Impacts of topographic shading on direct solar radiation for valley glaciers in complex topography
<p>Topographic shading, including both shaded relief and cast shadowing, plays a fundamental role in determining direct solar radiation on glacier ice. However, shading has been oversimplified or incorrectly incorporated in surface energy balance models in some past studies. In addition, no sy...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2019-01-01
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| Series: | The Cryosphere |
| Online Access: | https://www.the-cryosphere.net/13/29/2019/tc-13-29-2019.pdf |
| _version_ | 1811268621802930176 |
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| author | M. Olson S. Rupper |
| author_facet | M. Olson S. Rupper |
| author_sort | M. Olson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Topographic shading, including both shaded relief and cast shadowing, plays a
fundamental role in determining direct solar radiation on glacier ice.
However, shading has been oversimplified or incorrectly incorporated in
surface energy balance models in some past studies. In addition, no
systematic studies have been conducted to evaluate relationships between
shading and other topographic characteristics. Here we develop a topographic
solar radiation model to examine the variability in irradiance throughout the
glacier melt season due to topographic shading and combined slope and aspect.
We apply the model to multiple glaciers in high-mountain Asia (HMA) and test
the sensitivity of shading to valley aspect and latitude. Our results show
that topographic shading significantly alters the potential direct clear-sky
solar radiation received at the surface for valley glaciers in HMA,
particularly for north- and south-facing glaciers. Additionally, we find that
shading can be extremely impactful in the ablation zone. Cast shadowing is
the dominant mechanism in determining total shading for valley glaciers in
parts of HMA, especially at lower elevations. Although shading can be
predictable, it is overall extremely variable between glacial valleys. Our
results suggest that topographic shading not only is an important factor
contributing to surface energy balance but could also influence glacier
response and mass balance estimates throughout HMA.</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T21:26:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d41f30002a634ec4b44bfe80035c174e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1994-0416 1994-0424 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T21:26:15Z |
| publishDate | 2019-01-01 |
| publisher | Copernicus Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | The Cryosphere |
| spelling | doaj.art-d41f30002a634ec4b44bfe80035c174e2022-12-22T03:16:10ZengCopernicus PublicationsThe Cryosphere1994-04161994-04242019-01-0113294010.5194/tc-13-29-2019Impacts of topographic shading on direct solar radiation for valley glaciers in complex topographyM. Olson0S. Rupper1Department of Geography, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USADepartment of Geography, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA<p>Topographic shading, including both shaded relief and cast shadowing, plays a fundamental role in determining direct solar radiation on glacier ice. However, shading has been oversimplified or incorrectly incorporated in surface energy balance models in some past studies. In addition, no systematic studies have been conducted to evaluate relationships between shading and other topographic characteristics. Here we develop a topographic solar radiation model to examine the variability in irradiance throughout the glacier melt season due to topographic shading and combined slope and aspect. We apply the model to multiple glaciers in high-mountain Asia (HMA) and test the sensitivity of shading to valley aspect and latitude. Our results show that topographic shading significantly alters the potential direct clear-sky solar radiation received at the surface for valley glaciers in HMA, particularly for north- and south-facing glaciers. Additionally, we find that shading can be extremely impactful in the ablation zone. Cast shadowing is the dominant mechanism in determining total shading for valley glaciers in parts of HMA, especially at lower elevations. Although shading can be predictable, it is overall extremely variable between glacial valleys. Our results suggest that topographic shading not only is an important factor contributing to surface energy balance but could also influence glacier response and mass balance estimates throughout HMA.</p>https://www.the-cryosphere.net/13/29/2019/tc-13-29-2019.pdf |
| spellingShingle | M. Olson S. Rupper Impacts of topographic shading on direct solar radiation for valley glaciers in complex topography The Cryosphere |
| title | Impacts of topographic shading on direct solar radiation for valley glaciers in complex topography |
| title_full | Impacts of topographic shading on direct solar radiation for valley glaciers in complex topography |
| title_fullStr | Impacts of topographic shading on direct solar radiation for valley glaciers in complex topography |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impacts of topographic shading on direct solar radiation for valley glaciers in complex topography |
| title_short | Impacts of topographic shading on direct solar radiation for valley glaciers in complex topography |
| title_sort | impacts of topographic shading on direct solar radiation for valley glaciers in complex topography |
| url | https://www.the-cryosphere.net/13/29/2019/tc-13-29-2019.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT molson impactsoftopographicshadingondirectsolarradiationforvalleyglaciersincomplextopography AT srupper impactsoftopographicshadingondirectsolarradiationforvalleyglaciersincomplextopography |