| Data Tables, Images, and Other Entities: |
| Data Table: | Units_and_Column_Descriptions
View Table Metadata
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Short Name: | glcrweq |
| Online Distribution Info: |
| Schema Name: | http://www.mcmlter.org/queries/glacier_results.jsp |
| Description: |
| You can build your own query for to retrieve Mass Balance summaries for all glaciers using the URL
http://www.mcmlter.org/queries/glacier_results.jsp and the described parameters below, or you can just
visit the URL http://www.mcmlter.org/queries/glacier_queries.jsp and simply use the online form to build your
own glacier query for all the availabe glaciers and parameters (ie. average stake height, stake height, snow depth,
snow and ice mass changes, snow density, mass balance summary). Using the form is the easiest method. |
| Here is an example to query for the mass balance summary from December 1998 to
January 2000 on Taylor Glacier:
http://www.mcmlter.org/queries/glacier_results.jsp?begDate=12/01/1998&endDate=01/01/2000&metStation=TAY&dataType=WEQ |
| variable (dataType) abbreviations for glacier data: |
AVGLSTK (Average Stake Height)
GLSNDPT (Snow Depths)
GLSTKHT (Stake Heights)
MSCHNG (Snow and Ice Mass Changes)
SNWDNS (Snow Densities)
WEQ (Mass Balance Summary)
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| begDate: |
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| Desired begin date for the data, use format MM/DD/YYYY |
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| endDate: |
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| Desired End Date for the data query |
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| metStation: |
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| This is the shorthand code for the name of the glacier, as follows: Canada=CAN, Commonwealth=COM, Howard=HOW, Hughes=HUGH,
Suess=SUES, Taylor=TAY |
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| dataType: |
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| variable abbreviation for the parameter of interest, such as snow and ice mass changes, or mass balance summaries.
For a list of the used abbreviations, see the abbreviation section above |
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| Data Set Owner(s): |
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Individual: | Andrew Fountain |
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Address: |
| Department of Geology, |
| 17 Cramer Hall, |
| 1721 SW Broadway, |
| Portland State University, |
| Portland, OR 97207-0751 USA |
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Phone:
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Email Address:
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| Metadata Provider(s): |
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Organization: | McMurdo Dry Valleys LTER |
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Address: |
| Byrd Polar Research Center, |
| 108 Scott Hall, |
| 1090 Carmack Rd, |
| Columbus, OH 43210-1002 USA |
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Phone:
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Phone:
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Email Address:
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| Associated Party: |
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Individual: | Hassan Basagic |
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Address: |
| Department of Geology, |
| Portland State University, |
| Portland, OR 97207-0751 USA |
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Email Address:
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Role:
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| Abstract: |
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As part of the Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) project in the McMurdo Dry Valleys
of Antarctica, a systematic sampling program has been undertaken to monitor mass balance and meltwater flow
from the Taylor Valley glaciers. This dataset contains mass balance changes at each stake measured on the
glaciers of Taylor Valley. The values are the result of an analysis of the raw data presented in other data files
(glacier stake heights and snow depths, and glacier snow densities). Included here for each stake is the total
water equivalent mass change. The standard deviation or the range for each total is given.
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| Keywords: |
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- glacier
(theme)
- mass balance
(theme)
- water equivalent
(theme)
- Antarctica
(theme)
- McMurdo Dry Valleys
(theme)
- dry valleys
(theme)
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| Additional Information: |
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| A Note about measurement timing |
The goal of each summer season is to take measurements in early spring (Oct/Nov) and
late summer (late January). This provides a measure of seasonal winter/summer changes of glacier mass.
In some circumstances we have the opportunity or need to measure the glaciers in mid-season (Dec).
View the dates the measurements were made at the following URL: http://www.mcmlter.org/data/glaciers/timing/weqdates.pdf
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| A Note about Stake names |
A stake with an H or V indicates a stake along the ice cliff that forms the boundary of the
glacier terminus. An H is a horizontal stake placed into the vertical wall of the glacier terminus, and V
is a stake placed into the ice apron at the base of the ice cliff. The vertical stakes were installed to
support the horizontal stakes and provide a nearby measure of ablation for a surface with a much
different slope.
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| A Note about Standard Deviation Calculations |
During the early years only one or two measurements of surface height were taken at
each stake. If two measurements were taken, the average was used and the range expressed as
the error; note of this was made in "comments" field. If greater than 2 measurements of surface
height and snow depth were taken, standard deviation of Total WEQ Change was based on a
calculation of errors.
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| Notes |
Data contained in these files has been subjected to quality control standards
imposed by the investigator. The user of this data should be aware that, while efforts have
been taken to ensure that these data are of the highest quality, there is no guarantee of
perfection for the data contained herein and the possibility of errors exists. If you
encounter questionable data, please contact the MCM LTER data manager so that the
data can be corrected or qualified. Thus, these data may be modified
and future data will be appended.
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| License and Usage Rights: |
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| MCM LTER data may be used freely with the following restrictions: |
The Principal Investigator be sent a notice stating reasons for acquiring any data and a description of the publication intentions.The Principal Investigator of the data set be sent a copy of the report or manuscript prior to submission and be adequately cited in any resultant publications.A copy of any resultant publications should be sent to the McMurdo data manager and principal investigator.The end-user follow the guidelines set forth in the LTER Network Data Access Policy, Data Access Requirements, and General Data Use Agreement found at http://www.mcmlter.org/data_guidelines.htm
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| Geographic Coverage: |
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Geographic Description: | Data was collected from the Canada,
Commonwealth, Howard, Hughes, Suess and Taylor glaciers, located
in the Taylor Valley of Antarctica. Specific latitudes, longitudes, and
elevations of the stakes from which information was gathered can be
found in the glacier stake locations file. |
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Bounding Coordinates:
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| West: | 162 degrees
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| East: | 163.6 degrees
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| North: | -77.2 degrees
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| South: | -77.8 degrees
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Mimimum Altitude: | 0 meter |
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Maximum Altitude: | 2000 meter |
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| Temporal Coverage: |
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Begin:
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End:
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| Maintenance: |
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Description:
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Data for the glacier mass balance summaries was submitted by Andrew G. Fountain to the data
manager in August, 1997. The column showing "file name" identifies the original file containing that
record. These are ascii text files and can be found on the PC in the McMurdo LTER data manager's
office at INSTAAR. Once submitted to INSTAAR, the data manager used Microsoft Excel and Access
software to produce files that were in more of a relational mode.
In March, 2000, Thomas Nylen revised the existing data, and added new data from the more recent
seasons. Instead of lumping all of the mass balance results for each glacier under one file, they were
separated into files for each glacier. Results for Hughes and Suess glaciers were also added. Metadata
fields were also completed at this time.
In April, 2000, Denise Steigerwald added fields for dataset code and glstkid. Dataset code would allow
the data to be linked to the metadata in a relational database. Glstkid is a code that ties stake records to
points on a GIS base map being developed by Michael Prentice at the University of New Hampshire.
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Frequency:
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| Contact: |
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Organization: | McMurdo Dry Valleys LTER |
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Position: | Data Manager |
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Address: |
| Byrd Polar Research Center, |
| 108 Scott Hall, |
| 1090 Carmack Rd, |
| Columbus, OH 43210-1002 USA |
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Phone:
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Email Address:
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| Publisher: |
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Organization: | McMurdo Dry Valleys LTER |
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Address: |
| Byrd Polar Research Center, |
| 108 Scott Hall, |
| 1090 Carmack Rd, |
| Columbus, OH 43210-1002 USA |
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Phone:
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| Methods Info: |
| Step 1: |
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Description:
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| The methods of data collection are described in the
glacier stake heights, snow depths and glacier snow density
metadata files. To convert the data to mass values, the total change in ice
height (usually negative) and snow height (depth for snow covered ice)
at each stake are multiplied by their respective densities. The density
for ice is 0.9 g/cm3 and the density for snow is measured in nearby snowpits.
The final error of the mass balance measurement is based on the errors
in the stake heights and snow depths found by replicated measurements.
The errors were carried through the calculations based on Baird, D.C.,
1962. Experimentation: An Introduction to Measurement Theory and Experiment
Design. Prentice Hall, Englewood. We assume no error in the snow density
measurements. |
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