Mass balance study on Collins Ice Cap, King George Island, Antarctica : spatial and temporal variations

A mass balance study carried out from October 1991 to November 1992 on the Collins Ice Cap, King George Island, Antarctica, suggested that the equilibrium line for 1991-1992 was at an elevation of 140 m a.s.l., but the mean equilibrium line altitude for multiple years is at 160 m a.s.l. The net mass balance shows an increasing trend with altitude, having a maximum up to 2480 kg m -2 year -1 in water equivalent on the summit. Using the relation between mean summer temperature and total ablation, the variation of annual net mass balance during 1971-1992 at the Low Dome was calculated. It showed that the mass balance of the ice cap was mainly negative for 1971/72-1983/84, while mainly positive from 1984/85 to 1991/92. The cumulative net balance during the 21 years was near zero.