Author(s): Yuan Shunqi; Lu Peng; Yu Miao; Wei Jie; Li Haokun; Wang Qingkai; Li Zhijun
Linked Author(s): Zhijun Li, Qingkai Wang, Shunqi Yuan
Keywords: Lateral melting; In-situ observation; Parameterization; Ice-water temperature difference
Abstract: Lateral melting is a critical process dominating ice mass loss. To quantify its response to environmental forcing, continuous in-situ observations were carried out in Lake Hanzhang using a lateral melting observation frame and FROS system. Air, ice, water temperatures and ice lateral evolution at 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, 35 cm depths were measured. Results show obvious depth-dependent melting characteristics: total lateral melt amounts reach 0.064 m, 0.084 m, 0.148 m, 0.176 m at four depths, and the rate exceeds 2 mm·h⁻¹ in late melting. Lateral melting can maintain 0.1–0.25 mm·h⁻¹ below 30 cm even at sub-zero air temperature. A stratified parameterization of lateral melting rate versus ice–water temperature difference is established with R² > 0.82. In-situ rates are about twice those in laboratory experiments. Comparisons with laboratory and Ulansu Lake observations confirm that solar radiation and wind-driven turbulence significantly enhance lateral melting under natural conditions.
Year: 2026