumulation distribution inferred from time-lapse photography and simple modelling

Farinotti, Daniel ; Magnusson, Jan ; Huss, Matthias ; Bauder, Andreas

In: Hydrological Processes, 2010, p. -

The spatial and temporal distribution of snow accumulation is complex and significantly influences the hydrological characteristics of mountain catchments. Many snow redistribution processes, such as avalanching, slushflow or wind drift, are controlled by topography, but their modelling remains challenging. In situ measurements of snow accumulation are laborious and generally have a coarse...