Objectif To identify and model the most important factors leading to mesoscale variability of the mass balance field on ice caps. A comprehensive study of the effect of topographic barriers on glacier mass balance and its sensitivity to climate change will be carried out by field measuements and modelling work. As targets have been selected Vatnaj-kull (Iceland) and the Antarctic Peninsula. The field work has two major components which are mass balance measurements (by stake measurements and snow pits on Vatnajvkull, the major ice cap on Iceland, characteristic length scale 100 km, and by snow-level sensors and shallow cores in the Antarctic Peninsula) and detailed meteorological measurements including the full energy balance programme. Albedo measurements of the ice cape from satellite (AVHRR, Landsat images) for a complete melt season will complete the programme. An attempt will be made to improve passive microwave satellite retrievals of annual accumulation rates by incorporating the output of snow models into the retrieval and by trying to develop a radiative transfer model for microwave radiation within the snow pack. Satellite data will be compared with point measurements from the ground stations and be used to validate albedo patterns generated by the mass balance model. An energy balance model will be constructed for the entire ice cap, calibrated with results from the field work to generate glacier mass balance and to study its sensitivity to climate change. The UK operational GCM will be used in limited area mode to investigate the effects of the topography on the Antarctic Peninsula on the distribution of precipitation and temperature. Model data will be verified against passive microwave brightness temperatures from SSM/I. Champ scientifique engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringsatellite technologynatural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyplanetary sciencesplanetary geologyengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsnatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesclimatologyclimatic changes Programme(s) FP4-ENV 2C - Specific programme of research and technological development in the field of environment and climate, 1994-1998 Thème(s) 010101 - Basic processes of the climate system Appel à propositions Data not available Régime de financement CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinateur UTRECHT UNIVERSITY Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse 5,Princetonplein 5 3584 CC UTRECHT Pays-Bas Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée Participants (3) Trier par ordre alphabétique Trier par contribution de l’UE Tout développer Tout réduire LEOPOLD-FRANZENS-UNIVERSITAET INNSBRUCK Autriche Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse 52,Innrain 52 6020 INNSBRUCK Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL Royaume-Uni Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse Madingley Road, High Cross CB3 0ET CAMBRIDGE Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée University of Iceland Islande Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse 5,Dunhagi 0107 Reykjavik Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée