Supraglacial Streams and Rivers

摘要

Supraglacial meltwater channels that flow on the surfaces of glaciers, ice sheets, and ice shelves connect ice surface climatology with subglacial processes, ice dynamics, and eustatic sea level changes. Their important role in transferring water and heat across and into ice is currently absent from models of surface mass balance and runoff contributions to global sea level rise. Furthermore, relatively little is known about the genesis, evolution, hydrology, hydraulics, and morphology of supraglacial rivers, and a first synthesis and review of published research on these unusual features is lacking. To that end, we review their (a) known geographical distribution; (b) formation, morphology, and sediment transport processes; (c) hydrology and hydraulics; and (d) impact on ice sheet surface energy balance, heat exchange, basal conditions, and ice shelf stability. We conclude with a synthesis of key knowledge gaps and provide recommendations for future research.