Mass-balance studies on Siachen Glacier in the Nubra valley, Karakoram Himalaya, India

Abstract

The hyd rological method is used to compute the m ass ba la nce ofSiachen Gl acier in th e Nubra Valley, K a rakora m Him a laya, India. The m ethod was chosen because of its suitability in rugged terra in. Analysis of precipitati on ? ata from th e glacier as a ~unc­ tion of altitude shows a power-law rel ationship. Accumulal10n eStimates based on thls re-lati onship show good ag reem ent with th e recorded precipitati on. Th e di scha rge d ata fr om the glacier sho w high runoff in th e abl ati on seasons of 198 6~ 87,. 1987 ~ 88, 1 989~ 9 ~ a nd 1 99 0~9 1. The m ass-balance calculations for th ese years a re negatI ve, the lowest bell1g III 1 99 0~9 1 (~ 10 84 mm). Positive m ass balance in 1 988~89 (~35 8mm) is attribu ted to e~ m­ pa rari vely heavy winter snowfa ll a mounts a nd compa ratively I? w t e l~lp e ratures dUrI.ng the ablation seaso n. Significantly lower runoff was measured dUrIng thI s season. N e~a t l ve mass-balance va lues during 1 98 9 ~ 9 0 a nd 1 990~9 1 a re a result of comparatI vely d ry wll1ters a nd compa rati vely wa rm abl ation periods, with m onthly mean a ir temperatures 1.4~ 5.l QC higher at the beginning of the abl ati on seaso n Gune a ndJuly) tha n the mean of the las t 5 yea rs.

Area and mass changes of Siachen Glacier (East Karakoram)

“…Westerlies are an important source of precipitation for the Karakoram including Siachen Glacier. Nearly two-thirds of the annual snowfall in these areas occurs under the influence of extra tropical cyclones known as western disturbances, primarily during the winter season (Bhutiyani, 1999). 3. DATA…”

“…mass gain from snowfall) for a glacier in order to determine its mass budget. This method has been rarely used in the Himalaya since Bhutiyani (1999).…”

“…Like many other Himalayan and Karakoram glaciers, Siachen Glacier has not been monitored adequately owing to remoteness and years of military conflict in the area. Bhutiyani (1999) made an independent study of hydrologic mass budget for Siachen Glacier during 1986-1991 and obtained a large negative mass budget of −0.51 m w.e. a , respectively.…”

Glacial Avalanche Hazard’s Comparative Geospatial Analysis in Shigar and Shyok Basins

“…The world's steepest gradient glaciers are present in this region, which generate high glacial activity in the vicinity. Scientific evidence shows that most glaciers in South Asia's Hindu Kush Himalayan region are retreating [2]. In order to build the inventory of glaciers types and to measure the ice reserves quantum in northern areas of Pakistan, the grass root knowledge of glacial historic activity is deemed necessary.…”

Remote Sensing-Based Study for Evaluating the Changes in Glacial Area: A Case Study from Himachal Pradesh, India

“…Most of the studies on shrinkage of glacier area in Himalaya are related to climatic variations (Bhutiyani 1999;Bhutiyani et al 2008;Hasnain 2008;Kulkarni and Bahuguna 2002;Kulkarni et al 2007). Recession also leads to volume loss in glaciers and increase sea level water rises (Dobhal et al 2004).…”