Statistical glacier distribution in global- and regional-scale glacier modelling

Abstract

Changes in the total mass of glaciers globally form a major component of recent a and likely future a global mean sea-level rise (GMSLR), but only a handful of glaciers have detailed and long-term measurements that allow observational estimates of mass change on multi-decadal timescales. Estimating ice mass changes in glaciers on regional and global scales is typically handled with models that run on a per-glacier basis, using an inventory of glaciers collected using satellite mapping. This approach can result in mass change errors resulting from biases in the glacier inventories, particularly relating to small glaciers. The primary aims of this thesis are to improve our understanding of the distribution of glacierised area on large scales, and to use this information to inform improvements or corrections to regional- and global-scale glacier modelling efforts. Three papers are presented.