Surface mass balance in east Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica, observed by Japanese Antarctic Research Expeditions

The surface mass balance in east Dronning Maud Land has been observed mainlvbv means of the snow-stake method. The surface mass balance generallv decreased with distance from the coast; from more than 250 mm a −1 in the coastal region to less than 50 mm a −1 in the inland region higher than 3500 m in altitude. At Mizuho Station (2230 m a.s.l.). the sublimation was about 50 mm a −1 . precipitation was between 140 and 260 mm a −1 , and the loss from the surface by theredistribution was estimated to be about 100 mm a −1 , which agrees with the surface mass balance estimated as 70 mm a −1 from the grain-growth rate. Around the mountainous area, the balance was small or in some cases negative, where a bare-ice field has developed. In the inland area, 3000– 3200 m a.s.l..the surface mass balance was less than 50 mm a −1 , i.e. lower than in the surrounding areas. This low mass-balance area can be explained bv redistribution by the drifting snow. The whole mass input in five drainage basins with a total area of 620 × 10 3 km 2 is 61.2Gton a −1 and the mean surface mass balance is 99 mm a −1 .