(similar to the one shown in Fig. 9.3 at the glacier margin) of the continuously
debris-covered part.
Supraglacial debris cover influences the ablation rate in two different ways. A
thin layer (less than approx. 2 cm in thickness) lowers the albedo, influences the
Table 9.4 Extent of supraglacial debris cover of Pasterze Glacier at the glacier tongue in 2003,
2006 and 2006
Area
Debris-covered
Bare ice
Total area
Relative to 2003
[km
2
]
[%]
[km
2
]
[%]
[km
2
]
[%]
2003
2.81
62.8
1.66
37.2
4.47
100.0
2006
3.00
73.3
1.09
26.7
4.09
91.6
2009
2.75
72.1
1.07
27.9
3.82
85.5
Fig. 9.8 Evolution of supraglacial debris cover and the main supraglacial meltwater channel at
the glacier tongue between 2003 and 2009. Contour lines in (d) are based on the 2009DEM
9 Glaciological Studies at Pasterze Glacier (Austria) Based on Aerial Photographs
189