Equilibrium-line altitude
Term · Meteorology and atmospheric science · MLC-T-MET-005443
The elevation on a glacier or ice sheet where the annual accumulation of snow and ice exactly balances the annual ablation (melting and sublimation). Above this line, the glacier gains mass, while below it, mass is lost. This altitude is a key indicator of a glacier's health and sensitivity to climate change, often varying seasonally and annually.
| Identifier | MLC-T-MET-005443 |
|---|---|
| Field | Meteorology and atmospheric science |
Record as JSON
{
"id": "MLC-T-MET-005443",
"term": "Equilibrium-line altitude",
"field": "Meteorology and atmospheric science",
"definition": "The elevation on a glacier or ice sheet where the annual accumulation of snow and ice exactly balances the annual ablation (melting and sublimation). Above this line, the glacier gains mass, while below it, mass is lost. This altitude is a key indicator of a glacier's health and sensitivity to climate change, often varying seasonally and annually.",
"url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/meteorology/equilibrium-line-altitude/"
}
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