Event Type
Conferences and Workshops

Worldwide longest glacier mass balance series 1914-2014

Event Dates
2014-08-22 - 2014-08-24
Location
Zurich, Switzerland

The longest climatological glacier mass balance series is 100 years old. Since 1914 the gain in winter snow, and the summer melt are measured twice a year on Claridenfirn, Swiss Alps. This unique and detailed mass balance series was initiated by Greenland pioneer Alfred de Quervain, among others, and continued for many year by Dr. Robert Billwiler, director of the Swiss Meteorological Office.

Symposium at ETH Zurich with scientific talks emphasizing the importance of the data series for different scientific studies (22 August). Speakers include:

  • Prof. em. Atsumu Ohmura, ETH Zürich
  • Prof. Ed Waddington, Univ. Washington, USA
  • Prof. Regine Hock, Univ. Alaska, USA
  • Dr. Matthias Huss, ETH Zürich
  • Prof. Martin Funk, ETH Zürich
  • Dr. Mischa Croci-Maspoli MeteoSchweiz
  • Giovanni Kappenberger, ex MeteoSchweiz

Most presentations of the symposium will be given in English.

Excursion to Claridenfirn glacier (23-24 August):

  • Celebration and overnight stay in Claridenhütte (Swiss Alpine Club hut)
  • Visit of the sites on the glacier

Participation in the symposium is free of charge. The costs for lodging and dinner in Clariden hut (ca. CHF 60) and travel are paid directly by the participant.

The Clariden hut provides dinner, breakfast, and bunk beds with covers. It is advised to bring a thin silk sleeping bag.The Clariden hut is located next to the glacier, and is a 3-4 hour mountain hike on marked trails.

Equipment: Required are mountain boots, warm and rain-proof clothes, hat, mittens. For the excursion on the glacier a climbing harness, crampons and an ice ax are required.