Rapid glacier retreat in the Naimona’Nyi region, western Himalayas, between 2003 and 2013

Abstract

© The Authors. Published by SPIE. The Northern Hemisphere experienced its warmest temperatures in the early 21st century, and this clearly increased glacier melting on the Tibetan Plateau. This study analyzed the glacier change in the area, their terminus positions and surface elevations over the last decade (2003 to 2013) in the Naimona'Nyi region of the western Himalayas, by comparing remote sensing data and differential global position system (dGPS) data from in situ surveys. The results show an accelerating glacier retreat over the past decade in this region. The area covered by glaciers was reduced by a total of 13.2 ± 0.0022 km 2 over this period. The terminus of the Naimona'Nyi main glacier studied in the paper retreated by over 191 ± 35 m.We also compared the ice cloud and elevation satellite elevation data with in situ measured decimeter accuracy dGPS elevation data, thus providing changes in glacier surface elevations in different periods. The maximum measured glacier thinning rate reached to 0.58 ± 0.06 m/a between 2009 and 2013. In addition to the dependence on elevation and glacier size, we found a larger retreat on the north facing slopes than on the south facing slopes in the region. Meteorological data show that glacier changes within the study area can probably be att ributed to the observed rapid temperature rise.