The Internal Drainage of Storglaciären and Isfallsglaciären Described by an Autoregressive Model

Abstract

The theory of linear reservoirs is applied to discharge data from Storglaciären and Isfallsglaciären, near Kebnekaise in northern Sweden, during 1 to 17 August 1969. This period is almost without precipitation.

Time series analysis is used to describe storage parameters for both of the glaciers. These parameters describe the characteristics of the internal drainage from each glacier. The analysis shows that Storglaciären has two and Isfallsglaciären has three storages in their internal drainage systems. The impulse delay to maximum discharge is within three and four hours.

The input of the model is based on the energy balance at a melting snow and ice surface. The meteorological parameters used are recorded at Tarfala Research Station. The model seems to describe the internal drainage satisfactorily.

During the time series analysis we found that an outburst of water from Isfallsglaciären had taken place. Different attempts are made to calculate the released volume of water.