Comparative dynamics of individual glaciers of the latitudinal transect (Kodar–Himalayas)

DOI: 10.35595/2414-9179-2024-1-30-568-580

View or download the article (Rus)

About the Authors

Aleksandr D. Kitov

V.B. Sochava Institute of Geography SB RAS,
1, Ulan-Batorskaya str., Irkutsk, 664033, Russia,
E-mail: kitov@irigs.irk.ru

Viktor M. Plyusnin

V.B. Sochava Institute of Geography SB RAS,
1, Ulan-Batorskaya str., Irkutsk, 664033, Russia,
E-mail: plyusnin@irigs.irk.ru

Abstract

Landsat remote sensing data make it possible to analyze the state of nival-glacial objects in various areas of modern glaciation with a periodicity of up to 5 years. One of the indicative and well-decipherable characteristics of such objects is the open area of the glacier. The latitudinal transect from the northern glaciation regions of Southern Siberia to the Himalayas makes it possible to present the dynamics of glaciers on the example of individual glaciers of key regions from this perspective with a five-year periodicity. Along the transect, the dynamics of glaciers in the mountains is shown: Kodar, Barguzinsky Range, Baikal Range, Eastern Sayan (Topografov Peak and Munku-Sardyk massifs), Mongolian Altai, Tien Shan, Himalayas. An analysis of changes in the open part of the glaciers of some representatives of these mountains is given. Throughout the transect, glaciers shrink, but to varying degrees. There is a decrease in glaciers and an increase in the intensity of surface moraine armor to a greater extent in the northern part of the transect. Based on the data of remote sensing of the Earth (Landsat), a comparison of the dynamics of the selected glaciers Azarova (No. 20, Kodar), Urel-Amutis (Barguzinsky Ridge), Chersky (Baikal Range), Peretolchina (No. 31, Munku-Sardyk), Topografov (No. 18, Okinsky Ridge), Tsast-Ula (No. 8, Tsambagarav), Karlygtag (Tien Shan), Altyntag (No. 3, Kunlun) and Yubra (No. 30, Langtang) was carried out. From the mid-1970s, when Landsat imagery began, to the present day, glaciers have shrunk in area from 17 to 63 percent. The glaciers of the northern part of the transect are shrinking more smoothly compared to the southern part. In the southern part, there is a reduction and slowdown, and sometimes an increase in the open part of the glaciers with a periodicity of about 10 years. The Himalayan glacier has the most uneven dynamics. The rate of glacier shrinkage decreases from south to north of the transect. The Azarova glacier is shrinking at a rate of 0.007 km2/year, the Urel-Amutis glacier is shrinking at a rate of 0.005, the Chersky glacier is shrinking at a rate of 0.002, the Peretolchina glacier is shrinking at a rate of 0.012, the Topografov glacier is shrinking at a rate of 0.002, the Tsast-Ula glacier is shrinking at a rate of 0.056, the Altyntag glacier is shrinking at a rate of 0.013, the Karlyktag glacier is shrinking at a rate of 0.07, and the Yubra glacier is shrinking at a rate of 0.085.

Keywords

GIS, Landsat data, glacier, remote sensing, transect

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For citation: Kitov A.D., Plyusnin V.M. Comparative dynamics of individual glaciers of the latitudinal transect (Kodar–Himalayas). InterCarto. InterGIS. Moscow: MSU, Faculty of Geography, 2024. V. 30. Part 1. P. 568–580. DOI: 10.35595/2414-9179-2024-1-30-568-580 (in Russian)