| Term: | Ablation zone |
| Definition: |
The part of the glacier where ablation exceeds accumulation in magnitude, that is, where the cumulative mass balance relative to the start of the mass-balance year is negative. Unless qualified, for example by giving a date within the year, references to the ablation zone refer to its extent at the end of the mass-balance year. The extent of the ablation zone can vary strongly from year to year. IHPGlacierMassBalance
Region in a glacier where there is a surface net removal of snow and/or ice by melting, sublimation, and/or calving. PhysicalGeography GCW |