| Term: | Flux-divergence method |
| Definition: |
Application of the continuity equation to determine mass balance at a point using measurements on the glacier surface or remotely of thickness, thickness change and surface velocity. The required data may be obtained 1 for thickness, from boreholes or radar; 2 for thickness change, from repeated optical surveying, laser altimetry, radar altimetry, photogrammetry, or Global Positioning System determinations of altitude; 3 for surface velocity, from repeated optical surveying or Global Positioning System determinations of stake locations or feature tracking. In the case of several repeated thickness change and velocity determinations, thickness can also be obtained as the solution of a problem in geophysical inverse theory. IHPGlacierMassBalance
GCW |