tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39292430707620365762024-02-07T03:11:05.935-05:00Kilimanjaro Climate & GlaciersUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger168125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3929243070762036576.post-10658824190165325392023-11-11T10:27:00.006-05:002023-11-17T10:02:09.739-05:00October fieldwork!<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We were back on the glaciers for fieldwork in October! As previously reported (<a href="http://kiboice.blogspot.com/2023/08/september-fieldwork.html" target="_blank">here</a>), the pandemic and logistical issues prevented us from visiting since February 2020, and although 'automated', our weather stations on the ice are not self-maintaining. Over the course of the ensuing three years, problems and damage occurred - so one of our objectives last month was to remove weather instrumentation and mass balance stakes. With tremendous help from the porters and staff of Summit Expeditions (<a href="https://www.nomadicexperience.com/" target="_blank">SENE</a>), we were successful. The next step is examining data we recovered, and evaluating options to continue measurements with new instrumentation!<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Doug Hardy (UMass), Mike Winkler (GeoSphere Austria), and Emily Collier (Univ. Innsbruck). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Click on any image to enlarge:</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnOFhWV5e_UiKQv6DbIcM3AaA94kmkLl2L0TPlPkPxs-bpnjI4VdHch7AS5SnGlgcQFgaTrLqsXaSj3qV2A17ylf9eZpjyZrVJtUobJFotRPWpMdC4SOtuQPxMBm3vvMG4N9qustFvvBk3tiHtx598oYKWQ7WXJtBrqKe9L2e9IGNHK0NlPIdmIpcjQ4/s2000/1-kibo23-233812.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1342" data-original-width="2000" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnOFhWV5e_UiKQv6DbIcM3AaA94kmkLl2L0TPlPkPxs-bpnjI4VdHch7AS5SnGlgcQFgaTrLqsXaSj3qV2A17ylf9eZpjyZrVJtUobJFotRPWpMdC4SOtuQPxMBm3vvMG4N9qustFvvBk3tiHtx598oYKWQ7WXJtBrqKe9L2e9IGNHK0NlPIdmIpcjQ4/w400-h269/1-kibo23-233812.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Fig. 1 (above): Kibo and 5,000 meters of relief, from Moshi. Preparing to head up again was very exciting, first time in over 3 years!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0g8xyrVQCnyGqT9abewn9RLZICDvlBfkOfOh1Zi9ZicT57lRKZFMpvq0DzmPCvT_qT28hpjFP40akcKoSe2y6qxouF8XBWTghVl8C7U-zJIjCz1zIXluCdYIjF0ANc281KZjL5RBubsEKbA33Lqsg3tofzLfkfdIf_8nItoxyB_r0xDEnNFhLGkMoq1g/s2000/2-kibo23-09.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0g8xyrVQCnyGqT9abewn9RLZICDvlBfkOfOh1Zi9ZicT57lRKZFMpvq0DzmPCvT_qT28hpjFP40akcKoSe2y6qxouF8XBWTghVl8C7U-zJIjCz1zIXluCdYIjF0ANc281KZjL5RBubsEKbA33Lqsg3tofzLfkfdIf_8nItoxyB_r0xDEnNFhLGkMoq1g/w400-h300/2-kibo23-09.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Fig. 2 (above): Our first task, led by Emily and her newly-funded research, was exploring the Kilimanjaro Mountain Club archives - in search of historical observations pertaining to the impacts of Tropical Cyclones on Kilimanjaro precipitation.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MEluUOkFDgvcyv4d5Ur4SO6uhlWUfzwKByS3mI8TRCbhCpNE_Rat1lShqs6ertLg4_PVLoydadvyLChq5GrtXpCYp0tPNW19M_3pHRrWno8SuzxQuamXGn4y-vvYP68aL1vhaEUWVQccIHNmD9qH_zUCnjpnRkc6OZ3SL6bW8Alm_sUMqrlfN-yrRhI/s2000/3-kibo23-233819.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="2000" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MEluUOkFDgvcyv4d5Ur4SO6uhlWUfzwKByS3mI8TRCbhCpNE_Rat1lShqs6ertLg4_PVLoydadvyLChq5GrtXpCYp0tPNW19M_3pHRrWno8SuzxQuamXGn4y-vvYP68aL1vhaEUWVQccIHNmD9qH_zUCnjpnRkc6OZ3SL6bW8Alm_sUMqrlfN-yrRhI/w400-h293/3-kibo23-233819.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Fig. 3 (above): Morning of day two, a favorite view on the Umbwe Trail. These southern slopes were once covered by the Southern Icefield. Only fragments remain today, including sections of the Kersten Glacier (center). <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgWVdTcoK_glIZlWmGZS6bP4-kV06sg_YfucE-IHlCtK-GS6PIeyIw5E3xVrRhjaOIl1JHpb_655_uowgyY1_OQBHMTlbyDO-7VEcVctF6jJcy5vMVaVl9KTvSVzGmkX5S8hpsV6YgmBJAzRho4Lez4xghQYNSItZWqusoAZ0e5UO5pC5m8QmPjDkpcI/s2000/4-kibo23-09.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1474" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgWVdTcoK_glIZlWmGZS6bP4-kV06sg_YfucE-IHlCtK-GS6PIeyIw5E3xVrRhjaOIl1JHpb_655_uowgyY1_OQBHMTlbyDO-7VEcVctF6jJcy5vMVaVl9KTvSVzGmkX5S8hpsV6YgmBJAzRho4Lez4xghQYNSItZWqusoAZ0e5UO5pC5m8QmPjDkpcI/w295-h400/4-kibo23-09.jpg" width="295" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Fig. 4 (above): Umbwe route passes through a recently-burned area below Barranco Camp, one of several new fire scars seen on this trip. <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZPEBMi8cVynJcLNxWnB2BQypTQc2HxdI2qYWEZvaitM4459CNWzEFf1iCdhvEbc_D8-b1UaPX4aGCcDotke0WYWYC7eUIyxK5aCzoPbpz83v39jjyWYJBNe5x7zLw0uDuiLOh7dMfjCtWNh0IYKxqpbhFIemiG44I38T75LlQUi35MV76zN7WYxzBeE/s2000/5-kibo23-233840.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZPEBMi8cVynJcLNxWnB2BQypTQc2HxdI2qYWEZvaitM4459CNWzEFf1iCdhvEbc_D8-b1UaPX4aGCcDotke0WYWYC7eUIyxK5aCzoPbpz83v39jjyWYJBNe5x7zLw0uDuiLOh7dMfjCtWNh0IYKxqpbhFIemiG44I38T75LlQUi35MV76zN7WYxzBeE/w400-h266/5-kibo23-233840.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Fig. 5 (above): Diamond Glacier, Breach Icicle, and fragments of the Balletto Glacier. The icicle is larger than in 2020* due to meltwater drainage from above. Also note extensive rockfall onto the Balletto. (*2020 image <a href="http://kiboice.blogspot.com/2020/09/what-will-gadd-learned-on-top-of.html" target="_blank">here</a>.) <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJk8DNN9svBakxDkcaHBdpKpgMdl6w4qoYl2ruNns2i7057xss1bix6pUInFpnxD0n06oAqxMS0iqm7_V5Dl5opP185m002krdMwS74JlKOFeQNVpsK_kE_mix0CSbIf0CshpJJQ6k5LyQ7h020hKVuZBP_30purog1vPKQCbGrq5iNe6kIcVo_dZbBIo/s2000/6-kibo23-233971.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJk8DNN9svBakxDkcaHBdpKpgMdl6w4qoYl2ruNns2i7057xss1bix6pUInFpnxD0n06oAqxMS0iqm7_V5Dl5opP185m002krdMwS74JlKOFeQNVpsK_kE_mix0CSbIf0CshpJJQ6k5LyQ7h020hKVuZBP_30purog1vPKQCbGrq5iNe6kIcVo_dZbBIo/w400-h266/6-kibo23-233971.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Fig. 6 (above): Mike and Emily above Karanga Camp. Kersten Glacier remnants are visible above Mike, and the Rebmann Glacier is above Emily; between them is the vanishingly meager Decken Glacier ice. <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMd6J103Tr3aCas0AwSUAKEy4z31ukJ0Tt0wnnMiQA51AmZJUfATGbcmXDyHQOCBkZ-Hlb8OS8MMSf2WZWYW2KTA-9sL07Lk6PcUCwVWHxoPKYrDm9u8aYXodxZv8T_Mvcj6ZujLGSSWGdXFOOT2zYX-wQ1VcrEwJ_xOsEYquWNQhBUEXB5ZDOaTYC_Vc/s2000/7-kibo23-233981.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMd6J103Tr3aCas0AwSUAKEy4z31ukJ0Tt0wnnMiQA51AmZJUfATGbcmXDyHQOCBkZ-Hlb8OS8MMSf2WZWYW2KTA-9sL07Lk6PcUCwVWHxoPKYrDm9u8aYXodxZv8T_Mvcj6ZujLGSSWGdXFOOT2zYX-wQ1VcrEwJ_xOsEYquWNQhBUEXB5ZDOaTYC_Vc/w400-h266/7-kibo23-233981.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Fig. 7 (above): Team member Mathayo Melio, preparing fresh greens (Kale) at Barafu Camp. <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0jYj188gIxNn6yhrEmug7G86Oc5h6w9BJnFYvB3a_ZpEseg1NTgvmBMAfNYaeFI1x4G5vDaFK3JJGlPQe-AYXNLDGWcc5pDgqHeHBidlW1f0uYqoArDUGvl_sMliJ1FqiO1NwId6XrQ9iqOdIQiaKc6zyT6Ki1y8N5xpyRJHkxrkmAQTaI6Sso0PUO0/s2000/8-kibo23-233994.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0jYj188gIxNn6yhrEmug7G86Oc5h6w9BJnFYvB3a_ZpEseg1NTgvmBMAfNYaeFI1x4G5vDaFK3JJGlPQe-AYXNLDGWcc5pDgqHeHBidlW1f0uYqoArDUGvl_sMliJ1FqiO1NwId6XrQ9iqOdIQiaKc6zyT6Ki1y8N5xpyRJHkxrkmAQTaI6Sso0PUO0/w400-h266/8-kibo23-233994.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Fig. 8 (above): Late afternoon at Barafu, where multiple helicopter pickups are now occurring daily - typically to expedite the descent of wealthy clients. <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAUBrrhc2tAH2xaZxVQ-_1CPFSfgDM2bmTthFK5A2TQQdUGrbyGUrfrStBFhvFLea8Mi_zzp08dG-Srux4dOryHX8CtqfvCMvId3lwfkgANRBQcexZKZUtLclA_J6cTu7t-lkMmd3nq7IJGATv7_xJ2hK-6e4NiNoQFetFhMsTfp-RiAJuf7OyfK1Mys/s2000/9-kibo23-234023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1406" data-original-width="2000" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAUBrrhc2tAH2xaZxVQ-_1CPFSfgDM2bmTthFK5A2TQQdUGrbyGUrfrStBFhvFLea8Mi_zzp08dG-Srux4dOryHX8CtqfvCMvId3lwfkgANRBQcexZKZUtLclA_J6cTu7t-lkMmd3nq7IJGATv7_xJ2hK-6e4NiNoQFetFhMsTfp-RiAJuf7OyfK1Mys/w400-h281/9-kibo23-234023.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Fig. 9 (above): Wishful thinking. Simon is testing whether he can transmit a message directly from his brain through this cable. Kilimanjaro Park authorities are testing whether they can string fiber optic cable along the trails for tourists to post on Instagram. We had no success with either. Increasing rockfall and debris flows on the mountain could make unprotected fiber maintenance difficult... <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSqT487eSiG1LliCmavMB3kWP9WLcCJ0Ugu98xe0xoMITNswA7NHZNdZtRdQ9Lu3PJ1jh2TOOnXoP33YLiS3PZRc1eibv1pPiQJ5Qw_WCbNEry3ngVX5ZhrysInT6HjNT9u4dCixZKeqHmByv7Tk5RHA0T7d7PCf08xVYZYaJq9UDcKkz_UC-6ijTYyo/s2000/10-kibo23-10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSqT487eSiG1LliCmavMB3kWP9WLcCJ0Ugu98xe0xoMITNswA7NHZNdZtRdQ9Lu3PJ1jh2TOOnXoP33YLiS3PZRc1eibv1pPiQJ5Qw_WCbNEry3ngVX5ZhrysInT6HjNT9u4dCixZKeqHmByv7Tk5RHA0T7d7PCf08xVYZYaJq9UDcKkz_UC-6ijTYyo/w400-h300/10-kibo23-10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Fig. 10 (above): Riming on the Uhuru sign, as the weather clears. Northern Icefield in the distance. <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjitAmD8jbL-PmeZPMdaS-3yntVhCchlkBMnhvi6atUL5vY_ExWum9IASlXdFO-6N3u9Rl1NMD56kALVM5UIR5XGnlY2ORkaFYKnLOFRa4c3t6Ibm1bCue3u5nSR-F4h61SGzeNGWHDM10vsE2ojpoNSbvM8OU8oBh8fUIKIdm31-smS6jlt2cdPxJWyeg/s2000/11-kibo23-.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="2000" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjitAmD8jbL-PmeZPMdaS-3yntVhCchlkBMnhvi6atUL5vY_ExWum9IASlXdFO-6N3u9Rl1NMD56kALVM5UIR5XGnlY2ORkaFYKnLOFRa4c3t6Ibm1bCue3u5nSR-F4h61SGzeNGWHDM10vsE2ojpoNSbvM8OU8oBh8fUIKIdm31-smS6jlt2cdPxJWyeg/w400-h230/11-kibo23-.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Fig. 11 (above): Furtwängler Glacier from above. Since 2020 the area has decreased by seventy percent (yes, in 3 yearss); the glacier's demise is imminent. <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uZEa9urfOkjTu2ddShwc6fsUK4hQLvmNGjv_R1QrrVpSR-NZb4UOVsVfeCBGlR3d3WKhQYNSui1LO7quzRQJxE59VLIKPWFFrcwmRm8I27_JYCoyjT5qLq-O0xz0r1GC03hVfzaL6aJ2R62Tor22D6vM7FV8IHP3kYHV_hAFeea-4xqteeBEjmqfLjw/s2000/12-kibo23-2017.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="307" data-original-width="2000" height="61" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uZEa9urfOkjTu2ddShwc6fsUK4hQLvmNGjv_R1QrrVpSR-NZb4UOVsVfeCBGlR3d3WKhQYNSui1LO7quzRQJxE59VLIKPWFFrcwmRm8I27_JYCoyjT5qLq-O0xz0r1GC03hVfzaL6aJ2R62Tor22D6vM7FV8IHP3kYHV_hAFeea-4xqteeBEjmqfLjw/w400-h61/12-kibo23-2017.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Fig. 12 (above): Upper Kersten Glacier, <b>October 2017</b>; find the weather station. Zoom in, as this is a panorama. Then find the relatively thick, clean stratum and compare it's position to that in 2023 (next image). <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQvRqxPZGR6KcvYTPeQdQIR-gasuUAQeZzdMJ0x-9KqM6C9qkglsFABXir8tqYi5OsxMzqo9dXEED5gtQVp00pE2eLiUHgjO0KtsaSPm0hO0cGhIH9JWEx1Uhen1bxmb2hahCKKQ3J-vAE3UQcTC00IL12ReMPx_Wq2THNSfh4hOOnIHr2sF7bQcthAQ/s2000/13-kibo23-.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQvRqxPZGR6KcvYTPeQdQIR-gasuUAQeZzdMJ0x-9KqM6C9qkglsFABXir8tqYi5OsxMzqo9dXEED5gtQVp00pE2eLiUHgjO0KtsaSPm0hO0cGhIH9JWEx1Uhen1bxmb2hahCKKQ3J-vAE3UQcTC00IL12ReMPx_Wq2THNSfh4hOOnIHr2sF7bQcthAQ/w400-h300/13-kibo23-.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Fig. 13 (above): Kersten Glacier upper margin, where thinning and lateral retreat continue. Where is the weather station? Occasional collapses of the wall and a marginal meltwater lake has been noted for 20+ years. However, compare the thick, clean ice layer position here with that 2017 (prior image) or <a href="http://kiboice.blogspot.com/2015/12/kersten-glacier-margin.html" target="_blank">in 2014</a>, 9 years ago (with Will Gadd for scale). <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJNYE5l070YZK6MYl5svY0sWeDLruXDTG7zXiHsTiFDv2f8-xzm2C3DDQQmoQftVtd60ORVxXWuCNBeO4EXlK7iAhIn-_g_GZ7_S5WLdXnVaapa-E3fkDV0vJEU-jHFfEq-rUEK3DsT_omAD5v7ZqP7Ek9ehblWQnOxlZm_5XAQu1NI2pymxZPmAitqY/s2000/14-kibo23-10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJNYE5l070YZK6MYl5svY0sWeDLruXDTG7zXiHsTiFDv2f8-xzm2C3DDQQmoQftVtd60ORVxXWuCNBeO4EXlK7iAhIn-_g_GZ7_S5WLdXnVaapa-E3fkDV0vJEU-jHFfEq-rUEK3DsT_omAD5v7ZqP7Ek9ehblWQnOxlZm_5XAQu1NI2pymxZPmAitqY/w300-h400/14-kibo23-10.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Fig. 14 (above): Mike investigating ice blocks where the Kersten Glacier margin most-recently collapsed. Find the weather station (we couldn't either). <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia50gKIpVJ8EwxbPSZ1QF1Q1JQZA74aorC83YPMgIghvLxONobHtwXRujI5KJjBij-jCeXzhwPrzaF-eA2xojPrB61iMOd3GDCbLtxXmGI9H_SlrtMEPtOoLtUigeolFn1iw2h-yyMAWFpZsv2JtuaaBEfAnFpFDM7s2SrztG-SVXt5eD-BZLLrGRw2AE/s2000/15-kibo23-234034.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="2000" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia50gKIpVJ8EwxbPSZ1QF1Q1JQZA74aorC83YPMgIghvLxONobHtwXRujI5KJjBij-jCeXzhwPrzaF-eA2xojPrB61iMOd3GDCbLtxXmGI9H_SlrtMEPtOoLtUigeolFn1iw2h-yyMAWFpZsv2JtuaaBEfAnFpFDM7s2SrztG-SVXt5eD-BZLLrGRw2AE/w400-h150/15-kibo23-234034.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Fig. 15 (above): The largest remaining fragments of the former Eastern Icefield. The right-hand block is featured in the <a href="https://www.redbull.com/int-en/films/the-last-ascent-will-gadds-return-to-kilimanjaro" target="_blank">Red Bull film</a>. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6xGp-b4bR9aj2R6q_AIzdZKev869RyiNs4f42HOzsK0SBm3P4W37e3N3yxDp5LpbUmLCBud8akjwyS4lQIraqltfW9XtmdBbMirVjzNA-_xW0GbrUkUzCbkhdD9BWHjxAJFqZolAiYes7UsZ-kU75gMXgms8URqyczZn5c8JXJYzEmpw1zE54NUQ4CE/s2000/16-kibo23-234041.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6xGp-b4bR9aj2R6q_AIzdZKev869RyiNs4f42HOzsK0SBm3P4W37e3N3yxDp5LpbUmLCBud8akjwyS4lQIraqltfW9XtmdBbMirVjzNA-_xW0GbrUkUzCbkhdD9BWHjxAJFqZolAiYes7UsZ-kU75gMXgms8URqyczZn5c8JXJYzEmpw1zE54NUQ4CE/w400-h266/16-kibo23-234041.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Fig. 16 (above): Northern Icefield margin, just west of camp. Note person for scale, just right of center - and the interesting basal stratigraphy. <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQ7R3LtdX-P0el0_iMk5wMX4OyILUxJPAjV0RgsWElYtrqfUQcaLRrAx4ds2SpeC17CaknVkJBqWWaZs1GCt1tCcozWhx3mQYUXWmKXh-ATxhmqg2WdfcSki6xFNb5TX5vVIf-BkBNfP9t88Hg5XqkIuDMFiYOtqVm8p0mqzi6nQ57GqtMjNoygwrHP0/s2000/17-kibo23-.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1327" data-original-width="2000" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQ7R3LtdX-P0el0_iMk5wMX4OyILUxJPAjV0RgsWElYtrqfUQcaLRrAx4ds2SpeC17CaknVkJBqWWaZs1GCt1tCcozWhx3mQYUXWmKXh-ATxhmqg2WdfcSki6xFNb5TX5vVIf-BkBNfP9t88Hg5XqkIuDMFiYOtqVm8p0mqzi6nQ57GqtMjNoygwrHP0/w400-h265/17-kibo23-.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Fig. 17 (above): Wonderful textures photo taken by Mike. <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSExWL1tyMMeFYKnxMIJJYe4KhPnBAmQeiuCH0GVESLlhq1atGEIWz4LusUqKL3RiYo-wMrh925eM-ksGTkFRPmMKbaktZv3jIpPIcW8b1Z2MCjQW5GeqkQJYkm9ruymT6b8QFixPfEucYr5UdjMHzhzyZB85_5fEo2guwOBgEdxymFvvhg8C9VMwyQHk/s2000/18-kibo23-234133.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSExWL1tyMMeFYKnxMIJJYe4KhPnBAmQeiuCH0GVESLlhq1atGEIWz4LusUqKL3RiYo-wMrh925eM-ksGTkFRPmMKbaktZv3jIpPIcW8b1Z2MCjQW5GeqkQJYkm9ruymT6b8QFixPfEucYr5UdjMHzhzyZB85_5fEo2guwOBgEdxymFvvhg8C9VMwyQHk/w400-h266/18-kibo23-234133.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Fig. 18 (above): Northern Icefield margin, looking west toward camp. Compare to this <a href="https://www.geo.umass.edu/climate/tanzania/NImargin.html" target="_blank">similar view</a> in February 2000. <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzsQvpAuhSG5qi1B4HTYLk3h7iijm5M25uPzVe9TyJ33M5IVAc3AlmSzi4IgDOx1k5Zra_X8mnSdlNGxKtr3xFFPdV3iq1OOQeioZLpCpGCyUCs2Xhe3MlSXdgkLukfhKzcIsrVRoXFoKpUkDBJDaNqqzwcJqXxyuljPNywHnSzh0gWwRKu7EBDta09wk/s2000/19-kibo23-234100.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzsQvpAuhSG5qi1B4HTYLk3h7iijm5M25uPzVe9TyJ33M5IVAc3AlmSzi4IgDOx1k5Zra_X8mnSdlNGxKtr3xFFPdV3iq1OOQeioZLpCpGCyUCs2Xhe3MlSXdgkLukfhKzcIsrVRoXFoKpUkDBJDaNqqzwcJqXxyuljPNywHnSzh0gWwRKu7EBDta09wk/w400-h266/19-kibo23-234100.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Fig. 19 (above): Northern Icefield again... but the northern margin. As evident here, in next image, and elsewhere - the ice is fracturing to a greater extent than previously seen. <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdOIXfr-RdKDJLCrBkuzKMDD0R1K1zMWyK4tW4qpLHW7jlRYqthy8sIlO65vQvKW7qQBhRNw5BZXwU-XGTc-ssy4Bjk-eX1jZP5LEaly3z6c9jT09ATyiBNYUOywYeyzmD4we-IVkcyDw-Og4QmMO6QC1wMpjGn0ITVXkrPUtQ7WIO6ZDu8mJHvAJDcU/s2000/20-kibo23-234152.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdOIXfr-RdKDJLCrBkuzKMDD0R1K1zMWyK4tW4qpLHW7jlRYqthy8sIlO65vQvKW7qQBhRNw5BZXwU-XGTc-ssy4Bjk-eX1jZP5LEaly3z6c9jT09ATyiBNYUOywYeyzmD4we-IVkcyDw-Og4QmMO6QC1wMpjGn0ITVXkrPUtQ7WIO6ZDu8mJHvAJDcU/w400-h266/20-kibo23-234152.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Fig. 20 (above): A fresh, curious collapse feature at the Northern Icefield margin. An ice layer associated with ponded and frozen supraglacial meltwater can be seen at the top of the fracture. These have been occasionally observed on Kibo's glaciers, always frozen at the surface. <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNO2XgW27wqi3hCXxtVBpa4bXZ9w_TlxpLF3hyphenhyphen6dnYLEnu-Gp_6ii7Jxf9NeOWPJvv1Y1xHoU-7v_aom4ZbtOv0ftZpHp95Hef-hH2PJ1ZfTfbfZOKKadn1NaYNhN0oC5GnecQrqpAiwA3CJpawRfbtBt1ngIYp8hH1kKKMVvThPyKRytOwVRNBBU7-8/s2000/21-kibo23-.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNO2XgW27wqi3hCXxtVBpa4bXZ9w_TlxpLF3hyphenhyphen6dnYLEnu-Gp_6ii7Jxf9NeOWPJvv1Y1xHoU-7v_aom4ZbtOv0ftZpHp95Hef-hH2PJ1ZfTfbfZOKKadn1NaYNhN0oC5GnecQrqpAiwA3CJpawRfbtBt1ngIYp8hH1kKKMVvThPyKRytOwVRNBBU7-8/w400-h300/21-kibo23-.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Fig. 21 (above): A portion of AWS being carried through penitentes on the Northern Icefield. These particularly-large penitentes made walking difficult! <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-y_-IQwfMwjK3AbjGRdaVg-YIunkx7yIYwUz14wtvpFgF8nWbmWL-8ll9R0t5WnkYhC9G59VzrV65KFqzgCirC8FlTZblUjCMWTi1TvsIPsJPdYRyS3WbnEYYooNb79LZPz3iczGOzTjhEPZOd0ztSttxkPtsc0hablKClbtXz2XAoe1GkKPHDa7UBo/s2000/22-kibo23-234064.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-y_-IQwfMwjK3AbjGRdaVg-YIunkx7yIYwUz14wtvpFgF8nWbmWL-8ll9R0t5WnkYhC9G59VzrV65KFqzgCirC8FlTZblUjCMWTi1TvsIPsJPdYRyS3WbnEYYooNb79LZPz3iczGOzTjhEPZOd0ztSttxkPtsc0hablKClbtXz2XAoe1GkKPHDa7UBo/w400-h266/22-kibo23-234064.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Fig. 22 (above): The AWS tower being carried back across the crater toward Uhuru Peak, 23 years after being brought up! <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TBEr0rCaShuzjaUNae8v6yLZyj8MSWS_fuLGzE6nNudceIlgDr5FFw3uJL_Ft4Co8inXat4ntlKSRMI8UCPOgcdRK3EgCATi6SagykoPANBa9mXL4yS0HiZWyqxzfpn7U8oC2f3Pd7vSvxgqwm6EIYIy8_Xf41BZGXkkL9VmkseL9VUvfdTnTOwTgWo/s2000/23-kibo23-.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TBEr0rCaShuzjaUNae8v6yLZyj8MSWS_fuLGzE6nNudceIlgDr5FFw3uJL_Ft4Co8inXat4ntlKSRMI8UCPOgcdRK3EgCATi6SagykoPANBa9mXL4yS0HiZWyqxzfpn7U8oC2f3Pd7vSvxgqwm6EIYIy8_Xf41BZGXkkL9VmkseL9VUvfdTnTOwTgWo/w400-h300/23-kibo23-.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Fig. 23 (above): Doug, Emily, and Simon - along with about 20 other team members - prepare for a tree-planting ceremony honoring climate research on the mountain. <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVX5TSXHyIBsf5nUfBlS9fSoLhXLU0FjW6aB9o-qKELQGO87fH_zbmvfq-mf22YQtJBKfSZAcU2ZFzQF9av8cbUDe_wmy9llYlNXk0q-3umC2LICbT227M9AUssMfg0FEJrvyQUXg6z3B2zYScj1WUt8QCY_gqNYvvm96hcCUb7lPA20_Oo_BGDbUrJhU/s2000/24-kibo23-.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVX5TSXHyIBsf5nUfBlS9fSoLhXLU0FjW6aB9o-qKELQGO87fH_zbmvfq-mf22YQtJBKfSZAcU2ZFzQF9av8cbUDe_wmy9llYlNXk0q-3umC2LICbT227M9AUssMfg0FEJrvyQUXg6z3B2zYScj1WUt8QCY_gqNYvvm96hcCUb7lPA20_Oo_BGDbUrJhU/w400-h300/24-kibo23-.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Fig. 24 (above): Final preparations for a feast celebrating safe and successful fieldwork! Much of this food was grown right on Simon's farm.</span><br /> <p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3929243070762036576.post-8398248889799716872023-10-12T09:30:00.006-04:002023-10-12T09:32:55.203-04:00 Kibo Weather Stations - 23 years later<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqFlnkcHEpt6K-gDYuwfhp8n6kDDSvyhU5h-pRB2geH2rW7vVzRDsO5xsFfJx7sH_gtWofK5_rS5S5TFqEMCKfyFrFz4LlfkqMX7UH7mTDOPAQXxC5bWrmgWpuSTP6u2ULZehsMUbBamw4HdA68b0GXE7VcsdSSS6SPQEtDTDg2ZaS-0EGuSoNn49N4c/s4692/86-kibo2013-9070.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3108" data-original-width="4692" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqFlnkcHEpt6K-gDYuwfhp8n6kDDSvyhU5h-pRB2geH2rW7vVzRDsO5xsFfJx7sH_gtWofK5_rS5S5TFqEMCKfyFrFz4LlfkqMX7UH7mTDOPAQXxC5bWrmgWpuSTP6u2ULZehsMUbBamw4HdA68b0GXE7VcsdSSS6SPQEtDTDg2ZaS-0EGuSoNn49N4c/w400-h265/86-kibo2013-9070.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><br />
Our team is just back from difficult-but-stimulating fieldwork on summit
glaciers, documenting Kibo's climate. Initial instrumentation at our
weather station was installed in February 2000, then gradually
supplemented and expanded. The configuration by 2013 is shown above.
After near-annual maintenance and observation visits through 2017, we
visited the stations for a <a href="https://www.redbull.com/int-en/will-gadd-climate-change-kilimanjaro" target="_blank">Red Bull film</a> in 2020 and then could not get
back during the pandemic. Fieldwork in 2022 was foiled by bureaucratic
miscommunication. By September of 2023, negative mass balance resulted
in tipping and damage of equipment - the extent of which will soon be
revealed by analysis of recorded data.<br />
<br />
All the hardware, instrumentation, and ablation stakes have now been
removed from the mountain and the National Park. As will be detailed in
subsequent posts here, this was accomplished despite delays in
departure, followed by high winds and riming precipitation. R</span><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">emoving everything required
multiple trips to the summit by our accompanying crew, as well as an additional 19
porters to move equipment down the mountain.<br />
</span><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><br />
We dedicate our 2023 mission to the hundreds of porters who have been
essential to the success of this research since February 2000. They did
the hard work transporting everything up - and then down - 5,000 meters
of elevation, keeping us cheerful (most of the time) and productive.
Perhaps most impressively, they were integral to a perfect safety record
through the entire study. On this latest trip, we crossed paths with
numerous porters from past trips, and spent time with one who was along
on trip #1 back in February 2000; today he continues working as a
respected mountain and safari guide. Also this month, one porter
introduced himself as the son of a favorite porter, not yet born when
his dad started helping. <i>Asante sana</i> to all the porters, guides, cooks, drivers, and support staff who have been involved - from <a href="https://keys-hotel-tours.com/" target="_blank">Keys Hotel</a>, <a href="https://www.maranguhotel.com/" target="_blank">Marangu Hotel</a>, and since 2006, <a href="https://www.nomadicexperience.com/" target="_blank">Summit Expeditions and Nomadic Experience</a> (SENE).<br />
<br />
2023 team: Doug Hardy (UMass), Mike Winkler (GeoSphere Austria), and Emily Collier (Univ. Innsbruck)
<br />
</span><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3929243070762036576.post-48252562329236173422023-08-21T13:32:00.052-04:002023-08-21T19:57:53.371-04:00September fieldwork!<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUffYaR-pcprI3uu1q4SPVYBq3umY8-Nr6zz5X-ztwqWwrB-KNatbgjfhL7xMYOjzaS_AgDnl-aY_0qYrwagMN6MHS_HSIKINnBDAv0yvZ9f6j4-_AN-cPCkHkhEZrg9h84r7jSq1vyd85by7KYOT748Njfsg9gG81hMIZ0r77WFshRIhFjmgksKTBII/s4000/S-2_kibo_27july2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3249" data-original-width="4000" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUffYaR-pcprI3uu1q4SPVYBq3umY8-Nr6zz5X-ztwqWwrB-KNatbgjfhL7xMYOjzaS_AgDnl-aY_0qYrwagMN6MHS_HSIKINnBDAv0yvZ9f6j4-_AN-cPCkHkhEZrg9h84r7jSq1vyd85by7KYOT748Njfsg9gG81hMIZ0r77WFshRIhFjmgksKTBII/w400-h325/S-2_kibo_27july2023.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">With great anticipation, I'm
planning to be back on Kibo's glaciers next month. After 17 years of
frequent observations and measurements, circumstances beyond my control
have foiled research efforts in recent years. <i>Never take high-elevation glacier fieldwork in National Parks for granted!</i>
Chief among the issues were a major storm (<a href="http://kiboice.blogspot.com/2018/11/wild-weather-on-mountain_7.html" target="_blank">October 2018</a>), postponement
of two consecutive collaborative trips (July & December 2019), a
collaborative-and-fun glacier visit with limited time and deep snow</span><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">
(<a href="https://www.redbull.com/int-en/will-gadd-climate-change-kilimanjaro" target="_blank">February 2020</a>), the pandemic (2 years), and most recently - failure to get above
2200 m due to logistical/permitting difficulties (September 2022).
Phew... I'm ready to get back up there!<br />
<br />
E</span><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">xtensive fieldwork and
AWS service was conducted in <a href="http://kiboice.blogspot.com/2017/10/at-summit-days-92-96-in-crater.html" target="_blank">October 2017</a>, including repairs at the
station and documenting changes to summit glaciers. Accompanying us on
this trip - to the Roof of Africa - was Dr. Ladislaus Chang'a, currently
the Acting Director of <a href="https://www.meteo.go.tz/" target="_blank">Tanzanian Meteorological Authority</a>.<br />
<br />
Conditions are currently very dry at the summit. Meager high-elevation
precipitation during the 2023 long rains (March-May) resulted in no
snow accumulation within the caldera as the dry season began in June. By
then, any snowcover remaining on glacier surfaces was continuing to thin, although without telemetry or observations, recent changes in
surface mass balance remain speculative. Through June, July, and August,
isolated patches of snow on Kibo's flanks have been ablating, as shown
in the timelapse below - from very little, to almost none!<br />
<br />
During this next visit, extensive glacier photography will help us
better understand changes at the <a href="https://www.geo.umass.edu/climate/tanzania/retreat.html" target="_blank">Northern Icefield</a> (compare with image above). Lesser
Penck Glacier (compare with image below), <a href="https://www.geo.umass.edu/climate/tanzania/furtwangler.html" target="_blank">Furtwängler Glacier</a> (compare with image above), and
what remains of the Southern Icefield (compare with image below). Glacier images from this October will
be posted here after fieldwork.<br />
<br />
September and October fieldwork will have two objectives. The first task
will be to recover AWS data from the station, extending the weather
record which began over 23 years ago. These data are being stored in memory
on-site, even if power to the station has been lost. In addition, the
weather stations and ablation stakes (photo below) will be removed from
the mountain. Both stations tipped over last year, ending the interval
of high-quality measurements. Continuing a trustworthy climate record
would require replacing instruments and electronics, along with sufficient
funding and dedicated personnel willing to perform regular inspections and
service.<br />
<br />
Stay tuned for updates!</span><p></p><p><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CO9WmKCAnGBRKsWl1F1-6u0fVDJ08BoeQh3l-VxONLN5h46CPdlVbdmz0xRWykinKoEwX22PN0HqdMJLXMkLs9KCTZiE63UwOj4QMfWEDjrbV8i3MTkejz_huslRB-oU9MS4J4ZdOprV3-tEHoDh2FrtzuKwIzuvbBovhd6pu7fTfhrt8nnWYrLyJIY/s512/S2L1C-377283642337-timelapse.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CO9WmKCAnGBRKsWl1F1-6u0fVDJ08BoeQh3l-VxONLN5h46CPdlVbdmz0xRWykinKoEwX22PN0HqdMJLXMkLs9KCTZiE63UwOj4QMfWEDjrbV8i3MTkejz_huslRB-oU9MS4J4ZdOprV3-tEHoDh2FrtzuKwIzuvbBovhd6pu7fTfhrt8nnWYrLyJIY/w400-h400/S2L1C-377283642337-timelapse.gif" width="400" /></a></span></div><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2L4wikPgN6oR79a3Oib0BN9mOONHjH0BG4IdYW9s2NgdrIMB0UpcO50N5JrUuk4yUP3Z94-2CV8bwf9UqklGhs2BrnjsZ8SnqhhTg903zzeZ_KaODgzh2nyTlyGXK8L2qxKyxxrQtQzSFwjyzWcTZmICGD99wmbIVN9DUDw9sEXkq0VVdqVRwAd1Ugyg/s3178/AWS_Kibo-NIF_Hardy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3178" data-original-width="2185" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2L4wikPgN6oR79a3Oib0BN9mOONHjH0BG4IdYW9s2NgdrIMB0UpcO50N5JrUuk4yUP3Z94-2CV8bwf9UqklGhs2BrnjsZ8SnqhhTg903zzeZ_KaODgzh2nyTlyGXK8L2qxKyxxrQtQzSFwjyzWcTZmICGD99wmbIVN9DUDw9sEXkq0VVdqVRwAd1Ugyg/w275-h400/AWS_Kibo-NIF_Hardy.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Icefield weather stations, and adjacent stakes to measure ablation</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizaQnaFQ-1Z3bg8OvTtcDeRGnKo9jTSdVQTZRVbcB0DuZaJXi_6kJjX6rGJhNo638NHxTMgQs2H1C9f5adyYw4S9URsqYxHLOqEdppo5yWd2CzMLVdjj6i0XohsRnU3X1MQw5ylzBsvLo83V9MHy1ZGoDSH-7qcAI3iV0O-QtWL2FpuzMSw0eKKDoVY9c/s10781/penck_30-08.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="10781" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizaQnaFQ-1Z3bg8OvTtcDeRGnKo9jTSdVQTZRVbcB0DuZaJXi_6kJjX6rGJhNo638NHxTMgQs2H1C9f5adyYw4S9URsqYxHLOqEdppo5yWd2CzMLVdjj6i0XohsRnU3X1MQw5ylzBsvLo83V9MHy1ZGoDSH-7qcAI3iV0O-QtWL2FpuzMSw0eKKDoVY9c/w640-h78/penck_30-08.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesser Penck Glacier extent, 1930 to 2008 - continuously shrinking<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrC9c7cisJZ8tLIn3U3uvSzH6zN_D7cvS6ck01MLCyXloAX-Q_MeGqC88Rgc_MhAUrn9lGvw7XhscIUeuyH9luVt8N1t6AiQit3P2cMTiEUMElbmhQfFNXx97P_FAxoVZTC4aP3UopXR2N417Nozubm4a7rGdkDw4reQVzTQHDYvfT9hx40swNUoxaojM/s1715/SIF%202003.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1715" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrC9c7cisJZ8tLIn3U3uvSzH6zN_D7cvS6ck01MLCyXloAX-Q_MeGqC88Rgc_MhAUrn9lGvw7XhscIUeuyH9luVt8N1t6AiQit3P2cMTiEUMElbmhQfFNXx97P_FAxoVZTC4aP3UopXR2N417Nozubm4a7rGdkDw4reQVzTQHDYvfT9hx40swNUoxaojM/w400-h249/SIF%202003.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Icefield, 2003 (GoogleEarth image)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0W8HX+PM Gilman's Point, Tanzania-3.0706283 37.3491879-3.0877697197802343 37.332021762304684 -3.0534868802197659 37.366354037695309tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3929243070762036576.post-60219549228936507732022-10-07T21:28:00.005-04:002022-10-07T21:29:48.422-04:00Summit without snow<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Kibo's summit is currently snow-free, towards the end of the dry season. The two images below from the ESA Sentinel-2 satellite show virtually no snow on the mountain - the typical situation at this time of year. Back in 1889 on his first ascent, Hans Meyer observed that "in October, when all the snowfields had disappeared, there was likewise comparatively little snow to be met with on the ice-cap". This was 133 years ago! These recent images below show clouds over the west and southwest flanks of Kibo, but other white areas are glacier ice.</span><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXpDX8aEKqPrI9-2mFWoW9eE-7qYm7BPwIKRGdHqFbefjUbJ-y_0ubmaDh2AM9gU5UtIqg0Wojjlno-aRNQSppavb2cCp1o6I-pwLhsK4RNlmybm0s5T6n-mWS5TLOoUhP8OfogRGzHELix8yeEPLMenQa6YEhijl8vVhc_VfdOFcj2B4vna1rKJ9l/s2000/S2_north-glaciers_5oct2022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="2000" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXpDX8aEKqPrI9-2mFWoW9eE-7qYm7BPwIKRGdHqFbefjUbJ-y_0ubmaDh2AM9gU5UtIqg0Wojjlno-aRNQSppavb2cCp1o6I-pwLhsK4RNlmybm0s5T6n-mWS5TLOoUhP8OfogRGzHELix8yeEPLMenQa6YEhijl8vVhc_VfdOFcj2B4vna1rKJ9l/w400-h241/S2_north-glaciers_5oct2022.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYA4Z3FrUdTgNzQWDnFGdIQr6k9WyX7dTTF1QsTWegHDmxeBI3GqSusoQgIWVg79_ys0Wa_PxlkjRlaeRvCNJg6Cko-tDj4zi0WwUzuORDNNvD8BN-motrC4aVQo2brShfGl1Zbu--f2vUh_C7IA2aJQxHnDVNlDNK95nyxtp2gd0Rk8pSD9TZo_o/s3000/S2_south-glaciers_5oct2022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2487" data-original-width="3000" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYA4Z3FrUdTgNzQWDnFGdIQr6k9WyX7dTTF1QsTWegHDmxeBI3GqSusoQgIWVg79_ys0Wa_PxlkjRlaeRvCNJg6Cko-tDj4zi0WwUzuORDNNvD8BN-motrC4aVQo2brShfGl1Zbu--f2vUh_C7IA2aJQxHnDVNlDNK95nyxtp2gd0Rk8pSD9TZo_o/w400-h331/S2_south-glaciers_5oct2022.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Check back in mid-October to learn more about how these dry-season conditions, and why we were unable to visit the summit weather stations in September. Planning is already underway to get up there again though!</span><br /><p></p><p> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3929243070762036576.post-41606740719180519422022-07-28T09:16:00.001-04:002022-07-28T09:16:21.730-04:00Stable weather at the summit<p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Two months into the 2022 dry season - roughly halfway through - the extent of snowcover has remained remarkably constant. The animation below runs from 12 June through 27 July at a five-day interval (22 July not shown due clouds).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Although mass loss continues, the low rate of ablation suggests cold and dry conditions at the summit, supported by the lack of convective clouds seen on these images. With such weather conditions, sublimation is the predominant mechanism of ablation, requiring eight times more energy per unit mass lost.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Typically, an increase in atmospheric moisture marks the transition between the dry season and short rains, yet for much of eastern Africa the pattern has been disrupted in recent years. David Nash details the <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-eastern-africas-drought-the-worst-in-recent-history-and-are-worse-yet-to-come-185327" target="_blank">current and forecast situation</a> in a short article for The Conversation.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">We will be back on the mountain in September! After a 2-year COVID hiatus, we are eager to observe the glaciers, recover meteorological data - and provide a new perspective on Kilimanjaro climate variability and change (stay tuned)! <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGS3bHTUgSg-BAUUId-5gfUOgICFISVDpdikCV6kdARpjcivHwp5hS4FCTkdQpew-MD7GZG7yw70j4_TDnEmyJ4s4jrMBx53qgzag_vCMhurCBeYolkUKzB2i5qcdsetYoZHdSqOiV6uk1Sn7WUE8m1a3h9zosVXYUc42GMziuF2SRX5m-bi95IYN/s512/S2L1C-1307756043898347-timelapse.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGS3bHTUgSg-BAUUId-5gfUOgICFISVDpdikCV6kdARpjcivHwp5hS4FCTkdQpew-MD7GZG7yw70j4_TDnEmyJ4s4jrMBx53qgzag_vCMhurCBeYolkUKzB2i5qcdsetYoZHdSqOiV6uk1Sn7WUE8m1a3h9zosVXYUc42GMziuF2SRX5m-bi95IYN/w320-h320/S2L1C-1307756043898347-timelapse.gif" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><br /> </span><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3929243070762036576.post-2419816846596380492022-06-06T08:08:00.000-04:002022-06-06T08:08:15.478-04:00Kibo 2022 Dry Season begins<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYbQA0o-BSwTCvoxiv3uCokFPpZiCVJxs9J4UghimWLCDgajUAm3Gw36EqHtNAFZBXFNJlaEdi4VdvuOFoQA1jl0Suh2MyqQP1ntaMm6rZatRLP47MSi-P6Z-GF4jMGOnhAAx-tWI6lcFqqPjA_fPeUeyJb5BjHEt3MRcbLmWF4cjSxrko7Qhl3pR/s1663/S-2_kibo_2june_2022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1663" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYbQA0o-BSwTCvoxiv3uCokFPpZiCVJxs9J4UghimWLCDgajUAm3Gw36EqHtNAFZBXFNJlaEdi4VdvuOFoQA1jl0Suh2MyqQP1ntaMm6rZatRLP47MSi-P6Z-GF4jMGOnhAAx-tWI6lcFqqPjA_fPeUeyJb5BjHEt3MRcbLmWF4cjSxrko7Qhl3pR/w400-h361/S-2_kibo_2june_2022.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">Throughout eastern Africa the dry season is getting underway, a period of 4-5 months with minimal precipitation</span><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">.
June typically begins with complete snowcover on Kilimanjaro, resulting
from the March-May rainy season, which in some years supplements
January snowfall events as well as snow deposited during the
November-December short rains. With reduced cloud cover and lower
temperatures on the mountain during the dry-season months, snow
gradually sublimates and melts. This annual cycle of snowcover was
roughly defined by the late 19th century:<br />
</span>
<p></p><blockquote><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">Although
Kilimanjaro lies near the equator the extent of its ice and snow varies
with the season. The southern summer (December to May) is also the rainy
season in the Kilimanjaro region, and it is then that the accumulations
of ice and snow are greatest. In the southern winter (June to November)
there is a comparative dearth of moisture, the snowfall is
proportionately slight, and the process of melting goes on rapidly;
hence, by the end of the season, the accumulations of ice and snow are
at their smallest.<br />
</span><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">Hans Meyer, <i>Across East African Glaciers</i> (1891)</span><br />
</blockquote>
<span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">Snow currently blankets only
about half of the summit caldera, and only the southern flanks - as
illustrated on the satellite image above, from last week (2 June).
Within the caldera, this pattern of accumulation has remained quite
consistent through the 2022 long rains. More noteworthy is that accumulation is clearly less than normal. Compare this year's snowcover
with that of 2020 and 2018 in these images:</span><p><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">
</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-pehu7qF2_mg0lqyCEiI7VIi4mGDQLZG8m3zSHnzJGVlcmz3ZRCDfjdJufguF4d8xCzACXM5m6rHAWWqeV09ySXEOjeJZ_B7yUUUQcm9QHu2ElRIIU7pJtu_h7OxgO4dEy7NJFfKBrpJhaD_1His6RLVION1cHa9gpu_hXd25nGhchVtyZ8fLRe5/s3343/S-2_kibo_2june_18-20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="3343" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-pehu7qF2_mg0lqyCEiI7VIi4mGDQLZG8m3zSHnzJGVlcmz3ZRCDfjdJufguF4d8xCzACXM5m6rHAWWqeV09ySXEOjeJZ_B7yUUUQcm9QHu2ElRIIU7pJtu_h7OxgO4dEy7NJFfKBrpJhaD_1His6RLVION1cHa9gpu_hXd25nGhchVtyZ8fLRe5/w400-h180/S-2_kibo_2june_18-20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">In a larger spatial context, snowcover on Kilimanjaro following the long rains is illustrative</span></span><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"> of the "current extreme,
widespread, and persistent multi-season drought (<a href="https://public.wmo.int/en/media/news/meteorological-and-humanitarian-agencies-sound-alert-east-africa" target="_blank">1</a>)" affecting East
Africa, particularly in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia. The figure below
depicts only the most-recent wet season precipitation, as the satellite images
also reflect. A joint statement by the World Meteorological
Organization, UN Food and Agriculture Organization, and others states
that "The 2022 March-May rainy season appears likely to be the driest on
record, devastating livelihoods and driving sharp increases in food,
water, and nutrition insecurity" (<a href="https://public.wmo.int/en/media/news/meteorological-and-humanitarian-agencies-sound-alert-east-africa" target="_blank">1</a>). In addition, East African air
temperatures have been higher than normal, and these are forecast to
continue through the forthcoming dry season.</span></span></span></p><p><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnl8v_fcjXA2ZSBXB1jWUvo_SB1evP6WV6pMsy3W5Ywl6lq-DICN1S_bStE9Cz4dNBWSAWFs3il1Lc_yN4ukeBjRK6O_2qWiFL9x-qHM4r3ObLSuB15BbgwoHDv32AW7t3jRaIhWReK4GskN0J9XQ2HhSMdEwDkPBgdZno_7IbVvDIadEDKcTn_nl/s701/ea_chirps_seasaccum_pctn_marmay_202230_lta(1).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="499" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnl8v_fcjXA2ZSBXB1jWUvo_SB1evP6WV6pMsy3W5Ywl6lq-DICN1S_bStE9Cz4dNBWSAWFs3il1Lc_yN4ukeBjRK6O_2qWiFL9x-qHM4r3ObLSuB15BbgwoHDv32AW7t3jRaIhWReK4GskN0J9XQ2HhSMdEwDkPBgdZno_7IbVvDIadEDKcTn_nl/w143-h200/ea_chirps_seasaccum_pctn_marmay_202230_lta(1).png" width="143" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><a href="https://earlywarning.usgs.gov/fews/product/598" target="_blank">source</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">The current drought to the
north of Kilimanjaro is both a direct and indirect consequence of
climate change, and climate variability. Factors include a multiyear La
Niña event (<a href="https://public.wmo.int/en/media/news/east-africa-seasonal-outlook-%E2%80%9Cshort-rains-season%E2%80%9D" target="_blank">2</a>), a longterm decrease in Long rains precipitation, more
intense and severe extreme events, as well as changing large-scale
patterns of convection and subsidence, driven by Sea Surface Temperature
(SST) anomalies in the Indian Ocean.<br />
<br />
Decreased snowcover on Kilimanjaro during the 2022 dry season will
hasten ablation of the glaciers. Comparing the current satellite image with those of snowier years dramatically illustrates the role of snowcover in determining the
reflectivity of solar radiation. Without snow, the dark volcanic surface
absorbs radiation, heats up, and radiates longwave radiation to the air
and adjacent ice. Kilimanjaro's summit is 5000 m above the drought-stricken plains below (primarily north of the mountain), providing information on the climate system from the mid-troposphere. These shrinking glaciers serve as a constant reminder of the importance
of precipitation to human and natural systems.</span></span></span><p></p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3929243070762036576.post-11500283171668689182022-03-25T14:56:00.001-04:002022-03-25T14:56:32.127-04:00A glimpse of the receding south-side glaciers<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqF10cQztlwGOMNboQMMFFxCgNiU0aD_hAEfdZUfELGGT_KZK5iZ8ooLQGYm8zjusQa_1ZWjxsIpEYsMnT8TLT5HfCgKAEtCj-IoW2qBQQ57DF9O8f3bUcHuc7pVmzitfYP5Nfy4mDdafRlLNSW8t8i2yzygucc1YJjYNyNTXFUHLE0c0tLDzqQ2g2/s3886/S-2_kibo_19march2022%20copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3685" data-original-width="3886" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqF10cQztlwGOMNboQMMFFxCgNiU0aD_hAEfdZUfELGGT_KZK5iZ8ooLQGYm8zjusQa_1ZWjxsIpEYsMnT8TLT5HfCgKAEtCj-IoW2qBQQ57DF9O8f3bUcHuc7pVmzitfYP5Nfy4mDdafRlLNSW8t8i2yzygucc1YJjYNyNTXFUHLE0c0tLDzqQ2g2/w400-h379/S-2_kibo_19march2022%20copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Delineating Kibo's southern slope glacier margins on satellite
imagery has been difficult in recent years. This is because snow
cover has persisted on both the glaciers and adjacent surfaces
(see one dramatic example <a href="http://kiboice.blogspot.com/2020/04/ski-africa.html" target="_blank">here</a>).
While the coverage is relatively uniform following snowfall
events, ablation subsequently creates a patchy mosaic, reflecting
variable snow depth (e.g., due wind redistribution) as well as
topographic shading, slope, and aspect.<br />
<br />
The issue of glacier margin delineation is nicely illustrated by
the image above (Sentinel-2, acquired 19 March 2022). The
southwest quadrant of the image is obscured by clouds. North of
the Reusch Crater, most of the white pixels depict patchy snow
cover, excepting the two remaining portions of the Northern Ice
Field (NIF; labeled). The NIF southern and eastern margins are
partially visible due to ablation adjacent to the near-vertical
ice wall, a typical situation observed days-weeks after snowfall
events.<br />
<br />
South of the crater, Furtwängler Glacier is only ice mass entirely
within the caldera, shown within the red ellipse on the image
above - and likely appearing slightly larger than reality, due
adjacent snow. The white arc on the image south of the crater is
entirely snow, extending from west of Uhuru Peak (yellow triangle)
to east of Gilman's Point (green triangle). The southern margin of
this arc coincides with the steep caldera rim; snow on the north
side is shaded from sun during the boreal winter, yet almost
entirely ablated on the south side.<br />
<br />
The white patches high on the southern slope, above the yellow
lines, are primarily glaciers: Kersten Glacier fragments directly
south of Uhuru, the tiny Decken's Glacier finger to the east, and
remnants of Rebmann Glacier just left of the label. Lower on the
slope, below the yellow lines, we see a mixture of both
snow-covered rock, and glacier fragments with snow cover.<br />
<br />
Although the southern glacier margins cannot be precisely located
on this image, it reveals that recession has continued despite
relatively snowy conditions in recent years. For example, compare
the image above with this view from <a href="http://kiboice.blogspot.com/2011/08/kilimanjaro-glaciers.html" target="_blank">July 2009</a>.<br />
<br />
With luck, we'll be back on Kibo in September, for a first-hand
look at changes since our last fieldwork in <a href="http://kiboice.blogspot.com/2020/09/what-will-gadd-learned-on-top-of.html" target="_blank">February 2020</a> (including a <a href="https://www.redbull.com/int-en/will-gadd-climate-change-kilimanjaro" target="_blank">Red Bull film</a>).</span><p></p><p> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3929243070762036576.post-61730343534597444472021-10-27T16:36:00.005-04:002021-10-27T17:12:00.356-04:00The Big Climb<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgb5wUzzP2c3F7t52aarv-bdIlfhS2kYwrYAoUrRxhoDA-Vlimvzfb_qJEt-1f6AHN6z1ja1u8cXKUg9z4N8qh2sK-R57Hy0pMpbc402yiZEWZ488Mbe7zcSoJCTf5YJLH6vpjBpNzTkk/s1306/Screenshot+2021-10-27+at+14-54-38+Climbers+-+The+Big+Climb.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="978" data-original-width="1306" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgb5wUzzP2c3F7t52aarv-bdIlfhS2kYwrYAoUrRxhoDA-Vlimvzfb_qJEt-1f6AHN6z1ja1u8cXKUg9z4N8qh2sK-R57Hy0pMpbc402yiZEWZ488Mbe7zcSoJCTf5YJLH6vpjBpNzTkk/w400-h300/Screenshot+2021-10-27+at+14-54-38+Climbers+-+The+Big+Climb.png" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Good friend Simon Mtuy just returned from the mountain, following an effort to r</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">aise awareness of the need to fight the COVID-19 pandemic
together. The Big Climb is raising funds to better track and understand
the virus, equip health care workers, and to purchase vaccines for
equitable distribution on the understanding that ‘no one is safe until
everyone is safe’.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Simon is the perfect person to guide this talented, diverse group of 34 climbers up the mountain - including both young leaders, and accomplished all-star leaders. Who else but Simon could assemble such a group and compliment it with amazing ultrarunners <a href="https://lessonsinbadassery.com/francesca-canepa-utmb-winner-doesnt-like-running/" target="_blank">Francesca Canepa</a>, <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwihpsWrtuvzAhUwn-AKHdnXCUkQFnoECAgQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FMaude_Mathys&usg=AOvVaw2K7szp5DPonA0105lJGFpf" target="_blank">Maude Mathys</a>, and Mira Rai* - wow! </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Also supporting the effort were the good folks at <a href="https://www.maranguhotel.co.tz/" target="_blank">Marangu Hotel</a>, with whom we have worked for nearly 20 years.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Check the impressive list of partners, and read more about everyone involved <a href="https://thebigclimb.org/" target="_blank">here</a>!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> *Learn more about Mira <a href="https://www.pbs.org/video/mountain-diaries-keeping-up-with-a-himalayan-legend-ijnzmu/" target="_blank">here</a> (US) or <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b094klt5" target="_blank">here</a> (UK, EU?)</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/francesca_canepa_/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="999" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvr9HvbsPs2MgH2z9IagrM4lyuSXC1JQ0VZolYvuBpKEbDH2mmz8lD3EdcU524HPT4Z9yRRr4mKEdJK8zPnjM8cbL3ano2qm3IVqjU89ES95ydnAp2xPKMgzxHL5BsoBNzl8zF3rSues/w400-h400/Screenshot+2021-10-27+at+16-44-42+Francesca+Canepa+%2528+francesca_canepa_%2529+%25E2%2580%25A2+Instagram+photos+and+videos.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3929243070762036576.post-88957337653894730422021-10-27T11:58:00.001-04:002021-10-27T19:48:49.775-04:00Caldera glimpse with decreased snowcover<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlf0rlo_TWhOVakVWI4BKbdaWb4MES9J7DSQnlyUtUqfwIUDTTTs1DL_orASR9BvCzLHlswiFvl-ozHOsbgK6MFuWduh0FdGuTopwq438dNBQ_THVDuylkrV9JZC2O-CbvLE22IzST7f4/s2048/kibo_25oct21_annot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1664" data-original-width="2048" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlf0rlo_TWhOVakVWI4BKbdaWb4MES9J7DSQnlyUtUqfwIUDTTTs1DL_orASR9BvCzLHlswiFvl-ozHOsbgK6MFuWduh0FdGuTopwq438dNBQ_THVDuylkrV9JZC2O-CbvLE22IzST7f4/w400-h325/kibo_25oct21_annot.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">Our most-recent fieldwork at
Kilimanjaro summit was in February 2020, as the global pandemic began.
Since then the mountain has been unusually quiet, with many guides and
porters unemployed. They are as anxious as we are to get back up the mountain! Although satellite imagery allows us to assess some
changes on the mountain, it is no substitute for on-site measurements and observations. Our reliable instrumentation on the
Northern Icefield was functioning 18 months ago, yet the current status
is unknown.<br />
<br />
The image above was acquired by ESA's Sentinel-2 two days ago, revealing
perhaps the least snowcover in several years. Such a view is especially
valuable, as distinguishing between snow and ice on imagery is
difficult. Clouds of course also complicate interpretation, and in this
case case there are scattered clouds visible over the Northern
Icefield's northern remnant, within the Breach on the west side, and
over low-elevation portions of the southern glacier remnants. On visible portions of the
south side, residual snow is estimated to comprise roughly half of the
bright patches (i.e., non-glacier).<br />
<br />
Noteworthy changes apparent in this image include on-going shrinkage of
the Furtwängler Glacier (see above). The extent of south-side glaciers
has clearly decreased, even acknowledging residual snowcover. At the
Northern Icefield, the east end appears to have experienced the
greatest change, due generally-thinner ice and a less-linear margin. In
addition, several locations suggest that areas of anomalous geothermal
heat are involved with ice loss, an ablation mechanism we have documented elsewhere at the summit. Further information on these new features will
hopefully be forthcoming soon from Tanzanian collaborators.<br />
</span><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><br />
</span><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3929243070762036576.post-37248419199916903652021-04-29T14:35:00.001-04:002021-04-29T14:36:59.629-04:00Late April snowcover<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qFQN50QzBux_jjNXoCmUqg1nFZt_Hx1EToY8p9F93nWWL2AAlU3tfolrYv1SET3jQqgXNoD3khOiKrWTj6zS-64oPtrPuiMnkRwZcDmxNifJ0XORLseZQ49Tx9IdGnPqAW6qnzUtxH8/s2048/2021-04-28_S-2_annot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1907" data-original-width="2048" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qFQN50QzBux_jjNXoCmUqg1nFZt_Hx1EToY8p9F93nWWL2AAlU3tfolrYv1SET3jQqgXNoD3khOiKrWTj6zS-64oPtrPuiMnkRwZcDmxNifJ0XORLseZQ49Tx9IdGnPqAW6qnzUtxH8/w400-h373/2021-04-28_S-2_annot.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Satellite imagery of Kilimanjaro from the European Space Agency's
Sentinel-2 is available every five days. Yesterday's nearly cloud-free
image (28 April, above) and that from 23 April nicely bracket the time
period when Tropical Cyclone
JOBO approached the coast of Tanzania. On the 23rd, thick clouds
obscured the mountain - except for the crater and a pie-shaped slice to
the west, which are nicely visible.<br />
<br />
Comparing these two images suggests essentially no snow accumulation on
the mountain during the 5-day interval. The pattern of snowcover
yesterday resembles that on the mountain since mid-January. Depth
appears to have been thin at times when the snow-covered area was
greater (i.e., following snowfall events). In general however, there
currently appears to be less-than-average snowcover on the mountain,
with another month remaining in the long-rains wet season (March-May).<br />
<br />
It will be interesting to learn where the highest precipitation totals were recorded during JOBO.<br />
<br />
For reference on the image above, Kibo Hut on the Marangu Route is
visible within the orange circle (above), while the yellow ellipse
highlights Barafu Camp. Trails leading toward the crater rim are faintly
visible in both cases.</span></span><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> </span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3929243070762036576.post-27097502422832830602020-11-12T08:45:00.001-05:002020-11-12T08:45:07.129-05:00Seasonal change<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwyIhnlevzG9ci6f4v80jR1T0Ala3MvsY5au-amwFZ6mC17LDO1uXbd-lSNBoBlDbNvK2ardIU9e5uBqenEwZcvHOvQx-COE2oVhKLKHWWADuYaoW9jq7_X1lVgtx1U7M46jel1lCx14/s512/S2L1C-timelapse.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwyIhnlevzG9ci6f4v80jR1T0Ala3MvsY5au-amwFZ6mC17LDO1uXbd-lSNBoBlDbNvK2ardIU9e5uBqenEwZcvHOvQx-COE2oVhKLKHWWADuYaoW9jq7_X1lVgtx1U7M46jel1lCx14/w400-h400/S2L1C-timelapse.gif" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Snowcover within the Kibo
caldera may have reached an annual minima last week. The two-image
Sentinel-2 timelapse above shows the same area, five days apart.<br />
<br />
The mostly cloud-free image on 4 November depicts the largest extent of
snowfree area for calendar year 2020. Nonetheless, note the extensive
snowcovered area east of the Northern Icefield and north of Reusch
Crater; this was evidently an area of higher accumulation during the
previous wet seasons. South of Reusch Crater, white areas within the
caldera are all patches of snow - with the exception of one remaining
fragment of Furtwängler Glacier, the east-west oriented body just south
of the extensive snowfree area. On the caldera's south side, snowcover
blankets the south-southwest facing slope and delineates the rim,
closely paralleling the trail from Stella Point to Uhuru Peak.
Encompassed within this area are the upper fragments of Kersten and
Deckens Glaciers, with less-continuous snow around the Rebmann Glacier.
Below the upper south-side glaciers is a steep, 100-150 m band without
snow, then patchy snow and the snowcovered lower fragments of the
Kersten and Deckens Glaciers.<br />
<br />
Snow blankets the entire upper portion of the mountain on 9 November, as
visible in the second image (despite a thin cloud veil). This snowfall
event is "right on schedule" in terms of the precipitation climatology
for high elevations of Kilimanjaro. This would be a fascinating time to
be up there, for a survey of snow depth and spatial variability...</span><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3929243070762036576.post-5149397711619709982020-10-25T09:21:00.000-04:002020-10-25T09:21:07.317-04:00Fires extinguished, snowcover continues to decrease<p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">I hear from friends in Mweka
that wildfires on the mountain are now out, thanks both to some rain,
and hard work by personnel. They burned quite close to the Mweka (descent) trail, just above the upper forest line, a zone which has been severely impacted by fires and climate change in recent decades (see Andreas Hemp reference <a href="https://na.unep.net/atlas/webatlas.php?id=22" target="_blank">within this link</a>). A helicopter pilot from Kenya was able to
provide valuable assistance to firefighters for several days.<br />
<br />
Today's satellite image - and that of 20 October - shows considerable
cloud cover on the mountain, as expected at this time of year. A "hole"
in the clouds does reveal the caldera's west side, and much of the
Breach, to now be snowfree.<br />
<br />
The next clear view of the mountain will be posted here. Will any
seasonal snow persist to the next period of accumulation? Stay tuned!</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3929243070762036576.post-43751008003881982762020-10-15T16:26:00.008-04:002020-10-16T20:24:03.661-04:00Serious wildfires continue [updated]<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7phlAxSRR6tqFlmpdAKcMdfUSyqjkD2TkbV8GeKdrzpe38Tr7OcUfzjIzsa5cRKhvSL1qEiwXaDcmpe-QT_J8b2_Vf78qOfrRYcplo5MAyn5-7deQ7VJjwYxsTxpd1ymbaQbBDysULow/s2048/15oct20_fire.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1110" data-original-width="2048" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7phlAxSRR6tqFlmpdAKcMdfUSyqjkD2TkbV8GeKdrzpe38Tr7OcUfzjIzsa5cRKhvSL1qEiwXaDcmpe-QT_J8b2_Vf78qOfrRYcplo5MAyn5-7deQ7VJjwYxsTxpd1ymbaQbBDysULow/w400-h216/15oct20_fire.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br />This morning's Sentinel-2 image of Kilimanjaro reveals the seriousness
of fires burning since Sunday, high on the mountain (bands 12, 11, and
4). Reports suggest the fire was started accidentally along the Marangu
Route. Early reports from TANAPA expressed premature optimism that "the
fire is already under control" (14 Oct. via @tzparks), yet Minister of
Natural Resources and Tourism, Hamisi Kigwangalla, is <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/15/world/africa/mount-kilimanjaro-fire-tanzania.html" target="_blank">quoted in the NY Times today</a>: "the task is harder and bigger than it is thought to be".<br />
<br />
On the false color image above, note the Reusch Crater. Snow and ice
appear royal blue, with burning areas in yellow-red. This is a very
serious, extensive fire! Smoke is visible being blown westward from the
fires, burning at an elevation above 3000 m. The dominant vegetation
type at this level is giant heather (Erica excelsa), which ecologist
Andreas Hemp describes as "an obvious fire sign" which "enhances the
fire risk, as even fresh Erica wood burns well". As highlighted in a
<a href="https://na.unep.net/atlas/webatlas.php?id=2" target="_blank">UNEP posting</a> based on Hemp's work, "nearly 15% of Kilimanjaro’s forest
cover was destroyed by fire since 1976 and was replaced by Erica bush
which extended its total area by 5km2 (mainly downslope)."<br />
<br />
The upper portion of the popular Marangu Route is shown in green,
passing Horombo Huts where some fire damage may have occurred. One
updated account today (<a href="https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/oct/15/tanzania-asks-for-aircraft-to-battle-fire-on-mt-ki/" target="_blank">here</a>) quotes Minister Kigwangalla as saying that
yesterday's rebound "destroyed the Horombo Tourist Camp, including 12
huts, two toilets, and solar equipment". The mountain's primary descent
route past Barafu Camp is also shown, appearing to be threatened by both
fire and smoke.<br />
<br />
We await first-hand reports from the mountain, and welcome any additional information.</p><p>[UPDATE 10/16: Our friend Timba (Travel Consultant in Moshi) sent a link depicting Carbon Monoxide concentration, via the <a href="https://earth.nullschool.net/about.html" target="_blank">Earth</a> website. Although the screenshot below does not show the data well, note the value for Kilimanjaro of 13,116 parts per billion by volume (high enough to cause chronic problems with long-term exposure - from CO alone).]<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMTDSzOXkiCNdm8oM_wjntsjbbncn-4QSCka8PVdoXCsf5yaauAcll_AObCNcuRtLDhz3FTlkMJfRPXErM_urEanEdLSyNC9NufID1I1ONYh2wIsCt-kVANqNnPl__J_UiB5BKowO4XA/s796/Screenshot_2020-10-16+earth+a+global+map+of+wind%252C+weather%252C+and+ocean+conditions.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="796" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMTDSzOXkiCNdm8oM_wjntsjbbncn-4QSCka8PVdoXCsf5yaauAcll_AObCNcuRtLDhz3FTlkMJfRPXErM_urEanEdLSyNC9NufID1I1ONYh2wIsCt-kVANqNnPl__J_UiB5BKowO4XA/w400-h275/Screenshot_2020-10-16+earth+a+global+map+of+wind%252C+weather%252C+and+ocean+conditions.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <br />
<p></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3929243070762036576.post-11787445093213811482020-09-15T11:01:00.001-04:002020-09-15T11:02:25.817-04:00Processes in opposition<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs32xR9dcUYA1Aem01BURR_KoJ-eMOobGWs1jDjoze73hyphenhyphenX9B4P-V3fUjurgGQxpuUc93LDOfves5Ks_xtDU_d08sWr9CMVYphNSuzi52ZPkZdO4UN_frULru87bUaS-i33RiDhf1MGdM/s2048/2020-09-10-S-2_annot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1701" data-original-width="2048" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs32xR9dcUYA1Aem01BURR_KoJ-eMOobGWs1jDjoze73hyphenhyphenX9B4P-V3fUjurgGQxpuUc93LDOfves5Ks_xtDU_d08sWr9CMVYphNSuzi52ZPkZdO4UN_frULru87bUaS-i33RiDhf1MGdM/w400-h333/2020-09-10-S-2_annot.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">Ablation of seasonal snowcover
continues at Kibo's summit, while hints of the forthcoming short rain
season are becoming evident. The Sentinel-2 image above shows both
continuing ablation since the end of August (see previous posts), and a
dusting of new snow on southeastern slopes. This is also a nice
illustration of how localized snowfall can be on the mountain.<br />
<br />
Light accumulating snowfall is common at this time of year, as is its
subsequent ablation within a few days. These opposing processes are
especially critical for the glaciers as the dry season concludes,
because albedo reaches an annual minimum while temperature, humidity,
and solar radiation are all increasing.<br />
<br />
In today's image (not shown), partially obscured by clouds, the dusting
of snow seen above has completely ablated, and snowcover within the
caldera is patchier yet.<br />
<br />
While it appears that areas of snow will endure the dry season this
year, failure of the short rains - or even a delayed onset - might yet
ablate much of the lingering summit snow.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3929243070762036576.post-56664747274573544482020-09-09T10:56:00.002-04:002020-09-09T10:58:45.510-04:00What Will Gadd learned on top of Kilimanjaro<p><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">Red Bull today released a fantastic new
Will Gadd film, shot with a full crew during our pre-COVID February trip. The finished product (45 minutes) is about extreme sport, but also about the science of Kilimanjaro glaciers and climate change; it is well worth watching.</span></p><p><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">Will was a joy to work with - as eager to learn and share knowledge as he is to climb ice - and clearly articulates the responsibility we all have to reduce our carbon impact. Red Bull deserves major credit for broadening the scope of their productions. And, the stuff is tasty!</span></p><p></p><p><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">Director Tom Beard and <a href="http://www.keofilms.com/" target="_blank">the KEO Films crew</a> did a wonderful job of editing, and eagerly accepted ideas to insure an accurate result.</span></p><p><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">Access the film here: <</span><span face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://redbull.com/thelastascent" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://redbull.com/thelastascent</span></a></span>> or <a href="https://www.redbull.com/int-en/films/the-last-ascent-will-gadds-return-to-kilimanjaro" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /></span></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTp4A4FrNwC1iBAux9dIFwueNtzA0jY_mh05gKIYGVT7UtBCfP1Xh-ZHrXkeOK6ZNF21pFa9esyzYnUTrACBw8hToYAr94BoG1IQumwFJr64f8N_AEQIVSj_stQ0h80NRKps2egm9Vc5A/s2048/20200220_pondella_kili_2145.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTp4A4FrNwC1iBAux9dIFwueNtzA0jY_mh05gKIYGVT7UtBCfP1Xh-ZHrXkeOK6ZNF21pFa9esyzYnUTrACBw8hToYAr94BoG1IQumwFJr64f8N_AEQIVSj_stQ0h80NRKps2egm9Vc5A/w400-h266/20200220_pondella_kili_2145.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzOmMN1jZMHjVaFTlKa5S4xZKxqtokzuhgFgJ1YbwZV1aaKpi90vHHEB6xtNGQp9_RZrrSWhIkldX-DzNeRTJX3zRHtm0Bmgzj774DKqqt7Lkq4_w6BuCmChEolLpPBp87JsjEM5-17A/s1187/RB_clip2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="1187" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzOmMN1jZMHjVaFTlKa5S4xZKxqtokzuhgFgJ1YbwZV1aaKpi90vHHEB6xtNGQp9_RZrrSWhIkldX-DzNeRTJX3zRHtm0Bmgzj774DKqqt7Lkq4_w6BuCmChEolLpPBp87JsjEM5-17A/w400-h293/RB_clip2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLC5PZSLwIJf2tZDovXPoFrXJ0azuZay7C0GefyvUjt8dzJA_3dppvMN-GoH1XImdcKvpaA-gwINgFspWVaKMfYtXUd5NQByYE-QgF2oJWt5-wc6pmp1MXZj6M3USBWVZMLSqNlzcOTk/s2048/20200223_pondella_kili_4294.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLC5PZSLwIJf2tZDovXPoFrXJ0azuZay7C0GefyvUjt8dzJA_3dppvMN-GoH1XImdcKvpaA-gwINgFspWVaKMfYtXUd5NQByYE-QgF2oJWt5-wc6pmp1MXZj6M3USBWVZMLSqNlzcOTk/w400-h266/20200223_pondella_kili_4294.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSMhgMVqutRB_xe6OIcMNLDXe6csIU6KRmDKiUH_08a-V6X45hcT8vtR_BjnA_AGDM6kxoEGTRdEtW7o4Nc2PYXBAWeQ-MbWRCzV7LNYleCnL_x039JLyY7J1qTHZLeZehqcUvv8TV-o/s1108/RB_clip12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="1108" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSMhgMVqutRB_xe6OIcMNLDXe6csIU6KRmDKiUH_08a-V6X45hcT8vtR_BjnA_AGDM6kxoEGTRdEtW7o4Nc2PYXBAWeQ-MbWRCzV7LNYleCnL_x039JLyY7J1qTHZLeZehqcUvv8TV-o/w400-h313/RB_clip12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzy1f7cVm_eGCFeDkg3_pvX3XG3ZzEV3fjIADtibNW11i41sH53-uPHKdgBIYr7Txei4JKPbJQX0wYFEm01vv0y4ZhjbD6sKP3l8IZxzK0mF9RiIBo_h-LBM4swBE4UA_Aw7kC7OOjN1c/s2048/20200226_pondella_kili_6233.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzy1f7cVm_eGCFeDkg3_pvX3XG3ZzEV3fjIADtibNW11i41sH53-uPHKdgBIYr7Txei4JKPbJQX0wYFEm01vv0y4ZhjbD6sKP3l8IZxzK0mF9RiIBo_h-LBM4swBE4UA_Aw7kC7OOjN1c/w400-h266/20200226_pondella_kili_6233.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3929243070762036576.post-21283768242411182312020-09-02T08:37:00.000-04:002020-09-02T08:37:40.061-04:0031 August snowcover<p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Snowcover continued to
decrease during the last 5 days of August, as the image below reveals
relative to that from 26 August (previous post). Change appears most
evident in the northwest corner of the caldera. Nonetheless, the extent
of snow at the summit remains more than average - with perhaps two
months remaining in the extended dry season.<br />
<br />
Tourism on the mountain remains minimal, as the new Coronavirus pandemic
continues. For example, the Machame register book shows only 58
climbers departing for the normally-busy months of July and August.<br />
<br />
Our friend Simon Mtuy and a large <a href="https://www.nomadicexperience.com/" target="_blank">SENE</a> team have been assisting in a
large clean-up operation. Over just two days, SENE staff collected 45
kilos of trash from the Machame Camp area. Simon reports that this week
there will be 400 crew from 16 companies helping in the clean-up, which
will include the Western Breach route and the Crater Camp area. Asante
sana!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiForEDse6wvnmnJQOuRqf-7wZD0LXVxHCzB9CZNiRCMOqEpEJCm0D5B5BO60IANWsYCDoXDUxihmVHjA-We_J0_LU-f0xoWNCa3aG3-PMUHf6swXwNoPa880CqDmI9LD1I915ZIrooMW4/s2048/2020-08-31-23+59_Sentinel-2_L1C_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1521" data-original-width="2048" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiForEDse6wvnmnJQOuRqf-7wZD0LXVxHCzB9CZNiRCMOqEpEJCm0D5B5BO60IANWsYCDoXDUxihmVHjA-We_J0_LU-f0xoWNCa3aG3-PMUHf6swXwNoPa880CqDmI9LD1I915ZIrooMW4/w410-h304/2020-08-31-23+59_Sentinel-2_L1C_crop.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3929243070762036576.post-36584695885291481962020-08-31T08:53:00.000-04:002020-08-31T08:53:16.588-04:00Snowcover at the end of August<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnSNL0mFzqvAdl5Vf219S0ghiRUwT_9G7139roX_LPxrIb6joVh11Jg-tRaZhcK5M4R2mueQKKhiVgNrm9VXphpFpMW7xa4Q6vBqpjtJgYIfzwuxYnbcx-xNNAe56RMR0PTbQ0w0qC0I/s2048/2020-08-26%252C+Sentinel-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1407" data-original-width="2048" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnSNL0mFzqvAdl5Vf219S0ghiRUwT_9G7139roX_LPxrIb6joVh11Jg-tRaZhcK5M4R2mueQKKhiVgNrm9VXphpFpMW7xa4Q6vBqpjtJgYIfzwuxYnbcx-xNNAe56RMR0PTbQ0w0qC0I/w410-h282/2020-08-26%252C+Sentinel-2.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Snowcover in the caldera has
been decreasing through August, and is now at roughly 75% by area. The
image above was acquired by Sentinel-2 on the 26th. Although it now
appears possible to reach Stella Point without ascending on snow,
considerable snow remains in some places, such as to the east of the
Northern Icefield.<br />
<br />
During the boreal summer months of June-August, when the sun is in the
northern hemisphere, less solar radiation is received on any slope
inclined to the south. Note the extent of snowcover remaining on the
mountain's southern slopes (above). This </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">area coincides with
where the Southern Icefield used to exist - illustrated below during
Walter Mittelholzer's flight over the mountain in January 1930. Whereas most
of the white area in 1930 is snow over glacier ice, very little ice
remains on the south side in 2020.<br />
<br />
(Preservation of seasonal snow on the south side is not solely a
function of aspect. The spatial pattern of snowfall on the mountain
between November 2019 and June 2020 is not known (and was likely not
uniform), and snowcover retention is also governed by the s</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">easonal distribution and extent of cloud cover.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2G4nU_jVE_pfAENzBJ1zxmkOspNaBjegSl4QOXKZoDhergbk3bIbgIrFAU8iedqnU52HBVFHHLWofeZHcoh2vpTMYfcNe_CCMMhYuyvB8djfwkSfYVsfezGqgAZFdSB8a7W4M_7nP8pQ/s806/kili-113_cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="806" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2G4nU_jVE_pfAENzBJ1zxmkOspNaBjegSl4QOXKZoDhergbk3bIbgIrFAU8iedqnU52HBVFHHLWofeZHcoh2vpTMYfcNe_CCMMhYuyvB8djfwkSfYVsfezGqgAZFdSB8a7W4M_7nP8pQ/w410-h223/kili-113_cropped.jpg" width="410" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><br /> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Below: Mittelholzer's Fokker F.VIIb-3m "Switzerland" refueling enroute to Kilimanjaro [<a href="https://blogs.ethz.ch/digital-collections/2012/03/30/eine-weltpremiere-die-erste-uberfliegung-des-kilimanjaro-durch-walter-mittelholzer-8-januar-1930/" target="_blank">credit</a>].</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKyDW_Y7gqvOYrA6Y2CIKLSk3sgKLs12YVJN2ByWwpFWUo6VPjtuISWgkQ6voSiPxsPT6u20zwCv1arWyPiRxA7wlaWvygYeRHogPsrFY1l_etrBSkUEKoSgo1h-myuVUgo5njY7zZfM0/s399/LBS_MH02-07-0130.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="293" data-original-width="399" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKyDW_Y7gqvOYrA6Y2CIKLSk3sgKLs12YVJN2ByWwpFWUo6VPjtuISWgkQ6voSiPxsPT6u20zwCv1arWyPiRxA7wlaWvygYeRHogPsrFY1l_etrBSkUEKoSgo1h-myuVUgo5njY7zZfM0/w399-h293/LBS_MH02-07-0130.webp" width="399" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3929243070762036576.post-12015305941862649852020-08-05T14:50:00.000-04:002020-08-05T14:50:02.084-04:00Meteorological gradients on Kersten Glacier<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjOL2Ge0w2IUkxmkKZqqSPq1MMyh42anW3nP6SQcFZ1Oo4uAwQEmabX9Bq9Cy67vGJ8yvtz51CEUNietJx8llaQhvnA8acUB9GQJfJzcOFZ1fev3C11KwHNkUjVdyOUxFGt93uE6BZ9Y/s600/esd-11-653-2020_kiboAWS.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="349" data-original-width="600" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjOL2Ge0w2IUkxmkKZqqSPq1MMyh42anW3nP6SQcFZ1Oo4uAwQEmabX9Bq9Cy67vGJ8yvtz51CEUNietJx8llaQhvnA8acUB9GQJfJzcOFZ1fev3C11KwHNkUjVdyOUxFGt93uE6BZ9Y/w384-h223/esd-11-653-2020_kiboAWS.png" width="384" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><font face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">The latest Kilimanjaro AWS
paper is out, in the EGU Open-Access journal "Earth System Dynamics".
Collaborator Thomas Mölg at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität conceived
the concept and led the analysis and writing* on <i>Mesoscale atmospheric
circulation controls of local meteorological elevation gradients on
Kersten Glacier near Kilimanjaro summit</i>.<br />
<br />
Anchoring the analysis are measurements made at two automated weather
station sites, shown as #3 and #4 on the photo above (taken July 2005 by
co-author Nicolas Cullen). The stations span 270 m in elevation; both
were installed and operated by the Univ. of Innsbruck team, who have
coordinated numerous analyses and publications emphasizing AWS 3 (e.g.,
Mölg et al., 2009). This new ESD paper uses data from a four-year interval
of overlapping measurements (2009-2013), including the 2010 El Niño
event.<br />
<br />
Besides the empirical knowledge provided by analysis of the AWS
datasets, the paper links measured on-glacier gradients to a
high-resolution atmospheric modeling data set (Emily Collier), while
also considering the large-scale geostrophic flow high on the mountain (~500 hPa).<br />
<br />
This study illustrates the importance of field measurements, especially
in environments threatened by climate change. Data such as these will
endure forever, available for creative new analytical approaches and
model validation. Sadly, the Kersten Glacier is no longer intact, now
with a large gap between AWS 3 and 4. To the west (left on image above)
the Heim Glacier is essentially gone, as is the Decken Glacier to the
east (right). Replication of these measurements will never again be possible, due to
the loss of ice at high elevations on the mountain...<br />
<br />
Here is a <a href="https://esd.copernicus.org/articles/11/653/2020/esd-11-653-2020.html" target="_blank">link</a> to the article (open access).<br />
<br />
*Authors: Mölg, T., D.R. Hardy, E. Collier, E. Kropač, C. Schmid, N.J. Cullen, G. Kaser, R. Prinz, and M. Winkler</font></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3929243070762036576.post-90577052046147830182020-08-05T12:23:00.000-04:002020-08-05T12:23:09.093-04:00August snowcover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwoWZcM7_KHg9D88u5Qdt1ONm9by5ePwTyFGZ293FbxvFPiyqj5rb-oYD9ay6JWvU_79vHsw_lN1_e5JFqtHAFrV60redwI9TuAuWilvMi01Pg7HG2SwH1FiM7xdeJzhuZv7445bWSS8/s2048/2020-08-01+00_00+-+2020-08-01+23_59%252C+Sentinel-2+S2L1C%252C+True+color.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1163" data-original-width="2048" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwoWZcM7_KHg9D88u5Qdt1ONm9by5ePwTyFGZ293FbxvFPiyqj5rb-oYD9ay6JWvU_79vHsw_lN1_e5JFqtHAFrV60redwI9TuAuWilvMi01Pg7HG2SwH1FiM7xdeJzhuZv7445bWSS8/w410-h232/2020-08-01+00_00+-+2020-08-01+23_59%252C+Sentinel-2+S2L1C%252C+True+color.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><font face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">Very few climbers have been
visiting Kibo's caldera lately due to the pandemic, but satellite
imagery shows extensive snowcover - even as we reach the approximate
mid-point of the 2020 dry season.<br />
<br />
The Sentinel-2 image above was acquired on 1 August. Snowcover has
thinned somewhat over the past couple months, revealing interesting
textures of the relatively-flat ash within the caldera; note for example
those between the Reusch Crater and Uhuru Peak. Might these lobate
features be periglacial?<br />
<br />
With bright snowcover on the glaciers, ablation has likely been minimal.
This situation is similar to that of the 2018 dry season, when a 2
August image also shows nearly-complete snowcover within the caldera. In
contrast, there was no snow at the summit last year at this time.<br />
<br />
Another curious ablation feature is visible within the caldera, on the
Reusch Crater's western slopes. The dark area of bare ground was not
present during the snowy dry season two years ago, nor as the 2020 dry
season began in June. The timelapse below starts towards the end of
June, showing only this area west of Reusch Crater. Despite low
resolution, the progressive growth of this spot is apparent. While it is
tempting to speculate that enhanced, localized geothermal heat may be
responsible, an explanation will require an examination of topography
(e.g., aspect and slope) as well as the snow distribution pattern.<br />
<br />
Lastly, trails are visible on the western slope (top image), between
Shira Plateau and Lava Tower, then to Barranco Camp and continuing
toward Karanga. Also visible - largely transverse to the trails - are
stream channels which in recent years have been deepened and widened by
debris flows. Look for a post soon with details on these.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><br /></font></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQrRHtpJRF5bCSW_76zvwpSUHgpbGfkuZ02EobBsN0URGRewFZNZ9SVoPf0CwC_S8H85ZamMGhRMBb5fqiTJLw4M5BqNdhWwvv089HiHDYBj2CkG0N7B2VHbAF8_w_JozXREx0L1uZb0/s512/S2L1C-timelapse.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQrRHtpJRF5bCSW_76zvwpSUHgpbGfkuZ02EobBsN0URGRewFZNZ9SVoPf0CwC_S8H85ZamMGhRMBb5fqiTJLw4M5BqNdhWwvv089HiHDYBj2CkG0N7B2VHbAF8_w_JozXREx0L1uZb0/w328-h328/S2L1C-timelapse.gif" width="328" /></a></div><font face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><br /></font></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3929243070762036576.post-44653091412308362312020-06-09T14:44:00.003-04:002020-06-09T14:44:42.786-04:00AWS, long rains end, quiet mountain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpsvA-MHs_McR1AhOlZH3RYq_q_iC92TGMRvISmXQ5kEBoqM-aLmOWeP7fSU97TzXXqG9qZl921lCiaTNpLd3pdRe13EOJTjOiFLL54EXGBVHfQLKZYBbe5XJr72jr3BG-4cKyckrCe0/s1600/24feb20_1716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1107" data-original-width="1600" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpsvA-MHs_McR1AhOlZH3RYq_q_iC92TGMRvISmXQ5kEBoqM-aLmOWeP7fSU97TzXXqG9qZl921lCiaTNpLd3pdRe13EOJTjOiFLL54EXGBVHfQLKZYBbe5XJr72jr3BG-4cKyckrCe0/s400/24feb20_1716.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Our friend Simon (<a href="https://www.nomadicexperience.com/" target="_blank">SENE</a>*) made a
trip to the summit caldera recently, and has shared some photos. He
kindly detoured his climb to visit the Northern Icefield AWS and inspect
our instrumentation. The upper photo illustrates snowcover on the
glacier at the end of February. The red circle highlights a replacement
temperature/humidity sensor, which with luck is
accurately measuring these important variables again.<br />
<br />
The second image shows a net 'long-rains' snow accumulation of at least
50 cm. Aside from footprints, the surface texture suggests that a week
or more has passed since the last snowfall. On the ascent, Simon
estimates ~60 cm of snow beginning </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">below the caldera rim.<br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Below is a Sentinel-2
timelapse of snowcover between 18 May and 7 June. The transient snowline
can be seen increasing in elevation, with thinning of snow on north-facing
slopes. This pattern of ablation will likely continue in the months
ahead, as rarely does the 'long-rains' season extend much into June.<br />
<br />
Simon reports that the </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">mountain
is currently devoid of people. In the lower right-hand corner of the
satellite image is a light-colored, circular area, which is </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">"Barafu
Camp" at 4,700 m. This is the last camp used by most climbers, and once
the dry season gets underway it is bustling with hundreds of people.
The lowest photo shows Barafu this year, with not a single tent visible;
only camp infrastructure buildings can be seen.<br />
<br />
*Tourism is severely impacting Tanzania, as the case with other destinations reliant upon international tourism. In preparation for a return to something approaching normal, SENE is offering special terms for future trips booked during June - safaris as well as Kilimanjaro climbs. #TravelTomorrow </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Tanzania's President Magufuli has taken drastic steps to reopen the country, lifting the ban on flights and removing the required quarantine. Time will tell whether this early action was responsible...</span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3929243070762036576.post-3152988060305568312020-04-29T15:08:00.000-04:002020-04-29T15:08:05.712-04:00Ski Africa!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGukFk7jitPI7FrI6Odl158zjZGgQ1B0pyF6T8IMpLV1YSQONcuM1yWxRuhT_IPuK-ruoHW43N3YgIH0PX07Yd1qI2s4TUba-JSYqQQe5oSsiSaCSGDa-kgvTmRMqIYSmSK5fdtyWwas/s1600/28apr20_S-2_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGukFk7jitPI7FrI6Odl158zjZGgQ1B0pyF6T8IMpLV1YSQONcuM1yWxRuhT_IPuK-ruoHW43N3YgIH0PX07Yd1qI2s4TUba-JSYqQQe5oSsiSaCSGDa-kgvTmRMqIYSmSK5fdtyWwas/s400/28apr20_S-2_crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">From a satellite's perspective, </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Kilimanjaro
emerged from thick cloud cover yesterday, revealing substantial snow
blanketing the upper ~1300 m of the entire mountain (i.e., above about
4600 m / 15,100 ft). This is an area of ~50 km^2.<br />
<br />
Distinguishing between fresh snow and thin, low clouds is difficult on
this particular image - yet snowcover appears remarkably uniform. On
such a big mountain, precipitation often varies spatially, reflecting
interaction of the massif with regional circulation.<br />
<br />
Not often is it possible to ski 1000+ meters at 3° south latitude. But
if snow accumulation continues through May, as it typically does, t</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">his June might be a great time to ski the mountain - with </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">appropriate COVID-19 precautions. <br />
<br />
#seneadventures </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="st">@christianpondella</span>
</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3929243070762036576.post-48369196673461120842020-04-14T15:08:00.001-04:002020-04-14T15:08:21.766-04:00April Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKhtY2XR3zpaV3QDvC0tOdv92ChqM9E9-GJrrRR-8AyimOlcKoqXsFcDpsN6l_NxAzuBlpP3wfgkemNZNh_RFxuSLkXPGfUQbu1hunoKfCTipj_XHhhtYrAP51aeCap7YsQqXQJRxE5E/s1600/13apr20_S-2_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1553" data-original-width="1600" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKhtY2XR3zpaV3QDvC0tOdv92ChqM9E9-GJrrRR-8AyimOlcKoqXsFcDpsN6l_NxAzuBlpP3wfgkemNZNh_RFxuSLkXPGfUQbu1hunoKfCTipj_XHhhtYrAP51aeCap7YsQqXQJRxE5E/s400/13apr20_S-2_crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WIxTWbnK8yeC7OjLxKV9c6VkkBhbNVqQ4mokrTBwf1j9q2Ub8Hp0HDpPydYqFG5NEopLCMlSNp18fsJjbBLFWf0QaoUAqlkcJzsLSlZ_FCI2H4G4AypwedOO78nmzTuH7iAGJPphgMQ/s1600/_DSC1668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WIxTWbnK8yeC7OjLxKV9c6VkkBhbNVqQ4mokrTBwf1j9q2Ub8Hp0HDpPydYqFG5NEopLCMlSNp18fsJjbBLFWf0QaoUAqlkcJzsLSlZ_FCI2H4G4AypwedOO78nmzTuH7iAGJPphgMQ/s400/_DSC1668.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Northern Icefield margin with "cloudcam" and AWS. At the edge, note the layer of seasonal snow overlying glacier ice (23 February 2020).</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">
Mid-April is typically not a busy time on Kilimanjaro, midway through
the so-called "low season" when climbers avoid what are often the
wettest months, associated with widespread convection. However, April this year
is unusually quiet, due to the global pandemic; as with National Parks
around the world, Kilimanjaro is devoid of human visitors. Schools are
closed, and residents are sheltering in place - many without employment.
For a region so dependent upon tourism and foreign exchange, this is a
devastating time. We empathize with guides and all the other mountain staff
who eagerly await the return of clients, and the opportunity to share
their mountain with visitors.<br />
<br />
Since the short rains diminished in January, a series of snowfall events have maintained fresh
snowcover on the glaciers (see images above and below). Summit caldera snowcover has varied between continuous (see <a href="http://kiboice.blogspot.com/2020/02/stable-weather-returns.htm">3 Feb
image</a>) and patchy (as seen on yesterday's satellite image, above). Snowcover
appears to have been gradually decreasing over the past two weeks, as also occurred during February until restored by early March snow.<br />
<br />
In most years the long rains continue through May, ending rather abruptly by early June. Precipitation between now and then will determine what climbers encounter once travel and group climbs are safe again. Although recession of the glaciers continues, seasonal snowcover creates an illusion of permanence. At some point during the dry season though (June-September), the snow is likely to completely ablate and the bright ice will again be in stark contrast to the dark volcanic ash - reminding us that the ice will likely be gone within a few decades.</span>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsdg6QGd2c7VknWjN-xQ_DgmmSTwoc8I-ascuvch6pk5KALuW2fSApGfnICd0iE4GEEMXQOONrr6s6AbE2IBJ1SeLDG05oucXa-phn6MhzAV9N2uYS_yV48569n-XTk5vjGJXG12Abric/s1600/_DSC1727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsdg6QGd2c7VknWjN-xQ_DgmmSTwoc8I-ascuvch6pk5KALuW2fSApGfnICd0iE4GEEMXQOONrr6s6AbE2IBJ1SeLDG05oucXa-phn6MhzAV9N2uYS_yV48569n-XTk5vjGJXG12Abric/s400/_DSC1727.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Residual ice with Mawenzi in the background. Note seasonal snow layer on the ice as well as the crater surface (25 February 2020).</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3929243070762036576.post-63478888676125185022020-02-03T13:57:00.000-05:002020-02-04T13:13:11.064-05:00Stable weather returns [updated]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignyRZ4qcyNiIv5nqqkao2_Z_L44pPpkU6dp5s1zi3fvtC68ULgFG30qGgHE9vx7wdBa9NcF6x-bq1c4CKmZj3WmJsL1z8PP0bJ2tB6Wx7cfEkDI9qJIozwBw_yh3VwcEZNt1HVZhMaKk/s1600/simon_2feb2020.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignyRZ4qcyNiIv5nqqkao2_Z_L44pPpkU6dp5s1zi3fvtC68ULgFG30qGgHE9vx7wdBa9NcF6x-bq1c4CKmZj3WmJsL1z8PP0bJ2tB6Wx7cfEkDI9qJIozwBw_yh3VwcEZNt1HVZhMaKk/s400/simon_2feb2020.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">February weather on
Kilimanjaro is often characterized by a dry interval, between the Short
Rains of approximately Nov/Dec, and Long Rains within the Mar/Apr/May
time period. As noted previously, the Short Rains brought considerable
rain to the mountain this year, with snow up high, beginning in early
October. That wet period appears to have ended.<br />
<br />
The upper image from 2 February shows patchy snowcover on the upper 1000
meters of the mountain's south side, as viewed from above Moshi (<a href="https://www.nomadicexperience.com/about-us/simon-mtuy/" target="_blank">Simon Mtuy</a> credit). Distinguishing remnants of the former Southern Icefield
from snowcover is difficult here. <br />
<br />
The second image above was acquired today by the <a href="https://sentinel.esa.int/web/sentinel/missions/sentinel-2" target="_blank">ESA Sentinel-2 satellite</a>, revealing continuous snowcover within the summit caldera, and
on the upper slopes. The stable-weather cumulus clouds visible here appear only slightly more
extensive than those on the day before (top image).<br />
<br />
Although telemetry of data from the Northern Icefield (NIF) weather
station is not currently available (budget constraints), several recent
reports from climbers confirm what the images depict. On 23 January,
collaborator <a href="https://www.uwyo.edu/uw/news/2014/01/uw-scientist-and-olympian-spotlighted-in-nbc-learn-segment-for-winter-olympics.html" target="_blank">Sarah Konrad</a> visited the NIF and measured a mean snowdepth
of ~0.60 m around the weather station. Shortly thereafter (28 Jan.),
Simon was above the Western Breach in the Furtwängler Glacier area, reporting "almost one meter of snow."<br />
<br />
Images below show Simon's camp at Arrow Glacier on the 27th, looking
south across the Western Breach, and a Furtwängler Glacier
remnant near Crater Camp (Sarah Konrad credit). Finally, a photo of the NIF weather
station from Sarah reveals that the equipment is overdue for a "service
visit". Fortunately, planning is underway to visit the station later this month!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">[<b>UPDATE 02/04</b>: Our friend
Timba keeps close tabs on Kilimanjaro weather from Moshi, in the
interest of safety for the many guides and porters working on the
mountain. It was Timba who inspired our analysis of how tropical
cyclones might influence snowfall on the mountain (<a href="https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/2158422362_E_Collier" target="_blank">Collier et al., 2019</a>).<br />
<br />
Timba wrote today, emphasizing how wet the region has been in recent
months, especially at the end of September and through most of October
2019. As he points out, this is the time when the</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) was very strongly positive, a water temperature pattern associated with </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">heavy rain in eastern Africa - and bushfires in Australia (read more <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-50602971" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/iod/" target="_blank">here</a>).<br />
<br />
So, has stable weather really returned to Kilimanjaro? Although the IOD
has returned to a neutral pattern, older friends of Timba's equate the
current rainfall pattern with that of Oct. 1988 to June 1989 - when the
two rainy seasons merged into one long wet season.]<br />
</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJv2oHPIwpyWi4b13WAo_dLjoXtVsZgqYovQI4STpBBaVI353heVyFOB61l4YSjFOQrSms81harJGvKbkr_3qYVkCAywSpeQ_HvjYma9wtTXU0Zi4i7YJAZpLw4aHcJmpdywiIe6Y8QSA/s1600/IMG_0514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJv2oHPIwpyWi4b13WAo_dLjoXtVsZgqYovQI4STpBBaVI353heVyFOB61l4YSjFOQrSms81harJGvKbkr_3qYVkCAywSpeQ_HvjYma9wtTXU0Zi4i7YJAZpLw4aHcJmpdywiIe6Y8QSA/s400/IMG_0514.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3929243070762036576.post-82278527633017532282019-12-03T09:38:00.001-05:002019-12-03T09:38:20.910-05:00More Snow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVj5GhxtRVQhvL0WSY_vHKhs09nebR0FTI9seuYRHchzO1aXUBra6SK-hyK9mocTulxBGJNiyO3_bCYo3mx9ZDHp6eeud83kIfNRqUhEk9UXLtvVqP0sUKk2eaP2pPhXNCW1OA_LBBgQ/s1600/3dec2019_TPC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="1013" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVj5GhxtRVQhvL0WSY_vHKhs09nebR0FTI9seuYRHchzO1aXUBra6SK-hyK9mocTulxBGJNiyO3_bCYo3mx9ZDHp6eeud83kIfNRqUhEk9UXLtvVqP0sUKk2eaP2pPhXNCW1OA_LBBgQ/s400/3dec2019_TPC.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">The wet 2019 short rains
continue, according to both satellite imagery and reports from the
Kilimanjaro region. <a href="https://www.nomadicexperience.com/about-us/simon-mtuy/" target="_blank">Simon Mtuy</a> wrote today that the mountain has been in
clouds for the past three days, with heavy rain last night.<br />
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Above is a glimpse of the mountain two hours ago, from TPC sugar plantations (above Moshi).<br />
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Active convection continues over the anomalously-warm, western Indian
Ocean. <a href="https://www.ecmwf.int/en/forecasts/charts/tcyclone/?facets=undefined&time=2019120300&unique_id=06A_06A_2019" target="_blank">Tropical Cyclone 06A</a> is forecast to move <a href="https://www.ecmwf.int/en/forecasts/charts/tcyclone/tc_strike_probability?facets=undefined&time=2019120300&unique_id=06A_06A_2019" target="_blank">southwest to Somalia</a> on a
track toward Lake Victoria, with landfall on 6 December bringing heavy
rainfall and high winds; not what eastern Africa needs this year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">In addition to cyclone 06A, another cyclone is forming on the other side of the Equator. Rarely do cyclones form on both sides (circulating in opposite directions). Read more about this situation, and the vigorous convection expected, <a href="https://www.severe-weather.eu/tropical-weather/update-rare-twin-cyclone-equator-madagascar-fa/" target="_blank">here</a>. [<a href="https://www.severe-weather.eu/" target="_blank">credit Severe Weather Europe</a>]</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQD4yXBQcbWxXGBbAUxKxmfL2cVBGwUTbkHw3nZgIQj7BNULY5ub2JkFjcxgNHBRSdhuteex8bl_wByXpMrmiLQOE0DrhoqBzMn9WhZMLdEhQ8NFJf8jXkBf4CKfOdCqiQ_ihSGQ21KmU/s1600/xxwvm5bbm-1-1.jpg-nggid0511700-ngg0dyn-900x800x100-00f0w010c010r110f110r010t010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="831" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQD4yXBQcbWxXGBbAUxKxmfL2cVBGwUTbkHw3nZgIQj7BNULY5ub2JkFjcxgNHBRSdhuteex8bl_wByXpMrmiLQOE0DrhoqBzMn9WhZMLdEhQ8NFJf8jXkBf4CKfOdCqiQ_ihSGQ21KmU/s400/xxwvm5bbm-1-1.jpg-nggid0511700-ngg0dyn-900x800x100-00f0w010c010r110f110r010t010.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3929243070762036576.post-42976018037503452752019-11-10T21:10:00.003-05:002019-11-10T21:14:24.493-05:00Regional October precipitation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyzGcv-wWVbgFzPbv4cWEYJNGdimGxNOr7Wa5ajQQmhqWQErWUqZvhsORNK7PQxbxjwXKuc4RnXZCH6C_moz0bbOZuTfE1-G3U4jzKVm1AaHrSSPyu1QXa1h9p6lRDJD1wIEUlzAOIl4/s1600/simon_3nov2019-maybe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyzGcv-wWVbgFzPbv4cWEYJNGdimGxNOr7Wa5ajQQmhqWQErWUqZvhsORNK7PQxbxjwXKuc4RnXZCH6C_moz0bbOZuTfE1-G3U4jzKVm1AaHrSSPyu1QXa1h9p6lRDJD1wIEUlzAOIl4/s400/simon_3nov2019-maybe.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJKlI7rY_nRwPD7Jv2s_aS4ZLU_t0ys3zPKkBUN56OMa5hyphenhyphenFj3zLK27bP9IjqDjLSQn2n6_NubQqpxVHmu1ZoItzdJimF84R4yVqsxiDV6vBjhw674iQHooxRTNdn8ECGz729g7V2_xs/s1600/S-2_5nov2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJKlI7rY_nRwPD7Jv2s_aS4ZLU_t0ys3zPKkBUN56OMa5hyphenhyphenFj3zLK27bP9IjqDjLSQn2n6_NubQqpxVHmu1ZoItzdJimF84R4yVqsxiDV6vBjhw674iQHooxRTNdn8ECGz729g7V2_xs/s400/S-2_5nov2019.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_73744211"></span><span id="goog_73744212"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">The upper photo provides
another perspective on Kilimanjaro snow, complementing those of the
previous post on this blog. It was sent recently by Simon of <a href="https://www.nomadicexperience.com/" target="_blank">SENE</a>, taken
from Moshi in the first few days of November. On the satellite image
above from 5 November, snowcover is reduced within the large summit
caldera relative to that of 26 October, yet the snowline on the
southwest flank appears even lower. Today's Sentinel-2 image (10
November, not shown) reveals a fresh dusting over the entire mountain,
with higher amounts just west of Reusch Crater.<br />
<br />
Simon wrote of anomalous October rainfall in the area, with a frequency
more like that of the long-rain season. This appears to have also been
the case for a larger region of East Africa, especially Kenya, southern
Somalia and southern Ethiopia - and has led to flooding to the north and
east of Kilimanjaro. The situation is shown clearly on a European
Commission map for 5 November, from the <a href="https://erccportal.jrc.ec.europa.eu/getdailymap/docId/3118" target="_blank">Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC)</a>. [Kilimanjaro can be seen, in shaded relief, where the northern border of Tanzania jogs a bit; it is southwest of the flooded area in Kenya (red dots).]<br />
<br />
Why has the region been so wet during October? One good possibility is
related to sea surface temperatures in the western Indian Ocean:
anomalously warm water! Warmer than normal SSTs in the west, with cool
SSTs in the east, sets up a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) event,
associated with increased convection and precipitation over East Africa.
During September the IOD strengthened markedly, becoming one of the
most-positive events in many decades. Further information can be found
<a href="https://www.severe-weather.eu/news/unusually-strong-indian-ocean-dipole-australia-europe-fa/" target="_blank">here</a>. Once precipitation data from the mountain are available, we will
have a better understanding on how the 2019 IOD event is impacting the
Kilimanjaro region.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0