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Inaccurate definition for definition of ablation #4

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andypbarrett opened this issue Dec 11, 2024 · 0 comments
Open

Inaccurate definition for definition of ablation #4

andypbarrett opened this issue Dec 11, 2024 · 0 comments
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Update definition Definition in glossary is incorrect or inaccurate

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@andypbarrett
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The first definition for ablation is incorrect and also duplicates definition 2.

1: Combined processes (such as sublimation, fusion or melting, evaporation) which
remove snow or ice from the surface of a glacier or from a snow-field; also used
to express the quantity lost by these processes.
https://github.com/nsidc/nsidc_cryosphere_glossary/blob/5c1d18e0d6e8d59837e84d5904fe50bd3bc2b9d5/glossary/a/ablation.yml#L3C3-L5C53

  1. "fusion" is an accumulation process and should be deleted.
  2. I would also suggest that a full list of ablation processes in order of relative importance is included.
  3. I think including snow-field duplicates the second definition, which is for snow cover.

I suggest using the text:

"1: All processes that reduce the mass of a glacier. The major ablation processes are melting and calving. Sublimation, windborne snow, and avalanching may also be important processes for some glaciers."

This is consistent with the definition in The Glossary of Mass Balance Terms, The Physics of Glaciers (Cuffey and Paterson) and Glaciers and Glaciation (Benn and Evans).

The terms melting, calving, sublimation, windborne snow (or windblown snow), and avalanching should be added to the see_also field.

@andypbarrett andypbarrett added the Update definition Definition in glossary is incorrect or inaccurate label Dec 11, 2024
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