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, University of Innsbruck Centre for Natural Hazard Management, Innsbruck

2 PROBLEMS: Shrinking Glaciers Alpine Glaciers since 1850: High area and volume loss CH: : -39% area A: km² ; 2006: ~ km² 2

3 PROBLEMS: Shrinking Glaciers Ice melt: Kesselwandferner (Ötztal Alps), Jochdohle (Stubai Alps) Melt period 2003: 2965 m a.s.l : 3100 m a.s.l. 3

4 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 4

5 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.) 5

6 Specific Problems and critical zones Rock outcrops, steepening of terrain, ski-lift pylons 6

7 What can we do? Modify the mass balance: Increase Accumulation or decrease Ablation! 7

8 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 8

9 Overview Measurement results 2004 Intercomparison of potential cover materials 9

10 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 10

11 Overview Measurement results

12 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 % 12

13 Overview Measurement results

14 Overview Measurement results 2006 Melt rates: Reference: 3.9 cm/d Fleece: 1.5 cm/d 14

15 Overview Measurement results m a.s.l.; Southerly Exposition: 3.3 m of ice vs. 72 cm of snow 15

16 Visible effects

17 Visible effects

18 Visible effects

19 Visible effects

20 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 20

21 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 ) 21

22 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 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 22

23 Film: Webcam melt period

24 Thank you! Already doing today what others first think of tomorrow - Cause steady is only the change! Heraklit ( BC) 24

25 Specific Problems and critical zones Jochdohle, August 2004 (Stubai Alps; 3100 m a.s.l.) 25

26 PROBLEMS: Shrinking Glaciers / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /1995 Specific Mass Balance (mm) 1997/ / /2004 Mass balance HEF ( ) Balance Years

27 PROBLEMS: Shrinking Glaciers Elevation loss Hintereisferner

28 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! Ablation 28

29 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! 29

30 Overview Measurement results

31 Overview Measurement results 2005 Average ablation rates [cm d -1 ] (22 June Sept 05 (86 days): Reference: 3.2 Water injection: 3.1 Compaction: 3.0 Fleece cover: 1.3 Covering: average ablation reduction 60 % 31

32 Specific Problems and critical zones Ski lift track becomes steeper and steeper 32

33 Overview Measurement results 2004 Autumn

34 Finish area Alpine Ski World Cup Sölden 34

35 Big air Kaunertal 35

36 Snow management Strategies 36

37 PROBLEMS: Shrinking Glaciers Alpine Glaciers since 1850: High area and volume loss CH: : -39% area A: km² ; 2006: ~ km² Example eastern Alps: Glacier Hintereisferner Weißkugel 60 Oberflächenhöhe 1997 in m

38 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 38