Measurements of albation rates at a cold based glacier, Wright Lower Glacier, Wright Valley, Antarctica

The average annual ablation rate of the Wright Lower Glacier, Wright Valley, was determined over three field seasons (04-05, 05-06 and 06-07) as part of an investigation into the seasonal melt regime of the glacier. 100 ablation stakes were installed on the surface of the glacier in the first season, with 48 installed in a "T" section where most stakes were spaced approximately 200m apart except stakes closest to the terminus which were spaced 100m apart. The remaining stakes were installed at four cross-sections along a supraglacial stream channel. The average annual ablation rate was determined by measuring the stakes initial position and then re-measuring them each season.