---
_id: '12613'
abstract:
- lang: eng
  text: 'We use high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) from unmanned aerial
    vehicle (UAV) surveys to document the evolution of four ice cliffs on the debris-covered
    tongue of Lirung Glacier, Nepal, over one ablation season. Observations show that
    out of four cliffs, three different patterns of evolution emerge: (i) reclining
    cliffs that flatten during the ablation season; (ii) stable cliffs that maintain
    a self-similar geometry; and (iii) growing cliffs, expanding laterally. We use
    the insights from this unique data set to develop a 3-D model of cliff backwasting
    and evolution that is validated against observations and an independent data set
    of volume losses. The model includes ablation at the cliff surface driven by energy
    exchange with the atmosphere, reburial of cliff cells by surrounding debris, and
    the effect of adjacent ponds. The cliff geometry is updated monthly to account
    for the modifications induced by each of those processes. Model results indicate
    that a major factor affecting the survival of steep cliffs is the coupling with
    ponded water at its base, which prevents progressive flattening and possible disappearance
    of a cliff. The radial growth observed at one cliff is explained by higher receipts
    of longwave and shortwave radiation, calculated taking into account atmospheric
    fluxes, shading, and the emission of longwave radiation from debris surfaces.
    The model is a clear step forward compared to existing static approaches that
    calculate atmospheric melt over an invariant cliff geometry and can be used for
    long-term simulations of cliff evolution and to test existing hypotheses about
    cliffs'' survival.'
article_processing_charge: No
article_type: original
author:
- first_name: Pascal
  full_name: Buri, Pascal
  last_name: Buri
- first_name: Evan S.
  full_name: Miles, Evan S.
  last_name: Miles
- first_name: Jakob F.
  full_name: Steiner, Jakob F.
  last_name: Steiner
- first_name: Walter W.
  full_name: Immerzeel, Walter W.
  last_name: Immerzeel
- first_name: Patrick
  full_name: Wagnon, Patrick
  last_name: Wagnon
- first_name: Francesca
  full_name: Pellicciotti, Francesca
  id: b28f055a-81ea-11ed-b70c-a9fe7f7b0e70
  last_name: Pellicciotti
citation:
  ama: 'Buri P, Miles ES, Steiner JF, Immerzeel WW, Wagnon P, Pellicciotti F. A physically
    based 3‐D model of ice cliff evolution over debris‐covered glaciers. <i>Journal
    of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface</i>. 2016;121(12):2471-2493. doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/2016jf004039">10.1002/2016jf004039</a>'
  apa: 'Buri, P., Miles, E. S., Steiner, J. F., Immerzeel, W. W., Wagnon, P., &#38;
    Pellicciotti, F. (2016). A physically based 3‐D model of ice cliff evolution over
    debris‐covered glaciers. <i>Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface</i>.
    American Geophysical Union. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/2016jf004039">https://doi.org/10.1002/2016jf004039</a>'
  chicago: 'Buri, Pascal, Evan S. Miles, Jakob F. Steiner, Walter W. Immerzeel, Patrick
    Wagnon, and Francesca Pellicciotti. “A Physically Based 3‐D Model of Ice Cliff
    Evolution over Debris‐covered Glaciers.” <i>Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth
    Surface</i>. American Geophysical Union, 2016. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/2016jf004039">https://doi.org/10.1002/2016jf004039</a>.'
  ieee: 'P. Buri, E. S. Miles, J. F. Steiner, W. W. Immerzeel, P. Wagnon, and F. Pellicciotti,
    “A physically based 3‐D model of ice cliff evolution over debris‐covered glaciers,”
    <i>Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface</i>, vol. 121, no. 12. American
    Geophysical Union, pp. 2471–2493, 2016.'
  ista: 'Buri P, Miles ES, Steiner JF, Immerzeel WW, Wagnon P, Pellicciotti F. 2016.
    A physically based 3‐D model of ice cliff evolution over debris‐covered glaciers.
    Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface. 121(12), 2471–2493.'
  mla: 'Buri, Pascal, et al. “A Physically Based 3‐D Model of Ice Cliff Evolution
    over Debris‐covered Glaciers.” <i>Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface</i>,
    vol. 121, no. 12, American Geophysical Union, 2016, pp. 2471–93, doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/2016jf004039">10.1002/2016jf004039</a>.'
  short: 'P. Buri, E.S. Miles, J.F. Steiner, W.W. Immerzeel, P. Wagnon, F. Pellicciotti,
    Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface 121 (2016) 2471–2493.'
date_created: 2023-02-20T08:14:28Z
date_published: 2016-11-22T00:00:00Z
date_updated: 2023-02-24T11:34:54Z
day: '22'
doi: 10.1002/2016jf004039
extern: '1'
intvolume: '       121'
issue: '12'
keyword:
- Earth-Surface Processes
- Geophysics
language:
- iso: eng
main_file_link:
- open_access: '1'
  url: https://doi.org/10.1002/2016JF004039
month: '11'
oa: 1
oa_version: Published Version
page: 2471-2493
publication: 'Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface'
publication_identifier:
  eissn:
  - 2169-9011
  issn:
  - 2169-9003
publication_status: published
publisher: American Geophysical Union
quality_controlled: '1'
scopus_import: '1'
status: public
title: A physically based 3‐D model of ice cliff evolution over debris‐covered glaciers
type: journal_article
user_id: 2DF688A6-F248-11E8-B48F-1D18A9856A87
volume: 121
year: '2016'
...