CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : DeBeer, C.
Date : 2005.
Title : Recent glacier retreat within the Canadian Rockies and Coast Mountains.
Publication : Canadian Geophysical Union Annual Science Meeting, Banff, Alberta. May 8-11, 2005.
Issue :
Page(s) :
Abstract
To date, detailed investigations of mass balance and frontal variations have been carried out for a few select glaciers in the Canadian Rockies and Coast Mountains (e.g. Peyto, Athabasca, and Place Glaciers), but there is a need for a regional summary of recent changes in glacier surface area and volume. Therefore, the objective of this research is to quantify the net change in these variables over the past half-century at a regional scale in the Rocky and Coast Mountains, focusing on areas between 50-51° N, and 116-125° W. The research will identify the spatial variability in the rates of change across the study area and seek out possible explanations for observed patterns, which may include gradients in the nature and magnitude of climate forcing over the region, as well as differences in the intrinsic sensitivity, geometric and geographic characteristics, and response times of individual glaciers to climate forcing. Changes in glacier surface area will be determined using remotely sensed imagery and geographic information systems. Images obtained from the ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer) sensor or Landsat 7 ETM+ (Enhanced Thematic Mapper), will be compared to digital versions of NTS map sheets and aerial photography from which the maps were derived using ArcViewTM GIS. Geometric corrections and orthorectification for all imagery will be done using PCI GeomaticaTM. Volume losses will be derived from area losses using a physically-based volume-area scaling relationship. The effect of the geometric properties of individual glaciers on the magnitude of recent glacier retreat will be analyzed by investigating the relationship between area change and geometric indices such as the balance ratio (BR), the accumulation area ratio (AAR), and the hypsometric curve of each glacier. Fieldwork will be conducted to check the accuracy of the modern glacier outlines, and to confirm the volume-area relationship by surveying former margins and reconstructing surface topography to derive volume loss. Climate records from Environment Canada will be analyzed to document recent variability in air temperature and precipitation within the study area. Relationships between these parameters and Pacific climate indices, such as El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), will also be investigated.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology