Variation of Snowline and Mass Balance of Glaciers of Warwan and Bhut Basins of Western Himalaya Using Remote Sensing Technique

Glaciers are natural reservoirs of fresh water in frozen state and sensitive indicators of climate change. Among all the mountainous glaciated regions, glaciers of Himalayas form one of the largest concentrations of ice outside the Polar Regions. Almost all the major rivers of northern India originate from these glaciers and sustain perennial flow. Therefore, in view of the importance and role of the glaciers in sustaining the life on the Earth, monitoring the health of glaciers is necessary. Glacier??s health is monitored in two ways (i) by mapping the change in extent of glaciers (ii) by finding variation in the annual mass balance. This paper has been discussed the later approach for monitoring the health of glaciers of Warwan and Bhut basins. Mass balance of glaciers of these two basins was determined based on the extraction of snow line at the end of ablation season. A series of satellite images of AWiFS sensor were analysed for extraction of snowline on the glaciers for the period of 2005, 2006 and 2007. The snow line at the end of ablation season is used to compute accumulation area ratio (AAR = Accumulation area/Glacier area) for each glacier of basins. An approach based on relationship of AAR to specific mass balance (computed in field) for glaciers of Basapa basin was employed in the present study. Mean of specific mass balance of individual glacier for the year 2005, 2006 and 2007 of Warwan basin was found to be ?ve 0.19?m, ?ve 0.27?m and ?ve 0.2?m respectively. It is 0.05?m, ?ve 0.11?m and ?ve 0.19?m for Bhut basin. The analysis suggests a loss of 4.3 and 0.83?km3 of glacier in the monitoring period of 3?years for Warwan and Bhut basins respectively. The overall results suggest that the glaciers of Warwan basin and Bhut basins have suffered more loss of ice than gain in the monitoring period of 3?years.     

Estimation of Snow Cover Area,Snow Physical Properties and Glacier Classification in Parts of Western Himalayas Using C-Band SAR Data

Snow physical properties, snow cover and glacier facies are important parameters which are used to quantify snowpack characteristics, glacier mass balance and seasonal snow and glacier melt. This study has been done using C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data of Indian radar imaging satellite, radar imaging satellite-1 (RISAT)-1, to estimate the seasonal snow cover and retrieve snow physical properties (snow wetness and snow density), and glacier radar zones or facies classification in parts of North West Himalaya (NWH), India. Additional SAR data used are of Radarsat-2 (RS-2) satellite, which was used for glacier facies classification of Smudra Tapu glacier in Himachal Pradesh. RISAT-1 based snow cover area (SCA) mapping, snow wetness and snow density retrieval and glacier facies classification have been done for the first time in NWH region. SAR-based inversion models were used for finding out wet and dry snow dielectric constant, dry and wet SCA, snow wetness and snow density. RISAT-1 medium resolution scan-SAR mode (MRS) in HV polarization was used for first time in NWH for deriving time series of SCA maps in Beas and Bhagirathi river basins for years 2013–2014. The SAR-based inversion models were implemented separately for RISAT-1 quad pol. FRS2, for wet snow and dry snow permittivity retrieval. Masks for layover and shadow were considered in estimating final snow parameters. The overall accuracy in terms of R² value comes out to be 0.74 for snow wetness and 0.72 for snow density based on the limited ground truth data for subset area of Manali sub-basin of Beas River up to Manali for winter of 2014. Accuracy for SCA was estimated to be 95 % when compared with optical remote sensing based SCA maps with error of ±10 %. The time series data of RISAT-1 MRS and hybrid data in RH/RV mode based decompositions were also used for glacier radar zones classification for Gangotri and Samudra Tapu glaciers. The various glaciers radar zones or facies such as debris covered glacier ice, clean or bare glacier ice radar zone, percolation/refreeze radar zone and wet snow, ice wall etc., were identified. The accuracy of classified maps was estimated using ground truth data collected during 2013 and 2014 glacier field work to Samudra Tapu and Gangotri glaciers and overall accuracy was found to be in range of 82–90 %. This information of various glacier radar zones can be utilized in marking firn line of glaciers, which can be helpful for glacier mass balance studies.     

Extraction of Glacio-Geomorphological Units of Tons River Watershed Based on Remote Sensing Techniques

Tons basin has the maximum share of glaciers, more than 50 glaciers, as well as glacierised area in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh and the majority of the glaciers are of valley type. One of the important features of the glaciers of Tons valley is the presence of a thick mantle of supraglaciers moraine cover which can be attributed to the terrain characteristics, besides, the avalanche fed nature of the glaciers. The present study is the extraction of Glacio-geomorphological unit of Tons River basin based on the visual interpretation of remote sensing data. It was very much difficult in field, to extract all glacio-geomorphological units in glaciated area, but based on the remote sensing data, it becomes easy to identify. With the help of glacio-geomorphological map it has been found that four most important glaciers which fed the Tons River are Bandarpunch Glacier, Jaundar Bamak glacier, Jhajju Bamak and Tilku glacier. The tributaries of Tons River i.e. Harkidun Gad, Rupin Nadi and Supin Nadi are mainly fed by the mountain glaciers, valley glaciers and glacier lakes. The erosional terraces, glacio-fluvial terraces, open ??U?? shaped valleys, proglacial lake, lateral moraines, terminal moraines, palaeo-cirque and debris/talus cones are well developed in this glaciated regions. Glacio-geomorphic features are very much significant for palaeo-climatic reconstruction, showing variations, temporally and spatially. At the same time, these landforms, which are also altered by processes prevailing during interglacial period, helps in the geo-environment studies and glacier related problems like avalanches, global warming and cloudburst etc.     

Detection of Changes in Glacier Mass Balance Using Satellite and Meteorological Data in Tirungkhad Basin Located in Western Himalaya

Himalayan glaciers and their mass balance are poorly sampled through direct mass balance measurements. Thus, based on Landsat datasets of ETM⁺ (2000), ETM⁺ (2006) and TM (2011), mass balance studies of 32 glaciers was carried out using accumulation area ratio (AAR) method in the Tirungkhad river basin, a tributary of Satluj River, located in western Himalayan region. The overall specific mass balance was negative varying from ?27 cm (2000) to ?41 cm (2011). Out of 32 glaciers, 27 glaciers (81.2 %) showed negative mean mass balance and 5 glaciers (18.7 %) showed positive mean mass balance. Mean of specific mass balance for the year 2000, 2006 and 2011 was found to be ?48 cm, ?55 cm and ?0.61 cm respectively, in case of glaciers with negative mass balance while in case of glaciers with positive mass balance, it was 0.67 cm (2000), 0.56 cm (2006) and 0.47 cm (2011). The investigations suggested a loss of ?0.034 km³ of glacial ice for 2000, 0.036 km³ for 2006 and 0.038 km³ for 2011 respectively. The negative mass balance of the glaciers since 2000 correlates well with the increasing trend of annual mean temperature and decreasing trend of precipitation (snow water equivalent (SWE) and rainfall). Based on Mann Kendall test the temperature and SWE trends were significant at 95 % confidence level, however, the rainfall trend was insignificant.     

Recent glacier changes in the Kashmir Alpine Himalayas,India

Using Landsat data at decadal interval (1980–2013), the glacier fluctuations (glacier area, equilibrium line altitude and specific mass balance) of nine benchmark glaciers in Kashmir Himalaya were estimated. The observed changes were related to topographic and climatic variables in order to understand their influence. From the data analysis, it was observed that the glaciers have shrunk by 17%, ELA has shifted upwards (80–300 m) and SMB shows variation in glacier mass loss from ?0.77 to ?0.16 m.w.e. Annual air temperature showed a significant increasing trend, and a slight but insignificant decrease in precipitation was observed during the period. It is evident that in the same climatic regime, varying topography plays a key role in determining the glacier changes. It is believed that the observed changes in the glacier geometry and dynamics, if continued, shall have adverse effect on the streamflows, water supplies and other dependent sectors in the region.     

Fifty Years of Cartography at the University of Glasgow

Abstract

This paper documents ongoing glacier retreat in the eastern part of the Granatspitz Mountains (Hohe Tauern Range, Austrian Alps) for the time period 2003–2009 using aerial photogrammetry. Aerial photographs of 2003, 2006, and 2009 were made available by the Hydrological Service of the Regional Government of Salzburg, the Federal Office of Metrology, Surveying and Mapping, Vienna, and the Regional Government of the Tyrol, respectively. High resolution multi-temporal digital elevation models and digital orthophotos of the area of interest were derived using digital photogrammetric methods to provide a sound basis for glaciological research. Glacier outlines of the three glacial stages were mapped interactively. Temporal change in area and surface height of the glaciers mapped clearly document glacier retreat. Glacier mass balance based on the geodetic method was calculated for Stubacher Sonnblickkees (Glacier). Mean annual specific net balance amounts to ?656 mm w.e. for the time period 2003–2009, with a mass balance gradient of 324 mm w.e. (100 m)^?1 and an equilibrium-line altitude of 2995 m a.s.l. Digital orthophoto maps and other thematic maps, e.g. showing surface height change, were prepared to support further data interpretation. Both the study area and its spatio-temporal change were visualized with special emphasis on the glaciers in a computer generated video film. Another film (exposure 29 August 2011) shows the lower part of Stubacher Sonnblickkees and its surroundings for reasons of comparison.     

Contrasting Signals of Glacier Changes in Zanskar Valley,Jammu & Kashmir,India Using Remote Sensing and GIS

The study of advancement and recession of the glaciers in the Himalayas is essential due to their contrasting response towards climatic change. In the present study, Survey of India (SOI) topographical maps of 1962, IRS: LISS-III image of 2001 and LANDSAT-5: TM (Thematic Mapper) image of 2009 were used to analyze the glacier fluctuations in a part of Zanskar valley. The analysis carried out on 212 glaciers indicated decrease of 57 km² (8 %) of glacier area over many glacier which was partly compensated with area increase by 42 km² (6 %) in other glaciers, resulting an overall glacier area decrease by only 15 km² (2 %) from 1962–2001. Due to glacier fragmentation the number of glaciers increased from 212 in 1962 to 238 by 2001. Although majority of glaciers (88 %) exhibited retreat (up to 13 my^?1), minor advancement (<15 my^?1) also took place in few glaciers during this period. Advancement took place mainly in larger glaciers (2–5 km² and >5 km²) located over wider altitudinal range (700 m–1,000 m) whereas smaller glaciers (<2 km²) with narrow altitudinal range (100 m–500 m) exhibited retreat. The supraglacial debris analysis indicated that percentage of debris cover over glaciers ranges from 1.43 % to 18.15 %. Smaller glaciers (<2 km²) were debris free in comparison to the larger glaciers (>5 km²). During 2001–2009 majority of the glaciers were apparently stable in terms of their area and snout position indicating less impact of climate forcing in parts of Zanskar valley as compared to other parts of the Himalaya.     

Evidence for Mountain Glacier Changes in Semi-arid Environments based on Remote Sensing Data

Countries like Iran, which are geographically situated in a rather arid and warm regions, will suffer more from global warming than countries located in humid and semi-humid regions. In such environments, analyzing the variations of mountain glaciers can reveal several aspects of climate change patterns more efficiently in comparison to the other geo-indicators. The present study reports some evidence of changes for Alamkouh glacier between 1955 and 2010 based on several mediums to high-resolution satellite images. Considering that most part of the Alamkouh glacier is covered by debris and delineating its actual area is not possible, planimetric change analysis was restricted to the clean-ice regions. The object-oriented classification approach was used to estimate the clean ice areas. This technique takes into account the shapes of the features along with their spectral patterns. Results revealed that clean ice regions of Alamkouh glacier shrank since 1955 with an overall area reduction of about 59 %. Although the general observed trend is a clean ice area reduction, some advancement was detected over the period from 2000 to 2010. During 1992–2000, the maximum reduction in the clean ice area was observed (0.08 km².a^?1). However, clean ice area of the case study has partially increased about 0.028 km².a^?1 from 2000 to 2010. Supra-glacial lake change analysis illustrated that at the surface of the glacier, lakes have been enlarged remarkably in the past 55 years (about 4.75 times greater). In addition, clean ice area and the surface area of supra-glacial lakes oscillated in compliance with each other. The findings revealed that the maximum expansion of supra-glacial lake occurred during 1992–2000, which demonstrate the glacier maximum reduction during this period. This shrinkage in the Alamkouh glacier caused an extensive glacial lake outburst flood in Jun 2011. The results of this study agree with documented changes in other mountain glaciers located in arid and semi-arid environments and they also confirm the application of mountain glaciers in climate variations monitoring over such regions.     

Using Land Use Data to Estimate the Population Distribution of China in 2000

To control for the defects found in remote sensing-derived estimates of population distributions, this study created a new method for estimating the population density of China at a 1 × 1 km spatial resolution by combining remote sensing-derived land use with China residence polygon data. As a result, we obtained three sets of land use data (i.e., remote sensing-derived, China residence polygon, and a combination of the two) to estimate population. On the basis of these data, we developed both urban and rural population distribution models. The results demonstrated that this new method could improve the accuracy of population estimation.     

Monitoring thickness and volume changes of the Dongkemadi Ice Field on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (1969–2000) using Shuttle Radar Topography Mission and map data

Abstract

This paper presents the first measurement of multi-decadal thickness and volume changes (1969–2000) of the Dongkemadi Ice Field (DIF) in the Tanggula Mountains, central Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, China, using multi-source remote sensing data. These include the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) Digital Elevation Model (DEM) acquired in February, 2000, a DEM generated by digitising analogue topographic maps from 1969, and Landsat ETM+ imagery from 2000. Digital glacier outlines and GIS-based processing were used to calculate an elevation difference map to evaluate the relative elevation error of these two DEMs over ice-free areas. This method was also used to identify regions of glacier elevation thinning and thickening corresponding to glacier mass loss and gain. Analysis of 67,520 points on flat grass and rock terrain surrounding the DIF, with a slope less than 25°, showed a mean elevation difference of –0.90 m and a standard deviation of 5.58 m. A thickness change error within ±6 m was estimated. Between 1969 and 2000, 76.51% of the whole DIF area appeared to be thinning while 23.49% showed thickening. The average glacier surface thinning was –12.58 m with a standard deviation of 18.29 m and the estimated volume loss was 1.17 km³. The standard deviation of volume change was 0.0006 km³ over the DIF. A thinning rate up to 0.41±0.194 m a^?1 or 0.038 km³ a^?1 for the volume loss was observed for the whole ice field, which seems to be evidence for the ongoing retreat of glaciers on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. It was found that the spatial thickness change pattern derived from the remote sensing method was consistent with the thickness change results of the Small Dongkemadi Glacier (SDG) from field measurements. The estimated error of the annual thickness change rate was on the order of 5%. The relationship between elevation change and absolute glacier elevation over typical glaciers was also analysed, showing considerable variability. These changes have possibly resulted from increased temperature and decreased precipitation in this region.     

Remote sensing of alpine glaciers in visible and infrared wavelengths: a survey of advances and prospects

Remote sensing is an efficient tool for temporal monitoring of inaccessible alpine glacial terrain. This study discusses the methods of remote sensing in visible and infrared (IR) wavelengths, which are helpful in providing important information about alpine glaciers. The scope of this study covers recent advances and prospects in optical and thermal remote sensing of glacier facies, glacier velocity, mass balance, glacial hazards and automated mapping techniques. The technology is ever evolving with the advent of new remote sensors capturing data in visible/IR wavelengths and better digital computing technology. An extensive list of significant studies further helps the reader to explore a particular topic of interest. We survey recent advances in this field and additionally highlight the emerging prospects.     

Spatially variable surface elevation changes and estimated melt water contribution of Continental Glacier in the Wind River Range,Wyoming, USA: 1966–2011

Seasonal snow melt in the Wind River Range, Wyoming, has been ending earlier over the last several decades leaving the region to rely more on supplemental melt water from mountain glaciers. This leads to the necessity of understanding recent glacial changes. This study uses elevation data from 1966, 2006 and 2011 to calculate surface elevation and volume changes that have occurred on Continental Glacier. Results indicate a mean volume change of ?0.034 ± 0.02 km³ and surface elevation change of ?0.36 ± 0.19 m y^?1 between 1966 and 2006. Detailed spatial analysis shows that the glacier is divided into two sections which are thinning at different rates (lower section: ?0.06±0.19 m y^?1; upper section: ?0.51 ± 0.19 m y^?1). The upper section has experienced 97% of the thinning (or 742.5 × 10³ m³ of melt water equivalent per year) and increased its rate since 2006 by 27.5%.     

Frontal recession of Parkachik Glacier between 1971-2015, Zanskar Himalaya using remote sensing and field data

Parkachik Glacier is located in the Suru sub-basin of the Upper Indus River, Zanskar Himalaya. The Glacier has been analysed using Corona KH-4B (1971), Landsat-TM (1999), field survey (2015), Google Earth^TM (2015) and ASTER GDEM (2015) for frontal recession and area changes. Overall, from 1971 to 2015, the Glacier has retreated by 127 ± 0.09 m i.e. (0.75 ± 0.07%) at a rate of 2.9 ± 0.004 ma^?1 with a simultaneous decrease in area from 49.5 to 48.8 km² i.e. 740 ± 0.7 m² (1.5 ± 0.09%) at a rate of 74 ± 0.7 m²a^?1. However, during recent decade (1999–2015), the rate of glacier recession of 3.9 ± 0.004 ma^?1 with a corresponding area loss of 500 ± 0.74m² (1 ± 0.1%) was higher than the retreat rate of 2.3 ± 0.001 ma^?1 and an area loss of 240 ± 0.02m² (0.48 ± 0.08%) during 1971–1999. In the field, the evidences of glacier recession are present in the form of separated dead ice blocks from the main Glacier, recessional dumps/moraines, active ice calving activity and a small proglacial pond/lake at the terminus/snout of the Glacier. However, the recession over the studied period has been very slow and is controlled by its topographic configuration, particularly the large altitudinal range (6030–3620 m), almost northerly aspect and steep slope (average ~ 30°).     

岗纳楼冰川表面流速时空变化特征提取及分析

冰川表面流速是反映冰川动态变化的重要指标,能够为冰川物质平衡提供重要信息.利用2016年的13景Sentinel-1A影像和合成孔径雷达(synthetic aperture radar,SAR)偏移量追踪法测定岗纳楼冰川表面流速场,并根据地表温度是否大于0℃将其分为冰封期(10月—次年3月)和消融期(4月—9月).其...     

基于纹理特征的SAR影像各拉丹冬冰川信息提取

冰川面积是监测冰川变化信息的重要参数。本文以各拉丹东地区为例,根据冰川区域特有的纹理特征,选取时间间隔为35天的ENVISAT ASAR干涉对,利用灰度共生矩阵提取纹理特征,通过波段组合进行监督分类,进而提取研究区冰川面积。同时以Landsat TM光学影像为依据,评价利用纹理特征提取结果的精度。研究表明:基于纹理特征并利用SAR影像提取冰川面积的方法是可行的,为提取冰川信息提供了又一可靠手段。     

USE OF SPACE IMAGERY IN THE STUDY OF MASS EXCHANGE IN GLACIER SYSTEMS

The author surveys the use of remote sensing imagery in the study of mass exchange in glaciers, i.e., glacier dynamics resulting from phase changes in the water which they contain. A program of research now underway at the Institute of Geography (USSR Academy of Sciences) in conjunction with the “Priroda” Remote Sensing Center (Moscow) focuses on improving methods of data collection and mapping of glacier dynamics from space imagery, and particularly on identifying natural glacioclimatic zones believed to represent specific mass exchange conditions or regimes. The boundary of glacier nourishment separating areas of accumulation and ablation represents a key glacioclimatic indicator of mass exchange on satellite imagery and aerial photography. Translated from: Geodeziya i kartografiya, 1986, No. 5, pp. 26–31.     

高山冰川遥感提取方法研究

遥感的应用使得对冰川大尺度全覆盖、多时相变化的监测成为可能,然而冰川信息遥感提取方法的误差大等难题成为影响冰川监测的障碍。本文综合分析比较了目前已有的多种冰川提取方法的有效性,得出提取冰川范围精度最高的是面向对象的目视判读方法,其次是最大似然法监督分类、面向对象的自动分类、比值阈值法、雪盖指数法等。各自动方法提取冰川面积均有较大误差,且误差主要出现在冰舌末端、阴影区、薄冰区和云层遮盖范围等区域。本文将面向对象的目视判读法应用于冰川提取中,在保证信息提取精度的同时提高了传统解译的效率。     

控制点布设对冰川区无人机摄影测量精度的影响

冰川监测是冰冻圈科学研究中的一项重要基础内容,获取高质量冰川DEM和DOM数据是研究的基础。随着无人机技术的兴起,给冰川监测提供了全新的技术手段,然而冰川区开展无人机摄影测量时,地面控制点的布设与测量成为能否获取高精度数据产品的关键,而山地冰川往往伴随着地形复杂,行走困难,野外实地测量难以全面实施等不利因素。本研究中以位于祁连山西段大雪山地区的老虎沟12号冰川末端部分为研究区域,设计实施了多种控制点布设方案,使用低空微型无人机飞行3个架次,获取研究区航摄影像。通过对比控制点在不同分布情况及数量情况下,DEM和DOM数据检查点的精度,评价不同控制点布设方案的可行性。对比结果显示,在航飞过程中使用单格网模式即可获取高精度的影像数据;实施地面控制作业时,使用5—7个控制点均匀分布在测量区即可获取较高精度的图像数据;当冰川区不能满足均匀布设控制点时,可沿冰川主流线布设足够数量的控制点,所得图像精度也可以满足冰川学研究要求;若只能在冰川中下部或者中上部布设控制点,则控制点应覆盖冰面起伏较大的区域。     

Multiparametric Cartographic Visualisation of Glacier Rheology

Abstract

In cooperation between remote sensing experts and cartographers interested in glaciology, new types of maps showing the glacier dynamics have been developed. The maps make use of the original phase gradient approach to glacier rheology modelling based on repeat-pass ERTS SAR interferograms. Careful map design and, in particular, colour assignment allow the visualisation of the glacier dynamics in its locally changing velocity with an estimated accuracy of approximately 2.0 cm per day. Two map derivates – a differential interferogram showing the glacier velocity and another product displaying the glacier strain rate – have been designed. Moreover, maps displaying the glacier marginal changes within the space of four years have been generated. The strain rate maps evidence that spots with high values frequently correspond with crevasse-prone areas which are even detectable under thick layers of snow. In this sense, the latter visualisations can be seen as maps of crevasse danger zones. The Svartisen in Norway and the Hintereis Glacier in Austria served as testbeds for the development of these different types of maps which are at the scales of 1:25 000, 1:50 000 and 1:100 000.     

Estimating surface ice velocity on Chhota Shigri glacier from satellite data using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) technique

Information about the surface ice velocity is one of the important parameters for Mass balance and Glacier dynamics. This study estimates the surface ice velocity of Chhota Shigri glacier using Landsat (TM/ETM+) and ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer) temporal data-sets from a period of 2009 to 2016 and 2006 to 2007, respectively. A correlation based Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) technique has been used for the estimation of surface ice velocity. This technique uses multiple window sizes in the same data-set. Four window sizes (low, medium, high, very high) are used for each image pair. Estimated results have been compared with the published data. The outcomes attained from the medium window size closely matches with the published results. The estimated mean surface ice velocities of medium window size are 24 and 28.5 myr^?1 for 2009/2010 and 2006/2007 images pair. Highest velocity is observed in middle part of the glacier while lowest in the accumulation zone of the glacier.