Albedo of Glacier AX 010 during the Summer Season in Shorong Himal, East Nepal

Glaciological Expedition of Nepal, Contribution No. 68

Abstract

Variations of the albedo on Glacier AX010 were investigated during the summer monsoon season in 1978. In the lower part of the glacier where glacier ice appeared, one of the factors controlling the variation of the albedo is the amount of particulate matter. The albedo decreased in proportion to the increase in the grain size of snow. When the thickness of new snow is smaller than 25 mm, the albedo shows a smaller value than 0.8 which is the albedo of thick new snow surface. Frequent snow-fall and subsequent melting cause large variations of albedo in the summer season, especially in the lower part of the glacier.