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Melt model
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The mass balance model computes the short-term mass balance variations (ablation and accumulation) of ice and snow with hourly to daily resolution and simulates resulting discharge. The mass balance model is fully distributed, i.e. calculations are performed for each grid cell of a digital elevation model. Ablation can be computed either by an energy balance model or by various temperature index methods. Discharge is calculated from the water provided by melt plus liquid precipitation by three linear reservoirs corresponding to the different storage properties of firn, snow and glacier ice. Discharge simulations are optional, i.e. the mass balance model can be run independently of the discharge model. In addition, subsurface temperatures, water content and percolation can be computed by a one-dimensional multi-layer snow model that is forced by the surface energy balance. This module has been added in 2006 by Carleen Tijm-Reijmer, Utrecht University.
A manual describing the model, data format requirements and how to use it can be downloaded here (latest updated version 14 Feb 2011). The model source code is available on request. All source code files except for the subsurface snow model model can be downloaded here (version from 23 May 2011). Two additional files (snow model routine) are needed to compile and run the model no matter whether or not the snow model is run. These can be obtained on request. Note that the model is continuously updated. Warning: The model may contain errrors. Users should check here for detected errors and model changes (Last update and error detected 21 September 2011).
Other useful files: a) the code to compute topographic shading. b) code to convert grid input files. c) example input mass balance file.
The model code has been applied to a number of sites and the model and various applications are described in (key references that describe the model are in bold):
Temperature-index model
- Hock, R., 1999: A distributed temperature index ice and snow melt model including potential direct solar radiation. Journal of Glaciology, 45(149), 101-111.
- Schneeberger, C., O. Albrecht, H. Blatter, M. Wild and R. Hock, 2001: Modelling the response of glaciers to a doubling in atmospheric CO2: a case study on Storglaciären, northern Sweden. Climate Dynamics 17,825-834.
- Schuler, T, U. Fischer, R. Sterr, R. Hock and H. Gudmundson, 2001: Comparison of modeled water input and measured discharge prior to a release event: Unteraargletscher, Bernese Alps, Switzerland. Nordic Hydrology 33 (1), 27-46.
- Hock, R., M. Johansson, P. Jansson and L. Bärring, 2002: Modelling the climate conditions for re-glaciation of cirques in Rassepautasjtjåkka massif, northern Sweden. Arctic, Antarctic and Alpine Research. 34(1), 3-11.
- Gurtz, J., Zappa, M., Jasper, K.,Lang, H., Verbunt, M., Badoux, A. and T. Vitvar, 2003: A comparative study in modelling runoff and its components in two mountainous catchments. Hydrological Processes 17(2), 297-311.
- Schneeberger, C., H. Blatter and A. Abe-Ouchi, 2003: Modelling changes in the mass balance of glaciers of the northern hemisphere for 2xCO2 scenario. Journal of Hydrology, 282(1-4).
- Zappa, M., F. Pos, U. Strasser and J. Gurtz, 2003: Seasonal Water Balance of an Alpine Catchment as Evaluated by Different Methods For Spatially Distributed Snow Melt Modelling. Nordic Hydrology 34(3), 179-202.
- Schuler, T., R. Hock, M. Jackson, H. Elvehøy, M. Braun, I. Brown and J.-O. Hagen, 2005. Distributed mass balance and climate sensitivity modelling of Engabreen, Norway. Annals of Glaciology 42, 395-401.
- Schuler, T., J.-O. Hagen, K. Metvold and R. Hock, 2005. Assessing the future evolution of meltwater intrusions into a mine below Gruvefonna, Svalbard. Annals of Glaciology 42, 262-268.
- de Woul, M., R. Hock, M. Braun, T. Thorsteinsson, T. Jóhannesson, S. Halldorsdottir, 2006. Firn layer effect on glacial runoff – A case study at Hofsjökull, Iceland. Hydrological Processes 20, 2171-2185. DOI:10.1002/hyp.6201.
- Huss, M, A. Bauder, M. Werder, M. Funk and R. Hock. 2007. Glacier-dammed lake outburst events of Gornersee, Switzerland. Journal of Glaciology 53(181), 189-200
- Hock, R., V. Radic and M. de Woul, 2007. Climate sensitivity of Storglaciären – An intercomparison of mass balance models using ERA-40 reanalysis and regional climate model data. Annals of Glaciology, 46, 342-348.
- M. Huss, A. Bauder, M. Funk, R. Hock, 2008. Determination of the seasonal mass balance of four Alpine glaciers since 1865. J. Geophysical Res. 113, F01015, doi:10.1029/2007JF000803.
Energy balance model
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