Active Glacier Protection in Austria - An adaptation strategy for glacier skiing resorts

Transcription

1 in Austria - An adaptation strategy for glacier skiing resorts Presented by Marc Olefs Ice and Climate Group, Institute of Meteorology And Geophysics (IMGI), University of Innsbruck Centre for Natural Hazard Management, Innsbruck 2006 alps, IMGI

2 Overview Problems Shrinking glaciers Specific Problems and Critical zones (Glacier skiing resorts) What can we do? Solutions: Local modification of the glacial mass budget: The project Overview Measurements Results 2004, 2005, 2006 Visible effects ( ) Other examples. FAQ Conclusion/Perspectives Short Film 2

3 PROBLEMS: Shrinking Glaciers Alpine Glaciers since 1850: High area and volume loss CH: : -39% area A: km² ; 2006: ~ km² Example eastern Alps: Glacier Hintereisferner (HEF) Weißkugel Oberflächenhöhe 1997 in m

4 PROBLEMS: Shrinking Glaciers / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /2001 Specific Mass Balance (mm) 2003/2004 Mass balance HEF ( ) Balance Years

5 PROBLEMS: Shrinking Glaciers Ice melt: Kesselwandferner (Ötztal Alps), Jochdohle (Stubai Alps) Melt period 2003: 2965 m a.s.l.: 6 m of ice thickness loss : 3100 m a.s.l. 15 m ice thickness loss 5

6 Specific Problems and critical zones Increased Maintenance Costs due to: Stronger melting around ski-lift pylons Subsidence of the glacier surface and increasing distance to the glacier margin (ski-lift stations, buildings) structural measures Worry about thin-ice areas Future perspectives Rock outcrops Steepening of slopes and ski lift tracks 6

7 Specific Problems and critical zones Subsidence of the surface & increased distance to margin Mittelbergferner (Pitztal): 3400 m a.s.l. Schaufelferner (Stubai; 2870 m a.s.l.) 7

8 Specific Problems and critical zones Rock outcrops, steepening of terrain, ski-lift pylons 8

9 What can we do? 1. Understand the system! Ice forms (snow) (high elevation) Accumulation Ice flows Ice-dynamics Project Active glacier protection: How can we influence this system? Mass balance and melts here! (low elevation) Ablation 9

10 Mass balance of a glacier Mass gain Mass loss Precipitation Avalanches Snow drift Superimposed Ice Accumulation Icedynamics Radiation Temperature Rel. Humidity Wind Rain Elevation Slope, Aspect Surface Roughness, Topography Ablation Increase Accumulation or decrease Ablation! 10

11 What can we do? Modify the mass balance: Increase Accumulation or decrease Ablation! 11

12 Project Structure & Objectives Duration: July 2004 July 2006 Cooperations: 3 Institutes (University of Innsbruck) 4 glacier skiing resorts & other companies Goal: Comparative evaluation of technical methods to reduce snow & ice ablation within glacier skiing resorts Investigations: Mass & energy balance; Biota; Biodegradability Main test area: Glacier ski resort Stubai 12

13 Overview Measurement results 2004 Autumn 2004 First comparison of potential cover materials during summer

14 Overview Measurement results 2004 Intercomparison of potential cover materials 14

15 Overview Measurement results weather stations (Radbal (4 comp.),t,rh,ff,dd,shgt,rain) Biological investigations Reference area Test of operational fleece (320 m²) 25 different blankets of different materials Thickness effect Intensive measurement campaign since January

16 Overview Measurement results

17 Overview Measurement results 2005 Average ablation rates [cm d -1 ] (22 June Sept 05 (86 days): Reference: 3.2 Fleece cover: 1.3 Covering: average ablation reduction 60 % 17

18 Overview Measurement results

19 Overview Measurement results 2006 Melt rates: Reference: 3.9 cm/d Fleece: 1.5 cm/d 19

20 Overview Measurement results

21 Overview Measurement results m a.s.l.; Southerly Exposition: 3.3 m of ice vs. 72 cm of snow 21

22 Visible effects Consequent covering combined with snow management strategies at the Jochdohle (Stubai Alps) in 3100 m a.s.l. 22

23 Visible effects

24 Visible effects

25 Visible effects

26 FAQ? What areas are covered? Do you cover whole glaciers? 2006: 28 ha (0.11 mi²/40 pitches) (4 Tyrolean glacier skiing resorts/ 5-10 ha per resort); 3% of the total resort areas. < 1 %o of Tyrolean glacier area. No! Limited to skiing resorts and critical patches (time & money problem).? How much does it cost? Material ~1 /m² ; Work (placement/removal, fixing systems) ~1-2 /m² 2-3 /m²? Are the materials removed during Winter? Yes max. of winter snow under the cover? What about biologically degradable materials? Not used less effective + import of too much biota + long decomposition time 26

27 FAQ? Is there an impact on runoff/hydrology? Negligible! (small areas)? Is this an environmentally-friendly solution? Yes, absolutely. Comparison of melt water and biota under the covers / undisturbed area shows no negative impact.? How effective is this? The melt is reduced by around 60%! (mean over 3 melt periods ). This value is increases with altitude and more southerly exposition. 27

28 Conclusion/Perspectives Covering of critical patches within glacier skiing resorts is an effective & practical method Reduction of maintenance costs and structural measures Maintenance of operation is extended in time in the future Gain of attractiveness now and in the future Contribution to the sustainable development of concerned alpine regions Safeguard of jobs and market Preservation of social structures and cultural area 28

29 Film: Webcam melt period

30 Thank you! Already doing today what others first think of tomorrow - Cause steady is only the change! Heraklit ( BC) marc.olefs@uibk.ac.at 30