Hokkaido University · Earth and Planetary Sciences
Professor Ken Kondo's research lab specializes in cryospheric and glaciological processes, focusing on the impacts of climate change on glacier runoff, ice mass loss, and their environmental and societal consequences. The lab investigates the physical mechanisms driving glacier retreat and increased meltwater discharge in polar and alpine regions, particularly in Greenland and Antarctica, using remote sensing, field observations, and numerical modeling. A key focus is understanding the role of atmospheric conditions, such as temperature and wind, in amplifying melt events and their implications for sea-level rise and coastal hazards. The lab also examines the effects of light-absorbing particles, like black carbon, on glacier surface melting and ice albedo reduction.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Abstract. Greenland runoff, from ice mass loss and increasing rainfall, is increasing. That runoff, as discharge, impacts the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the adjacent fjords. However, where and when the discharge occurs is not readily available in an open database. Here we provide data sets of high-resolution Greenland hydrologic outlets, basins, and streams, as well as a daily 1958 through 2019 time series of Greenland liquid water discharge for each outlet. The data includ
Abstract As a result of climate warming, glacial meltwater discharge has been increasing in Greenland. During the summers of 2015 and 2016, there were rapid increases in discharge from Qaanaaq Glacier in northwestern Greenland. These discharges resulted in floods that destroyed the road linking the settlement of Qaanaaq to Qaanaaq Airport. Field measurements were performed and a numerical model of glacier runoff was developed to quantify these discharges. The high discharge associated with the 2
Abstract To investigate the mechanisms driving recent changes in outlet glaciers in Antarctica, we measured the glacier front position, flow velocity and surface elevation of five outlet glaciers flowing into Lützow-Holm Bay in East Antarctica. After a steady advance from 2008 to 2015, all the glaciers synchronously retreated by 0.4–6.0 km between 2016 and 2018. The initiation of the retreat coincided with the breakup of land-fast sea ice in Lützow-Holm Bay in 2016, which resulted in the largest
Abstract. Increased river runoff due to ice melting in Greenland contributes to sea-level rise, as well as flooding in coastal settlements, posing serious risks to local communities. To investigate fluctuations of glacier runoff in Greenland and its atmospheric drivers, long-term variations in runoff from Qaanaaq Glacier, northwestern Greenland, were reconstructed from 1950 to 2023 using a glacier energy–mass balance model and climate reanalysis dataset. Exceptionally large daily runoff (top 0.1
Abstract. Light-absorbing particles on surface ice in ablation areas can accelerate glacier melting and shrinkage. A Single Soot Particle Photometer was used to measure black carbon (BC) mass concentrations (MBC) in the ablation area of Potanin Glacier, Mongolia during summer. Surface-ice MBC values (42–555 ng g-¹) greatly exceeded those of surface snow (5–22 ng g-¹), snow and rain (2–6 ng g-¹), and surface melt water (2–11 ng g-¹). Vertical profiles of MBC revealed high surface-layer concentrat
<strong class="journal-contentHeaderColor">Abstract.</strong> Increased river runoff due to ice melting in Greenland contributes to sea-level rise, as well as flooding in coastal settlements, posing serious risks to local communities. To investigate fluctuations of glacier runoff in Greenland and its atmospheric drivers, long-term variations in runoff from Qaanaaq Glacier, northwestern Greenland, were reconstructed from 1950 to 2023 using a glacier energy–mass balance model and climate rea
Basal ice motion is a key process in glacier flow, playing a crucial role in fast glacier motion and short-term ice speed variations. However, the mechanisms of basal motion remain poorly understood because direct observations are sparse. This paper reports the design and performance of a “ploughmeter” developed for deployment in a borehole to observe glacier basal motion and subglacial hydrology. The device measures three-dimensional acceleration and water pressure with sensors enclosed in a me
<strong class="journal-contentHeaderColor">Abstract.</strong> Increased river runoff due to ice melting in Greenland contributes to sea-level rise, as well as flooding in coastal settlements, posing serious risks to local communities. To investigate fluctuations of glacier runoff in Greenland and its atmospheric drivers, long-term variations in runoff from Qaanaaq Glacier, northwestern Greenland, were reconstructed from 1950 to 2023 using a glacier energy–mass balance model and climate rea
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