scholarly journals An estimate of glacier mass balance for the Chandra basin, western Himalaya, for the period 1984–2012

2017 ◽  
Vol 58 (75pt2) ◽  
pp. 99-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sayli Atul Tawde ◽  
Anil V. Kulkarni ◽  
Govindasamy Bala
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Water Resource Management ◽  
Western Himalaya ◽  
Ratio Method ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Equilibrium Line Altitude ◽  
Temperature Index ◽  
Field Investigations ◽  
Basin Scale ◽  
Accumulation Area Ratio

ABSTRACTAn improved understanding of fresh water stored in the Himalaya is crucial for water resource management in South Asia and can be inferred from glacier mass-balance estimates. However, field investigations in the rugged Himalaya are limited to a few individual glaciers and short duration. Therefore, we have recently developed an approach that combines satellite-derived snowlines, a temperature-index melt model and the accumulation-area ratio method to estimate annual mass balance of glaciers at basin scale and for a long period. In this investigation, the mass balance of 146 glaciers in the Chandra basin, western Himalaya, is estimated from 1984 to 2012. We estimate the trend in equilibrium line altitude of the basin as +113 m decade−1and the mean mass balance as −0.61 ± 0.46 m w.e. a−1. Our basin-wide mass-balance estimates are in agreement with the geodetic method during 1999–2012. Sensitivity analysis suggests that a 20% increase in precipitation can offset changes in mass balance for a 1 °C temperature rise. A water loss of 18% of the total basin volume is estimated, and 67% for small and low-altitude glaciers during 1984–2012, indicating a looming water scarcity crisis for villages in this valley.

scholarly journals Mass balance of Himalayan glaciers using AAR and ELA methods

1992 ◽  
Vol 38 (128) ◽  
pp. 101-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anil V. Kulkarni
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Western Himalaya ◽  
Positive Mass ◽  
Landsat Images ◽  
Equilibrium Line Altitude ◽  
Zero Mass ◽  
Himalayan Glaciers ◽  
Landsat Satellite ◽  
Accumulation Area Ratio

AbstractThe accumulation area ratio (AAR) for Himalayan glaciers representing zero mass balance is substantially lower than for North America and Europe. Regression analysis suggests 0.44 for the AAR representing zero mass balance in the western Himalaya. A good correlation was observed when this method was applied to individual glaciers such as Gara and Gor-Garang in Himachal Pradesh, India. The correlation coefficients (r), using 6 and 7 years of data, respectively, were 0.88 and 0.96 for Gara and Gor-Garang Glaciers, respectively. However, when data from six western Himalayan glaciers were correlated, the correlation was 0.74. The AAR was also estimated by using Landsat images which can be useful in obtaining a trend in mass balance for a large number of Himalayan glaciers for which very little information exists.A higher correlation was observed between equilibrium-line altitude (ELA) and mass balance. The field data from Gara and Gor-Garang Glaciers shows a high correlation coefficient, i.e. −0.92 and −0.94, respectively. The ELA values obtained from the Landsat satellite images combined with topographic maps suggest positive mass balance for the year 1986–87 and negative for 1987–88.

scholarly journals Mass balance of Himalayan glaciers using AAR and ELA methods

1992 ◽  
Vol 38 (128) ◽  
pp. 101-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anil V. Kulkarni
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Western Himalaya ◽  
Positive Mass ◽  
Landsat Images ◽  
Equilibrium Line Altitude ◽  
Zero Mass ◽  
Himalayan Glaciers ◽  
Landsat Satellite ◽  
Accumulation Area Ratio

AbstractThe accumulation area ratio (AAR) for Himalayan glaciers representing zero mass balance is substantially lower than for North America and Europe. Regression analysis suggests 0.44 for the AAR representing zero mass balance in the western Himalaya. A good correlation was observed when this method was applied to individual glaciers such as Gara and Gor-Garang in Himachal Pradesh, India. The correlation coefficients (r), using 6 and 7 years of data, respectively, were 0.88 and 0.96 for Gara and Gor-Garang Glaciers, respectively. However, when data from six western Himalayan glaciers were correlated, the correlation was 0.74. The AAR was also estimated by using Landsat images which can be useful in obtaining a trend in mass balance for a large number of Himalayan glaciers for which very little information exists.A higher correlation was observed between equilibrium-line altitude (ELA) and mass balance. The field data from Gara and Gor-Garang Glaciers shows a high correlation coefficient, i.e. −0.92 and −0.94, respectively. The ELA values obtained from the Landsat satellite images combined with topographic maps suggest positive mass balance for the year 1986–87 and negative for 1987–88.

Development of basinal scale glacier mass balance model: an approach based on satellite observation and energy balance components

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akansha Patel ◽  
Ajanta Goswami ◽  
Thamban Meloth ◽  
Parmanand Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Mass Balance ◽  
Water Resource Management ◽  
Water Storage ◽  
Balance Model ◽  
Future Climate Change ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Observation Data ◽  
Basin Scale ◽  
The Impact

<p>The understanding of fresh water storage in the Himalayan region is essential for water resource management of the region. As glacier mass balance is a difference between the input and output water storage in a glacier over a period, glacier mass balance can be used as an indirect method to understand the storage. In the northwestern Himalaya, microscale meteorological stations are needed for mass balance estimation due to rugged terrain and complex topography of this region. However, there are only few meteorological stations available in that region. Therefore, in this study, we have developed a new model for glacier mass balance estimation at basinal scale. This model  includes the parameterization of energy balance components viz. albedo, longwave radiation, shortwave radiation, sensible heat, latent heat and heat flux at spatial and temporal scale using earth observation data. The modeling of air temperature is performed using the multi-regression analysis over the Chenab basin of the Indian Himalayas. Simulation is driven with the 16-days Landsat optical and thermal data from 2015 to 2018 that can be used for parameterization of the variable. This model is calibrated and validated with the field data of period 2015-2016. Further, the impact of climatic change and their influence on mass balance was also assessed to understand the future glacier health and mass changes. In contrast to previous temperature index based basin scale models, this model includes most of the energy balance components for better estimation of glacier mass balance. The model can also be used to estimate possible responses of the world’s glaciers to future climate change.</p>

scholarly journals First in situ record of decadal glacier mass balance (2003–2014) from the Bhutan Himalaya

2016 ◽  
Vol 57 (71) ◽  
pp. 289-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phuntsho Tshering ◽  
Koji Fujita
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Direct Method ◽  
Eastern Himalaya ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Differential Gps ◽  
Humid Climate ◽  
Equilibrium Line Altitude ◽  
The Past ◽  
Southeastern Tibet

AbstractThis study presents the first decadal mass-balance record of a small debris-free glacier in the Bhutan Himalaya, where few in situ measurements have been reported to date. Since 2003 we have measured the mass balance of Gangju La glacier, which covers an area of 0.3km2 and extends from 4900 to 5200ma.s.l., using both differential GPS surveys (geodetic method) and stake measurements (direct method). The observed mass balance ranged from –1.12 to –2.04mw.e. a–1 between 2003 and 2014. The glacier exhibited much greater mass loss than neighbouring glaciers in the eastern Himalaya and southeastern Tibet, which are expected to be sensitive to climate change due to the monsooninfluenced humid climate. Observed mass-balance profiles suggest that the equilibrium-line altitude has been higher than Gangju La glacier since 2003, implying that the entire glacier has experienced net ablation for at least the past decade.

scholarly journals Simulating the effects of mean annual air-temperature changes on permafrost distribution and glacier size: an example from the Upper Engadin, Swiss Alps

1995 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. 399-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Hoelzle ◽  
Wilfried Haeberli
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Swiss Alps ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Equilibrium Line Altitude ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
Model Calculations ◽  
Glacier Terminus ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Mean Annual Air Temperature

Models are developed to simulate changes in permafrost distribution and glacier size in mountain areas. The models exclusively consider equilibrium conditions. As a first application, the simplified assumption is used that one single parameter (mean annual air temperature) is changing. Permafrost distribution patterns are estimated for a test area (Corvatsch-Furtschellas) and for the whole Upper Engadin region (eastern Swiss Alps) using a relation between permafrost occurrence as indicated by BTS (bottom temperature of the winter snow cover) measurements, potential direct solar radiation and mean annual air temperature. Glacier sizes were assessed in the same region with data from the World Glacier Inventory database. The simulations for the glaciers are based on the assumption that an increase or decrease in equilibrium-line altitude (ELA) would lead to a mass-balance change. Model calculations for potential future changes in ELA and mass balance include estimated developments of area, length and volume. Mass changes were also calculated for the time period 1850–1973 on the basis of measured cumulative length change, glacier length and estimated ablation at the glacier terminus. For the time period since 1850, permafrost became inactive or disappeared in about 15% of the area originally underlain by permafrost in the whole Upper Engadin region, and mean annual glacier mass balance was calculated as −0.26 to −0.46 m w.e.a−1 for the larger glaciers in the same area. The estimated loss in glacier volume since 1850 lies between 55% and 66% of the original value. With an assumed increase in mean annual air temperature of +3°C, the area of supposed permafrost occurrence would possibly be reduced by about 65% with respect to present-day conditions and only three glaciers would continue to partially exist.

scholarly journals Region-wide glacier mass balances over the Pamir-Karakoram-Himalaya during 1999–2011

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 1263-1286 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Gardelle ◽  
E. Berthier ◽  
Y. Arnaud ◽  
A. Kääb
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Western Himalaya ◽  
Mass Gain ◽  
Shuttle Radar Topography Mission ◽  
Eastern Himalaya ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Mass Balances ◽  
Grace Data ◽  
Stereo Imagery ◽  
Study Sites

Abstract. The recent evolution of Pamir-Karakoram-Himalaya (PKH) glaciers, widely acknowledged as valuable high-altitude as well as mid-latitude climatic indicators, remains poorly known. To estimate the region-wide glacier mass balance for 9 study sites spread from the Pamir to the Hengduan Shan (eastern Himalaya), we compared the 2000 Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) digital elevation model (DEM) to recent (2008–2011) DEMs derived from SPOT5 stereo imagery. During the last decade, the region-wide glacier mass balances were contrasted with moderate mass losses in the eastern and central Himalaya (−0.22 ± 0.12 m w.e. yr−1 to −0.33 ± 0.14 m w.e. yr−1) and larger losses in the western Himalaya (−0.45 ± 0.13 m w.e. yr−1). Recently reported slight mass gain or balanced mass budget of glaciers in the central Karakoram is confirmed for a larger area (+0.10 ± 0.16 m w.e. yr−1) and also observed for glaciers in the western Pamir (+0.14 ± 0.13 m w.e. yr−1). Thus, the "Karakoram anomaly" should be renamed the "Pamir-Karakoram anomaly", at least for the last decade. The overall mass balance of PKH glaciers, −0.14 ± 0.08 m w.e. yr−1, is two to three times less negative than the global average for glaciers distinct from the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets. Together with recent studies using ICESat and GRACE data, DEM differencing confirms a contrasted pattern of glacier mass change in the PKH during the first decade of the 21st century.

scholarly journals Reconstruction of the annual mass balance of Chhota Shigri glacier, Western Himalaya, India, since 1969

2014 ◽  
Vol 55 (66) ◽  
pp. 69-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohd Farooq Azam ◽  
Patrick Wagnon ◽  
Christian Vincent ◽  
Alagappan Ramanathan ◽  
Anurag Linda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Western Himalaya ◽  
Winter Precipitation ◽  
Temperature Index ◽  
Temperature And Precipitation ◽  
Chhota Shigri Glacier ◽  
Decadal Scale ◽  
Climatic Drivers ◽  
Precipitation Records ◽  
Significant Mass Loss

AbstractThis study presents a reconstruction of the mass balance (MB) of Chhota Shigri glacier, Western Himalaya, India, and discusses the regional climatic drivers responsible for its evolution since 1969. The MB is reconstructed by a temperature-index and an accumulation model using daily air-temperature and precipitation records from the nearest meteorological station, at Bhuntar Observatory. The only adjusted parameter is the altitudinal precipitation gradient. The model is calibrated against 10 years of annual altitudinal MB measurements between 2002 and 2012 and decadal cumulative MBs between 1988 and 2010. Three periods were distinguished in the MB series. Periods I (1969-85) and III (2001-12) show significant mass loss at MB rates of -0.36±0.36 and -0.57±0.36mw.e.a-1 respectively, whereas period II (1986-2000) exhibits steady-state conditions with average MBs of -0.01 ±0.36mw.e.a–1. The comparison among these three periods suggests that winter precipitation and summer temperature are almost equally important drivers controlling the MB pattern of Chhota Shigri glacier at decadal scale. The sensitivity of the modelled glacier-wide MB to temperature is -0.52 m w.e. a–1 °C–1 whereas the sensitivity to precipitation is calculated as 0.16mw.e.a-1 for a 10% change.

scholarly journals The Mass Balance Of Blue Glacier, Washington, U.S.A. 1956–1986

1990 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard L. Armstrong
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Equilibrium Line Altitude ◽  
The Past ◽  
Winter Snow ◽  
Positive Balance ◽  
Recent Climate ◽  
Strong Gradient ◽  
Accumulation Area Ratio ◽  
Mass Increase ◽  
Measured Mass

Mass-balance data for Blue Glacier are presented for the 31-year period 1956–86. The glacier location is strongly maritime with annual precipitation of 3500 to 5000 mm, most of which falls as winter snow. The low elevation of the glacier results in large amounts of summer ablation and thus significant annual mass exchange. Blue Glacier has been in approximate equilibrium with recent climate during the past 30 years with a slightly positive mean annual net balance of 0.3 m and a terminus advance of 150 m. Comparison with other glaciers in western North America indicates that this pattern of mass increase in response to recent climate is not typical but may be specific to a maritime location. Due to heavy amounts of winter snowfall, an accumulation area ratio of only 0.5 is sufficient to maintain a zero balance on Blue Glacier. A strong gradient of increasing snowfall with elevation contributes to a linear relationship between net balance and elevation throughout the total altitude range of the glacier. This relationship is consistent over the period of record and is not dependent on an overall net positive balance, as the pattern persists even during periods of strongly negative mass balance. A relationship between measured mass balance and equilibrium-line altitude provides a reasonable method to compute mass balance.

scholarly journals An evaluation of mass-balance methods applied to Castle creek Glacier, British Columbia, Canada

2014 ◽  
Vol 60 (220) ◽  
pp. 262-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew J. Beedle ◽  
Brian Menounos ◽  
Roger Wheate
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Vertical Component ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Gps Measurements ◽  
Mountain Glacier ◽  
Temperature Index ◽  
Detailed Understanding ◽  
Index Model ◽  
Photogrammetric Method ◽  
Ice Velocity

AbstractWe estimate the glacier mass balance of a 9.5 km2 mountain glacier using three approaches for balance years 2009, 2010 and 2011. The photogrammetric, GPS and glaciological methods yielded sampling densities of 100, 5 and 2 points km-2, with measurement precisions of ± 0.40, ± 0.10 and ± 0.10 m w.e. respectively. Our glaciological measurements likely include a positive bias, due to omission of internal and basal mass balance, and uncertainty in determining the interface between snow and firn with a probe (±0.10 m w.e.). Measurements from our photogrammetric method include a negative bias introduced by the manual operator and our temperature index model used to correct for different dates of imaging (0.15 m w.e.), whereas GPS measurements avoid these biases. The photogrammetric and GPS methods are suitable for estimating glacier-wide annual mass balance, and thus provide a valuable measure that complements the glaciological method. These approaches, however, cannot be used to estimate mass balance at a point or mass-balance profiles without a detailed understanding of the vertical component of ice velocity.

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