Estimation of multi-period glacier mass balance in southeast Tibet using high-resolution remote sensing observations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yushan Zhou ◽  
Zhiwei Li ◽  
Xin Li ◽  
Donghai Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Mass Loss ◽  
Mass Balance ◽  
Tibet Plateau ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Southeastern Part ◽  
Glacier Changes ◽  
Southeast Tibet ◽  
Proglacial Lake ◽  
Basal Melting

<p>Glaciers in the southeastern part of the Tibet Plateau (TP) have experienced the most rapid mass loss over the High Mountain Asia. Hence, a multi-period investigation on the mass balance with focus on how glaciers evolve is imperative for better understanding of the glacier dynamics responding to climate change. Taking the Yanong glacier connected with a proglacial lake in the southeast TP as an example, we estimate the glacier mass budget at multiple-year and interannual timescales via reproducing a multiple-period DEM datasets, including KH-9 (1975), SRTM (2000), TanDEM-X (2011<strong>−</strong>2014) and SPOT-7 (2015) DEMs. We also estimate the penetration depths of both X- and C-band radar using Pléiades stereo images and TanDEM-X data , which are found to be 3.2 m and 4.5 m on average in this area. The results show that the Yanong glacier has been subject to an accelerated mass loss over the past four decades (1975<strong>−</strong>2015), and the tendency of surface thinning spread from low altitudes to high altitudes. Specifically, the mass balance of the Yanong glacier changes from <strong>−</strong>0.50 ± 0.13 m w.e./a (1974<strong>−</strong>2000) to <strong>−</strong>0.95 ± 0.13 m w.e./a (2000<strong>−</strong>2012) and to <strong>−</strong>1.02 ± 0.31 m w.e./a (2012<strong>−</strong>2015) at the multi-year timescale. A serious surface subsidence event is noted in areas that are about 2 km away from the glacier fronts after 2012, which are possibly caused by the internal/basal melting or collapsing. After further analyzing the evolution process of the proglacial lake, we found that the continuous disintegration of the glacier fronts may be the main reason for the accelerated mass deficit.</p><p> </p>

scholarly journals Longest time series of glacier mass changes in the Himalaya based on stereo imagery

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 2593-2613 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Bolch ◽  
T. Pieczonka ◽  
D. I. Benn
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Mass Loss ◽  
Mass Balance ◽  
Aerial Images ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Glacier Changes ◽  
Debris Cover ◽  
Stereo Imagery ◽  
Glacier Velocity ◽  
The Himalaya

Abstract. Mass loss of Himalayan glaciers has wide-ranging consequences such as declining water resources, sea level rise and an increasing risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). The assessment of the regional and global impact of glacier changes in the Himalaya is, however, hampered by a lack of mass balance data for most of the range. Multi-temporal digital terrain models (DTMs) allow glacier mass balance to be calculated since the availability of stereo imagery. Here we present the longest time series of mass changes in the Himalaya and show the high value of early stereo spy imagery such as Corona (years 1962 and 1970) aerial images and recent high resolution satellite data (Cartosat-1) to calculate a time series of glacier changes south of Mt. Everest, Nepal. We reveal that the glaciers are significantly losing mass with an increasing rate since at least ~1970, despite thick debris cover. The specific mass loss is 0.32 ± 0.08 m w.e. a−1, however, not higher than the global average. The spatial patterns of surface lowering can be explained by variations in debris-cover thickness, glacier velocity, and ice melt due to exposed ice cliffs and ponds.

scholarly journals High Mountain Asian glacier response to climate revealed by multi-temporal satellite observations since the 1960s

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Atanu Bhattacharya ◽  
Tobias Bolch ◽  
Kriti Mukherjee ◽  
Owen King ◽  
Brian Menounos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Loss ◽  
River Flow ◽  
Tien Shan ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Temperature And Precipitation ◽  
Multi Temporal ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
Northern Tien Shan

AbstractKnowledge about the long-term response of High Mountain Asian glaciers to climatic variations is paramount because of their important role in sustaining Asian river flow. Here, a satellite-based time series of glacier mass balance for seven climatically different regions across High Mountain Asia since the 1960s shows that glacier mass loss rates have persistently increased at most sites. Regional glacier mass budgets ranged from −0.40 ± 0.07 m w.e.a−1 in Central and Northern Tien Shan to −0.06 ± 0.07 m w.e.a−1 in Eastern Pamir, with considerable temporal and spatial variability. Highest rates of mass loss occurred in Central Himalaya and Northern Tien Shan after 2015 and even in regions where glaciers were previously in balance with climate, such as Eastern Pamir, mass losses prevailed in recent years. An increase in summer temperature explains the long-term trend in mass loss and now appears to drive mass loss even in regions formerly sensitive to both temperature and precipitation.

scholarly journals Geodetic Mass Balance of Haxilegen Glacier No. 51, Eastern Tien Shan, from 1964 to 2018

2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 272
Author(s):  
Chunhai Xu ◽  
Zhongqin Li ◽  
Feiteng Wang ◽  
Jianxin Mu ◽  
Xin Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Mass Loss ◽  
Mass Balance ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Tien Shan ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Topographic Map ◽  
Glacier Surface ◽  
Elevation Changes ◽  
Geodetic Mass Balance

The eastern Tien Shan hosts substantial mid-latitude glaciers, but in situ glacier mass balance records are extremely sparse. Haxilegen Glacier No. 51 (eastern Tien Shan, China) is one of the very few well-measured glaciers, and comprehensive glaciological measurements were implemented from 1999 to 2011 and re-established in 2017. Mass balance of Haxilegen Glacier No. 51 (1999–2015) has recently been reported, but the mass balance record has not extended to the period before 1999. Here, we used a 1:50,000-scale topographic map and long-range terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) data to calculate the area, volume, and mass changes for Haxilegen Glacier No. 51 from 1964 to 2018. Haxilegen Glacier No. 51 lost 0.34 km2 (at a rate of 0.006 km2 a−1 or 0.42% a−1) of its area during the period 1964–2018. The glacier experienced clearly negative surface elevation changes and geodetic mass balance. Thinning occurred almost across the entire glacier surface, with a mean value of −0.43 ± 0.12 m a−1. The calculated average geodetic mass balance was −0.36 ± 0.12 m w.e. a−1. Without considering the error bounds of mass balance estimates, glacier mass loss over the past 50 years was in line with the observed and modeled mass balance (−0.37 ± 0.22 m w.e. a−1) that was published for short time intervals since 1999 but was slightly less negative than glacier mass loss in the entire eastern Tien Shan. Our results indicate that Riegl VZ®-6000 TLS can be widely used for mass balance measurements of unmonitored individual glaciers.

Reconstructing the runoff and mass changes of a maritime Tibetan glacier since 1975

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Achille Jouberton ◽  
Thomas E. Shaw ◽  
Evan Miles ◽  
Shaoting Ren ◽  
Wei Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Loss ◽  
Mass Balance ◽  
Summer Monsoon ◽  
Indian Summer Monsoon ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Distributed Model ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
The Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Weather Station ◽  
Runoff Simulation

<p>Glaciers are key components of the water towers of Asia and as such are relied upon by large downstream communities for domestic, agricultural and industrial uses. They have experienced considerable shrinking over the last decades, with some of the highest rates of mass loss observed in the south-eastern part of the Tibetan Plateau, where mass loss is also accelerating.  Despite these rapid changes, Tibetan glaciers’ changing role in catchment hydrology remains largely unknown. Parlung No.4 Glacier is considered as a benchmark glacier in this region, since its meteorology, surface energy fluxes and mass-balance have been examined since 2006. It is a maritime glacier with a spring (April-May) accumulation regime , which is followed by a period of ablation during the Indian Summer Monsoon (typically June-September). Here, we conduct a glacio-hydrological study over a period of five decades (1978-2018) using a fully distributed model for glacier mass balance and runoff simulation (TOPKAPI-ETH). We force the model with ERA5-Land and China Meteorological Forcing Dataset (CMFD) climate reanalysis downscaled to a local weather station to reconstruct meteorological time series at an hourly resolution. TOPKAPI-ETH is calibrated and validated with automatic weather station data, discharge measurements, geodetic mass balance, stake measurements and snow cover data from MODIS. We find a very clear acceleration in mass loss from 2000 onwards, which is mostly explained by an increase in temperature. This influence however was initially compensated by an increase in precipitation until the 2000’s, which attenuated the negative trend. Our results also indicate that the increase in the liquid-solid precipitation ratio has reduced the amount of seasonal accumulation, exacerbating annual mass loss. We demonstrate that the southern westerlies and the associated spring precipitation have as much influence on the glacier mass balance and catchment discharge as the Indian Summer Monsoon, by controlling seasonal snowpack development, which simultaneously provides mass to the glacier and protects it from melting in the early stage of the monsoon.</p>

scholarly journals A near 90-year record of the evolution of El Morado Glacier and its proglacial lake, Central Chilean Andes

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (259) ◽  
pp. 846-860 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Farías-Barahona ◽  
Ryan Wilson ◽  
Claudio Bravo ◽  
Sebastián Vivero ◽  
Alexis Caro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Central Andes ◽  
Balance Model ◽  
Water Volume ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
Surface Mass ◽  
Area Loss ◽  
Proglacial Lake

AbstractUsing an ensemble of close- and long-range remote sensing, lake bathymetry and regional meteorological data, we present a detailed assessment of the geometric changes of El Morado Glacier in the Central Andes of Chile and its adjacent proglacial lake between 1932 and 2019. Overall, the results revealed a period of marked glacier down wasting, with a mean geodetic glacier mass balance of −0.39 ± 0.15 m w.e.a−1 observed for the entire glacier between 1955 and 2015 with an area loss of 40% between 1955 and 2019. We estimate an ice elevation change of −1.00 ± 0.17 m a−1 for the glacier tongue between 1932 and 2019. The increase in the ice thinning rates and area loss during the last decade is coincident with the severe drought in this region (2010–present), which our minimal surface mass-balance model is able to reproduce. As a result of the glacier changes observed, the proglacial lake increased in area substantially between 1955 and 2019, with bathymetry data suggesting a water volume of 3.6 million m3 in 2017. This study highlights the need for further monitoring of glacierised areas in the Central Andes. Such efforts would facilitate a better understanding of the downstream impacts of glacier downwasting.

scholarly journals Multi-decadal mass loss of glaciers in the Everest area (Nepal Himalaya) derived from stereo imagery

2011 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 349-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Bolch ◽  
T. Pieczonka ◽  
D. I. Benn
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Mass Loss ◽  
Mass Balance ◽  
Aerial Images ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Ice Melt ◽  
Debris Cover ◽  
Stereo Imagery ◽  
Glacier Velocity ◽  
The Himalaya

Abstract. Mass loss of Himalayan glaciers has wide-ranging consequences such as changing runoff distribution, sea level rise and an increasing risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). The assessment of the regional and global impact of glacier changes in the Himalaya is, however, hampered by a lack of mass balance data for most of the range. Multi-temporal digital terrain models (DTMs) allow glacier mass balance to be calculated. Here, we present a time series of mass changes for ten glaciers covering an area of about 50 km2 south and west of Mt. Everest, Nepal, using stereo Corona spy imagery (years 1962 and 1970), aerial images and recent high resolution satellite data (Cartosat-1). This is the longest time series of mass changes in the Himalaya. We reveal that the glaciers have been significantly losing mass since at least 1970, despite thick debris cover. The specific mass loss for 1970–2007 is 0.32 ± 0.08 m w.e. a−1, however, not higher than the global average. Comparisons of the recent DTMs with earlier time periods indicate an accelerated mass loss. This is, however, hardly statistically significant due to high uncertainty, especially of the lower resolution ASTER DTM. The characteristics of surface lowering can be explained by spatial variations of glacier velocity, the thickness of the debris-cover, and ice melt due to exposed ice cliffs and ponds.

scholarly journals The response of glaciers to climatic persistence

2016 ◽  
Vol 62 (233) ◽  
pp. 440-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
GERARD H. ROE ◽  
MARCIA B. BAKER
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Climate Variables ◽  
Glacier Changes ◽  
Actual Degree ◽  
Glacier Length ◽  
Temporal Persistence ◽  
Random Fluctuations ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe attribution of past glacier length fluctuations to changes in climate requires characterizing glacier mass-balance variability. Observational records, which are relatively short, are consistent with random fluctuations uncorrelated in time, plus an anthropogenic trend. However, longer records of other climate variables suggest that, in fact, there is a degree of temporal persistence associated with internal (i.e. unforced) climate variability, and that it varies with location and climate. Therefore, it is likely that persistence does exist for mass balance, but records are too short to confirm its presence, or establish its magnitude, with conventional statistical tests. Extending the previous work, we explore the impact of potential climatic persistence on glacier length fluctuations. We use a numerical model and a newly developed analytical model to establish that persistence, even of a degree so small as to be effectively undetectable in the longest mass-balance records, can significantly enhance the resulting glacier length fluctuations. This has a big impact on glacier-excursion probabilities: what was an extremely unlikely event (<1%) can become virtually certain (>99%), when persistence is incorporated. Since the actual degree of climatic persistence that applies to any given glacier is hard to establish, these results complicate the attribution of past glacier changes.

scholarly journals Local topography increasingly influences the mass balance of a retreating cirque glacier

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlyn Florentine ◽  
Joel Harper ◽  
Daniel Fagre ◽  
Johnnie Moore ◽  
Erich Peitzsch
Keyword(s):  
Mass Loss ◽  
Mass Balance ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Climate Variables ◽  
Climate Data ◽  
Local Effects ◽  
Surface Mass ◽  
Average Mass ◽  
Measured Mass

Abstract. Local topographically driven processes such as wind drifting, avalanching, and shading, are known to alter the relationship between the mass balance of small cirque glaciers and regional climate. Yet partitioning such local effects apart from regional climate influence has proven difficult, creating uncertainty in the climate representativeness of some glaciers. We address this problem for Sperry Glacier in Glacier National Park, USA using field-measured surface mass balance, geodetic constraints on mass balance, and regional climate data recorded at a network of meteorological stations. Geodetically derived mass changes between 1950–1960, 1960–2005, and 2005–2014 document average mass loss rates during each period at −0.22±0.12 m w.e. yr−1, −0.18±0.05 m w.e. yr−1, and −0.10±0.03 m w.e. yr−1. A correlation of field-measured mass balance and regional climate variables closely predicts the geodetically measured mass loss from 2005–2014. However, this correlation overestimates glacier mass balance for 1950–1960 by +1.18±0.92 m w.e. yr−1. This suggests that local effects, not represented in regional climate variables, have become a more dominant driver of the net mass balance as the glacier lost 0.50 km2 and retreated further into its cirque.

scholarly journals A Tri-Approach for Diagnosing Gridded Precipitation Datasets for Watershed Glacio-Hydrological Simulation in Mountain Regions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Shafeeque ◽  
Luo Yi
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Indus Basin ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Multiple Perspectives ◽  
Mountain Regions ◽  
Hydrological Simulation ◽  
Physical Diagnosis ◽  
Annual Variations ◽  
Glacier Changes ◽  
Local Correction

Abstract. In mountain regions, validation and local correction of gridded precipitation datasets (GPDs) are pre-requisites for glacio-hydrological simulations. However, insufficient observed data and glacial involvement make it a complicated task in glacierized watersheds. To diagnose the potential problems in GPDs from multiple perspectives and provide directions for their correction, a Tri-approach framework, consisting of statistical analysis, physical diagnosis, and practical simulation, is proposed. Truc-Budyko theory is introduced into this framework, which can identify the actual under- or over-estimation of GPDs based on watershed water-energy balance, diagnose their possible causes, and provide directions for local correction. This framework was applied to the glacierized Upper Indus Basin (UIB) for evaluating GPDs, including APHRODITE, CFSR, PGMFD, TRMM, and HAR, against adjusted observed precipitation (OBS), specific runoff, and glacier mass balance over varying periods during 1951–2017. The Spatial Processes in HYdrology (SPHY) model was used to simulate the hydrology and glacier changes (2001–2007). The results suggest that (a) patterns of inter- and intra-annual variations of OBS precipitation were better captured by APHRODITE (CC > 0.6), but it was underestimated (−40 %), (b) UIB was characterized as Leaky catchment based on overestimated CFSR (106 %) and HAR (77 %), indicating positive glacier storage changes (0.37 and 0.21 m w.e. yr−1, respectively). In contrast, UIB was characterized as Gaining watershed for remaining underestimated datasets, indicating negative storage changes (−0.42 to −0.34 m w.e. yr−1). (c) For constant mass balance, the simulated runoff was overestimated in SPHY_CFSR (66 %) and SPHY_HAR (53 %), whereas it was underestimated for SPHY_APHRODITE (−41 %), SPHY_PGMFD (−26 %), and SPHY_TRMM (−33 %). It highlights that evaluated GPDs could not generally meet the requirements of the rational output of glacier mass balance and streamflow concurrently. The physical diagnosis directs local correction based on under- and over-estimation. The practical simulation explores the extent of expected uncertainties in intra/inter-annual characteristics of glacio-hydrology.

scholarly journals Mass balances of Yala and Rikha Samba glaciers, Nepal, from 2000 to 2017

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 3791-3818
Author(s):  
Dorothea Stumm ◽  
Sharad Prasad Joshi ◽  
Tika Ram Gurung ◽  
Gunjan Silwal
Keyword(s):  
Mass Loss ◽  
Mass Balance ◽  
Water Resource Management ◽  
Important Variable ◽  
Glacier Mass Balance ◽  
Mass Balances ◽  
Monitoring Strategies ◽  
Length Changes ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Geodetic Mass Balance

Abstract. The glacier mass balance is an important variable to describe the climate system and is used for various applications like water resource management or runoff modelling. The direct or glaciological method and the geodetic method are the standard methods to quantify glacier mass changes, and both methods are an integral part of international glacier monitoring strategies. In 2011, we established two glacier mass-balance programmes on Yala and Rikha Samba glaciers in the Nepal Himalaya. Here we present the methods and data of the directly measured annual mass balances for the first six mass-balance years for both glaciers from 2011/2012 to 2016/2017. For Yala Glacier we additionally present the directly measured seasonal mass balance from 2011 to 2017, as well as the mass balance from 2000 to 2012 obtained with the geodetic method. In addition, we analysed glacier length changes for both glaciers. The directly measured average annual mass-balance rates of Yala and Rikha Samba glaciers are −0.80 ± 0.28 and −0.39 ± 0.32 m w.e. a−1, respectively, from 2011 to 2017. The geodetically measured annual mass-balance rate of Yala Glacier based on digital elevation models from 2000 and 2012 is −0.74 ± 0.53 m w.e. The cumulative mass loss for the period 2011 to 2017 for Yala and Rikha Samba glaciers is −4.80 ± 0.69 and −2.34 ± 0.79 m w.e., respectively. The mass loss on Yala Glacier from 2000 to 2012 is −8.92 ± 6.33 m w.e. The winter balance of Yala Glacier is positive, and the summer balance is negative in every investigated year. The summer balance determines the annual balance. Compared to regional mean geodetic mass-balance rates in the Nepalese Himalaya, the mean mass-balance rate of Rikha Samba Glacier is in a similar range, and the mean mass-balance rate of Yala Glacier is more negative because of the small and low-lying accumulation area. During the study period, a change of Yala Glacier's surface topography has been observed with glacier thinning and downwasting. The retreat rates of Rikha Samba Glacier are higher than for Yala Glacier. From 1989 to 2013, Rikha Samba Glacier retreated 431 m (−18.0 m a−1), and from 1974 to 2016 Yala Glacier retreated 346 m (−8.2 m a−1). The data of the annual and seasonal mass balances, point mass balance, geodetic mass balance, and length changes are accessible from the World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS, 2021), https://doi.org/10.5904/wgms-fog-2021-05.

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