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Modern glacier retreat on Kilimanjaro as evidence of climate change: observations and facts

  1. Georg Kaser1,*,
  2. Douglas R. Hardy2,
  3. Thomas Mölg1,
  4. Raymond S. Bradley2,
  5. Tharsis M. Hyera3

Article first published online: 2 MAR 2004

DOI: 10.1002/joc.1008

Issue

International Journal of Climatology

International Journal of Climatology

Volume 24, Issue 3, pages 329–339, 15 March 2004

Additional Information

How to Cite

Kaser, G., Hardy, D. R., Mölg, T., Bradley, R. S. and Hyera, T. M. (2004), Modern glacier retreat on Kilimanjaro as evidence of climate change: observations and facts. Int. J. Climatol., 24: 329–339. doi: 10.1002/joc.1008

Author Information

  1. 1

    Tropical Glaciology Group, Department of Geography, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria

  2. 2

    Climate System Research Center, Department of Geosciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003-9297, USA

  3. 3

    Tanzania Meteorological Agency, PO Box 3056, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

*Tropical Glaciology Group, Department of Geography, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 2 MAR 2004
  2. Article first published online: 2 MAR 2004
  3. Manuscript Revised: 8 DEC 2003
  4. Manuscript Accepted: 8 DEC 2003
  5. Manuscript Received: 12 FEB 2003

Funded by

  • National Science Foundation. Grant Number: ATM-9909201
  • Theodor-Körner-Foundation

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Keywords:

  • tropical glaciers;
  • Kilimanjaro;
  • climatic change;
  • data synopsis;
  • glaciological field observations;
  • research concept

Abstract

In recent years, Kilimanjaro and its vanishing glaciers have become an ‘icon’ of global warming, attracting broad interest. In this paper, a synopsis of (a) field observations made by the authors and (b) climatic data as reported in the literature (proxy and long-term instrumental data) is presented to develop a new concept for investigating the retreat of Kilimanjaro's glaciers, based on the physical understanding of glacier–climate interactions. The concept considers the peculiarities of the mountain and implies that climatological processes other than air temperature control the ice recession in a direct manner. A drastic drop in atmospheric moisture at the end of the 19th century and the ensuing drier climatic conditions are likely forcing glacier retreat on Kilimanjaro. Future investigations using the concept as a governing hypothesis will require research at different climatological scales. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society

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