01558nas a2200169   4500008004100000022001400041245007400055210006900129260000800198300001100206490000600217520102800223100002801251700002101279700002001300856006801320       2016                        eng d  a2296-646300a{Bayesian Inference of Subglacial Topography Using Mass Conservation}0 aBayesian Inference of Subglacial Topography Using Mass Conservat  cfeb  a1–270 v43 aWe develop a Bayesian model for estimating ice thickness given sparse observations coupled with estimates of surface mass balance, surface elevation change, and surface velocity. These fields are related through mass conservation. We use the Metropolis-Hastings algorithm to sample from the posterior probability distribution of ice thickness for three cases: a synthetic mountain glacier, ̈ Storglaci aren, and Jakobshavn Isbræ. Use of continuity in interpolation improves thickness estimates where relative velocity and surface mass balance errors are small, a condition difficult to maintain in regions of slow flow and surface mass balance near zero. Estimates of thickness uncertainty depend sensitively on spatial correlation. When this structure is known, we suggest a thickness measurement spacing of one to two times the correlation length to take best advantage of continuity based interpolation techniques. To determine ideal measurement spacing, the structure of spatial correlation must be better quantified.1 aBrinkerhoff, Douglas, J1 aAschwanden, Andy1 aTruffer, Martin  uhttp://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/feart.2016.00008