glacier-flow-model 0.4.0

Example data

The package includes an example DEM from swisstopo. It covers a smaller extent around the Aletsch glacial arena in Switzerland with a raster cell resolution of 200m.

from glacier_flow_model import PkgDataAccess
dem = PkgDataAccess.load_dem()

The original DEM can be downloaded here.

Usage

To set up a glacier flow model, a path to a DEM in the GeoTiff file format has to passed to the model class constructor. By default the mass balance parameters for alpine glaciers in the year 2000 are set. Keep the input file size small, otherwise the model may be slowed down remarkably:

import logging
from glacier_flow_model import GlacierFlowModel, PkgDataAccess

LOG_FORMAT = "[%(asctime)s %(levelname)s] %(message)s (%(name)s)"
logging.basicConfig(format=LOG_FORMAT, level=logging.INFO)

gfm = GlacierFlowModel(PkgDataAccess.locate_dem())

After initialization, the model needs to accumulate the initial ice mass until it reaches a steady state, call the reach_steady_state method to do so:

gfm.reach_steady_state()

When the model is in a steady state, a temperature change of the climate can be simulated. Simply use the simulate method with a positive or negative temperature change in degrees. The model changes the temperature gradually and simulates years until it reaches a steady state again.

Heating 4.5°C after initial steady state:

gfm.simulate(4.5)

Cooling -3°C after initial steady state:

gfm.simulate(-3)

Export the results of the model into .csv and .tif files:

gfm.export()

The GeoTiff contains the following bands, averaged over the last 10 simulation years (default MODEL_RECORD_SIZE=10):

1. Glacier thickness [m].

2. Velocity at medium height [m/a].

3. Mass balance [m].

Check out the video of the scenario simulation in the Aletsch glacial arena in Switzerland