Active Glacier Protection 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
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Marc Olefs | OECD – WENGEN 2006 WORKSHOP, 4 October 2006 | © alpS, IMGI
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 Active Glacier Protection– Overview Measurements Results 2004, 2005, 2006– Visible effects (2004 → 2006)– Other examples….
• FAQ• Conclusion/Perspectives • Short Film
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Marc Olefs | OECD – WENGEN 2006 WORKSHOP, 4 October 2006 | © alpS, IMGI
PROBLEMS: Shrinking Glaciers
• Alpine Glaciers since 1850: – High area and volume loss
CH: 1850 -1998: -39% areaA: 1850 → 1000 km² ; 2006: ~ 400-450 km²Example eastern Alps: Glacier Hintereisferner(HEF)
2200
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2400
2500
2600
2700
2800
2900
3000
3100
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Weißkugel Oberflächenhöhe 1997 in m
19791894
1997
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Marc Olefs | OECD – WENGEN 2006 WORKSHOP, 4 October 2006 | © alpS, IMGI
PROBLEMS: Shrinking Glaciers
-2000
-1500
-1000
-500
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500
1000Sp
ecifi
c M
ass
Bal
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(mm
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1952
/195
3
1955
/195
6
1958
/195
9
1961
/196
2
1964
/196
5
1967
/196
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1970
/197
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1973
/197
4
1976
/197
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1979
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0
1982
/198
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1985
/198
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1988
/198
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1991
/199
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1994
/199
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1997
/199
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2000
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1
2003
/200
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Balance Years
Mass balance HEF (1952-2005)
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Marc Olefs | OECD – WENGEN 2006 WORKSHOP, 4 October 2006 | © alpS, IMGI
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
1980 – 2006: 3100 m a.s.l.15 m ice thickness loss
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Marc Olefs | OECD – WENGEN 2006 WORKSHOP, 4 October 2006 | © alpS, IMGI
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
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Marc Olefs | OECD – WENGEN 2006 WORKSHOP, 4 October 2006 | © alpS, IMGI
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.)
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Marc Olefs | OECD – WENGEN 2006 WORKSHOP, 4 October 2006 | © alpS, IMGI
Specific Problems and critical zones
• Rock outcrops, steepening of terrain, ski-lift pylons
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Marc Olefs | OECD – WENGEN 2006 WORKSHOP, 4 October 2006 | © alpS, IMGI
What can we do?
1. Understand the system!Ice forms (snow)(high elevation) Ice flows
…and melts here!(low elevation)
Accumulation AblationIce-dynamicsProject Active glacier protection: How can we influence this system ?
Mass balance
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Marc Olefs | OECD – WENGEN 2006 WORKSHOP, 4 October 2006 | © alpS, IMGI
Mass balance of a glacier
Mass lossPrecipitationAvalanchesSnow driftSuperimposedIce
Accumulation
Icedynamics
RadiationTemperatureRel. HumidityWindRain
Ablation
ElevationSlope, Aspect
Surface Roughness, Topography
Increase Accumulation or decrease Ablation!
Mass gain
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Marc Olefs | OECD – WENGEN 2006 WORKSHOP, 4 October 2006 | © alpS, IMGI
What can we do?
Modify the mass balance:Increase Accumulation or decrease Ablation!
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Marc Olefs | OECD – WENGEN 2006 WORKSHOP, 4 October 2006 | © alpS, IMGI
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
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Marc Olefs | OECD – WENGEN 2006 WORKSHOP, 4 October 2006 | © alpS, IMGI
Overview Measurement results 2004
Autumn 2004
First comparison of potential cover materials during summer 2004
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Marc Olefs | OECD – WENGEN 2006 WORKSHOP, 4 October 2006 | © alpS, IMGI
Overview Measurement results 2004
Intercomparison of potential cover materials
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Marc Olefs | OECD – WENGEN 2006 WORKSHOP, 4 October 2006 | © alpS, IMGI
Overview Measurement results 2005
10. 8. 2005
25 different blanketsof different materials
Thickness effect
Biological investigations
Test of operational fleece (320 m²)
2 weather stations (Radbal (4 comp.),T,RH,ff,dd,SHGT,rain)
Reference area
Intensive measurement campaign since January 2005
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Marc Olefs | OECD – WENGEN 2006 WORKSHOP, 4 October 2006 | © alpS, IMGI
Overview Measurement results 2005
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Marc Olefs | OECD – WENGEN 2006 WORKSHOP, 4 October 2006 | © alpS, IMGI
Overview Measurement results 2005
Average ablation rates [cm d-1] (22 June 05 – 16 Sept 05 (86 days):Reference: 3.2Fleece cover: 1.3
Covering: average ablation reduction 60 %
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Marc Olefs | OECD – WENGEN 2006 WORKSHOP, 4 October 2006 | © alpS, IMGI
Overview Measurement results 2005
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Marc Olefs | OECD – WENGEN 2006 WORKSHOP, 4 October 2006 | © alpS, IMGI
Overview Measurement results 2006
Melt rates:Reference: 3.9 cm/dFleece: 1.5 cm/d
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Marc Olefs | OECD – WENGEN 2006 WORKSHOP, 4 October 2006 | © alpS, IMGI
Overview Measurement results 2006
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Marc Olefs | OECD – WENGEN 2006 WORKSHOP, 4 October 2006 | © alpS, IMGI
• 2960 m a.s.l.; Southerly Exposition: 3.3 m of ice vs. 72 cm of snow
Overview Measurement results 2006
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Marc Olefs | OECD – WENGEN 2006 WORKSHOP, 4 October 2006 | © alpS, IMGI
Visible effects 2004-2006
2004 2006
Consequent covering combined with snow management strategies at the Jochdohle (Stubai Alps) in 3100 m a.s.l.
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Marc Olefs | OECD – WENGEN 2006 WORKSHOP, 4 October 2006 | © alpS, IMGI
Visible effects 2004-2006
2004
2006
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Marc Olefs | OECD – WENGEN 2006 WORKSHOP, 4 October 2006 | © alpS, IMGI
Visible effects 2004-2006
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Marc Olefs | OECD – WENGEN 2006 WORKSHOP, 4 October 2006 | © alpS, IMGI
Visible effects 2004-2006
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Marc Olefs | OECD – WENGEN 2006 WORKSHOP, 4 October 2006 | © alpS, IMGI
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
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Marc Olefs | OECD – WENGEN 2006 WORKSHOP, 4 October 2006 | © alpS, IMGI
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 2004-2006). This value is increases with altitude and more southerly exposition.
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Marc Olefs | OECD – WENGEN 2006 WORKSHOP, 4 October 2006 | © alpS, IMGI
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 futureContribution to the sustainable development of concerned alpine regionsSafeguard of jobs and market
Preservation of social structures and cultural area
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Marc Olefs | OECD – WENGEN 2006 WORKSHOP, 4 October 2006 | © alpS, IMGI
Film: Webcam melt period 2005
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Marc Olefs | OECD – WENGEN 2006 WORKSHOP, 4 October 2006 | © alpS, IMGI
Thank you!
“Already doing today what others first think of tomorrow -Cause steady is only the change! ”
Heraklit (540-480 BC)