Heat Balance in the Ablation Area of the Ampere Glacier (Kerguelen Islands)

Abstract

The heat balance at the surface of the Ampere Glacier (69°E, 49°S) was studied from 8 January to 2 March 1972. The validity of the logarithmic model was verified up to a height of 3 m for wind speed and 2 m for temperature. The energy conservation equation in the heat exchange layer was verified to 2%. On an average, net radiation is responsible for 58% of the melting. However, during periods when turbulence is particularly high, the eddy fluxes of sensible heat and latent heat are responsible for 56% of the melting. The ocean environment manifests itself by fluxes of latent heat which are generally directed toward the surface.