Quantifying Subglacial Water Flow Using Glaciohydraulic Tremor: A Multi-glacier Analysis

As meltwater and precipitation drain through glacier ice into subglacial networks, the water generates seismic energy upon interaction with the bed. These signals, known as glaciohydraulic tremor, are detectable by seismometers on or near the ice. Tremor has been shown to act as a proxy for subglacial water flux, revealing patterns in melt variability, sediment transport, and large-scale glacier dynamics. Despite strong empirical correlations, the quantitative relationship between tremor characteristics and discharge remains poorly constrained. Meanwhile, existing theoretical models lack rigorous validation. This research integrates stream gauge records and passive seismic observations with hydrological modelling to develop an empirical model of the tremor-discharge relationship. Preliminary results reaffirm the correlation between tremor amplitude and discharge, while revealing that existing weather-dependent melt models cannot adequately capture discharge patterns observed in Southeast Alaska. Incorporating an inverse model from the observed discharge using multivariate linear regression reduces uncertainty associated with weather variability and topographic controls. Expanding the analysis across multiple glaciers in Alaska and Central Europe allows for evaluation and correction of local factors, such as glacier size, ice geometry, and receiver-conduit distance, on tremor behavior to better compare results with theoretical models. Ultimately, this work aims to advance the capacity to use seismic methods as a reliable proxy for subglacial discharge, offering valuable insights into large-scale glacier processes and enhancing our ability to predict glacier change.