Initial estimate of the contribution of cryospheric change in China to sea level rise

Abstract

Recent studies have shown that cryospheric melting is becoming the dominant factor responsible for sea level rise, and that the melt-water from mountain glaciers and ice caps has comprised the majority of the cryospheric contribution since 2003. Analysis of the estimations of cryospheric melt-water and precipitation in glacier regions indicated that the potential contribution of the cryosphere in China is 0.14 to 0.16 mm a-1, of which approximately 0.12 mm a-1 is from glaciers. The contribution of glaciers in the outflow river basins is about 0.07 mm a-1, accounting for 6.4% of the total from global glaciers and ice caps. © 2011 The Author(s).