Reconstructing the pattern of the Bara Shigri Glacier fluctuation since the end of the Little Ice Age, Chandra valley, north-western Himalaya

The pattern of glacial records since the end of the Little Ice Age (LIA) are essential for evaluating glacier fluctuations and their link to post-LIA climate change. Although recession of the Himalayan glaciers is well-documented in this period, debate continues as to the magnitude and accuracy of estimated recession rates. This study presents a reconstruction of the pattern of fluctuations at the Bara Shigri Glacier in the Himachal Himalaya during the termination of the LIA (∼1850). A multi-data integrative analysis (MDIA) technique consisting of repeat terrestrial photographs, historical archives and reports, geomorphological evidence and maps, and high to medium spatial resolution satellite images (Corona, Hexagon, Landsat and WorldView-2) was used with supplemented by extensive field validation. The results indicate that during the early part of the 19th century the terminus of Bara Shigri Glacier was at ∼3900 m asl. Following this, there was a continuous recession with a total retreat of 2898 ± 50 m, which corresponds to a frontal areal loss of 4 ± 1 km2 in the last 151 years (1863–2014). Compared to this, during the last half century (1965–2014), the glacierised area was reduced by 1.1 ± 0.02 km2 with a concomitant terminus retreat of 1100 ± 32 m. The early 19th century advance is ascribed to a combination of cooling during this period, glacier topographical characteristics and contributions from steep-fronted avalanching tributaries. The late 19th century recession can be attributed to an overall increase in the temperature with a corresponding decrease in precipitation in the north-western Himalaya. Results are at variance with earlier, larger estimates of the frontal area loss for the Bara Shigri Glacier using either Survey of India (SoI) topographic maps or coarse spatial resolution satellite images (e.g. Landsat MSS) as historical datasets, and demonstrate the utility of mixed method approaches including higher-resolution satellite imagery for accurate estimation of glacier behaviour in this region.

The Bara Shigri Glacier, Kangra District, East Punjab, India

During the monsoon of 1956 the Geological Survey of India sponsored an expedition to the Bara Shigri Glacier (lat. 32° 16′N., long. 77° 40′E), Kangra District, in the great Himalayan ranges of the Punjab, as part of the Indian programme for the International Geophysical Year 1956–57. Topographical maps of the terminal 3 miles of the glacier, on scales of 1:63.360 and 1:10,000, were prepared for comparison of morphological changes since it was last surveyed 50 years ago. The glacier appears to have shrunk considerably but its full extent could not be assessed because of insufficient earlier data. The Shigri Stream now emerges from a different part of the glacier snout. In order to assist future surveys three photographic stations were established.

The Bara Shigri Glacier, Kangra District, East Punjab, India

During the monsoon of 1956 the Geological Survey of India sponsored an expedition to the Bara Shigri Glacier (lat. 32° 16′N., long. 77° 40′E), Kangra District, in the great Himalayan ranges of the Punjab, as part of the Indian programme for the International Geophysical Year 1956–57. Topographical maps of the terminal 3 miles of the glacier, on scales of 1:63.360 and 1:10,000, were prepared for comparison of morphological changes since it was last surveyed 50 years ago. The glacier appears to have shrunk considerably but its full extent could not be assessed because of insufficient earlier data. The Shigri Stream now emerges from a different part of the glacier snout. In order to assist future surveys three photographic stations were established.