Argentiere Glacier Reference CryoNet Station Information
Argentiere glacier is a temperate glacier located in the French Alps (Mont Blanc area). This glacier covers an area of 19 km² and an altitude range from 1600 m to 3600 m on a North aspect. Tributary glaciers oriented East and South are also measured in this catchment area. Roughly 40 sites, distributed both in ablation and accumulation area, are measured to determine mass balance. The surface is free debris cover except in the lower part (lower than 2000 m a.s.l). An automatic weather station is located on the moraine (at an altitude of 2400 m), close to the glacier (less than 200 m). Annual mass balances are continuously measured every year since 1975, winter and summer mass balances since 1994. Snout position is determined since 1883 but data are fragmented between 1883 and 1980. Thickness variation are continously determined since 1969 along 5 transverse profils. Ice velocities are also determined along these profils since 1975.
Other Networks to Which This CryoNet Station Belongs
National : GLACIOCLIM (The GLACIers, an Observatory of the CLIMate). This network is a permanent structure funded by the French Ministry of Research, the French National center of Investigation (CNRS), the French Polar Institute (IPEV) and the French Institute for Research and Development (IRD). Only glaciological data since 1994 (mass balance, velocity, thickness and snout position) are accessible on this web site. Coordination: Delphine SIX. http://www-lgge.ujf-grenoble.fr/ServiceObs/index.htm.
International : this site is inserted in the WGMS network. Annual mass balance and snout position are delivered in this data base.
Measurement Methods Used
UNESCO
GTN-G/WGMS
Data Information
Are the data quality controlled? yes
How are the data accessible? HTTP (web)
Data availability (may depend on the variable measured): delayed more than one year
Publications
Six, D., Vincent C.2014. Sensitivity of mass balance and equilibrium-line altitude to climate change in the French Alps, Journal of Glaciology, 60(223)
Hingray, B., Dedieu, J.P., Lebel, T., Obled, C., Sicart, J.E., Six, D., et al. (2012). Glaciological and hydrometeorological observations in mountainous areas: Some current issues and perspectives. Houille Blanche-Revue Internationale de l’Eau, (2), 5–11.
Vincent, C., Soruco, A., Six, D., & Le Meur, E. (2009). Glacier thickening and decay analysis from 50 years of glaciological observations performed on Glacier d'Argentiere, Mont Blanc area, France. Ann. Glaciol., 50(50), 73–79.
Measurements
The measurements made at Argentiere Glacier are listed in the following tables. (Note: If End Year is blank, measurements are ongoing.)
Cryosphere Measurements
Element
Variable
Start Year
End Year
Frequency
Glacier
Annual mass balance
1975
Continuous
Glacier
Area
1905
Sporadic
Glacier
Winter mass balance
1994
Continuous
Glacier
Velocity
1975
Continuous
Glacier
Surface topography
1905
Sporadic
Atmosphere Measurements
Element
Variable
Start Year
End Year
Frequency
Met
Air temperature
2006
Continuous
Met
Humidity/vapour pressure
2006
Continuous
Met
Wind speed and direction
2006
Continuous
Radiation
Downwelling shortwave
2006
Continuous
Radiation
Upwelling shortwave
2006
Continuous
Radiation
Downwelling longwave
2006
Continuous
Radiation
Upwelling longwave
2006
Continuous
Measurement Notes and Other Measurements
Category
Description or List
Glacier
Snout position : since 1883, fragmented data (continous since 1980)
Annual mass balances are continuously measured every year since 1975, winter and summer mass balances since 1994. Snout position is determined since 1883 but data are fragmented between 1883 and 1980. Thickness variation are continously determined since 1969 along 5 transverse profils. Ice velocities are also determined along these profils since 1975.