Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Recent area and ice volume change of Kangwure Glacier in the middle of Himalayas

  • Articles
  • Special Topic Glacial Retreat and Its Impact on Lakes in Tibetan Plateau
  • Published:
Chinese Science Bulletin

Abstract

This paper calculated and evaluated the area and ice volume changes of Kangwure Glacier in Mt. Xixiabangma, middle of Himalayas in the past 3 decades, based on the field survey of glacier boundary position by differential GPS and glacier depth by Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), together with the topographic map and remote sense data. The studied data showed that the Kangwure Glacier has experienced significant mass deficit since the 1970s, with 34.2% of area loss, 48.2% of ice volume loss and 7.5 m of average thickness decrease. This result revealed that the ice volume loss of Himalayan glaciers was more serious than expected. Analysis of meteorological data from two weather stations in the region of Mt. Xixiabangma, shows that the air temperature of this region has risen from the middle of the 20th century to the beginning of the 21st century. Significant retreat of Himalayas glacier driven by climatic warming will have a remarkable impact on hydrology and ecosystem.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. IPCC. Climate Change 2001: Synthesis Report. A Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001. 1–398

    Google Scholar 

  2. Haeberli W, Maisch M, Paul F. Mountain glaciers in global climate-related observation networks. WMO Bull, 2002, 51: 18–25

    Google Scholar 

  3. Oerlemans J, Fortuin J P F. Sensitivity of glaciers and small ice caps to greenhouse warming. Science, 1992, 258: 115–117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Meier, M F, Dyurgerov M B, Rick U K, et al. Glaciers dominate eustatic sea-level rise in the 21st century. Science, 2007, 317: 1064–1067

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Lanzhou Institute of Glaciology and Geocryology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. An Introduction to the Glaciers in China (in Chinese). Beijing: Science Press, 1988. 167–200

    Google Scholar 

  6. Ren J W, Qin D H, Jing Z F. Climatic warming causes the glacier retreat in Mt. Qomolangma (in Chinese). J Glaciol Geocryol, 1998, 20: 184–185

    Google Scholar 

  7. Che T, Li X, Mool P K, et al. Monitoring glaciers and associated glacial lakes on the east slopes of Mount Xixiabangma from remote sensing images (in Chinese). J Glaciol Geocryol, 2005, 27: 801–805

    Google Scholar 

  8. Ren J W, Qin D H, Kang S C, et al. Glacier variations and climate warming and drying in the central Himalayas. Chinese Sci Bull, 2004, 49: 65–69

    Google Scholar 

  9. Yao T D, Wang Y Q, Liu S Y, et al. Recent glacial retreat in High Asia in China and its impact on water resource in Northwest China. Sci China Ser D-Earth Sci, 2004, 47: 1065–1075

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Yao T D, Pu J C, Tian L D, et al. Recent rapid retreat of the Naimona’nyi Glacier in Southwestern Tibetan Plateau (in Chinese). J Glaciol Geocryol, 2007, 29: 503–508

    Google Scholar 

  11. Pu J C, Yao T D, Wang N L, et al. Fluctuations of the glaciers on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau during the past century (in Chinese). J Glaciol Geocryol, 2004, 26: 518–522

    Google Scholar 

  12. Ye Q H, Chen F, Yao T D, et al. Tupu of glacier variations in the Mt. Naimona’Nyi Region, Western Himalayas, in the last three decades (in Chinese). J Remote Sens, 2007, 11: 511–520

    Google Scholar 

  13. Wu Y H, Zhu L P, Ye Q H, et al. The response of lake-glacier area change to climate variations in Namco basin, central Tibetan Plateau, during the last three decades (in Chinese). Acta Geogr Sin, 2007, 62: 301–311

    Google Scholar 

  14. Lu A X, Yao T D, Wang L H, et al. Study on the fluctuations of typical glaciers and lakes in the Tibetan Plateau using remote sensing (in Chinese). J Glaciol Geocryol, 2005, 27: 783–792

    Google Scholar 

  15. Lu A X, Yao T D, Liu S Y, et al. Glacier change in the Geladandong area of the Tibetan Plateau monitored by remote sensing (in Chinese). J Glaciol Geocryol, 2002, 24: 559–562

    Google Scholar 

  16. Liu S Y, Shang G D H, Ding Y J, et al. Variation of glaciers studied on the basis of RS and GIS-a reassessment of the changes of the Xinqingfeng and Malan Ice Caps in the northern Tibetan Plateau (in Chinese). J Glaciol Geocryol, 2004, 26: 244–252

    Google Scholar 

  17. Pu J C, Yao T D, Zhang Y S, et al. Mass balance on the Dongkemadi and Meikuang glaciers in 1992/1993 (in Chinese). J Glaciol Geocryol, 1995, 17: 138–143

    Google Scholar 

  18. Zhou G P, Yao T D, Kang S C, et al. Mass balance of the Zhadang Glacier in the central of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (in Chinese). J Glaciol Geocryol, 2007, 29: 360–365

    Google Scholar 

  19. Liu S Y, Sun W X, Shen Y P, et al. Glacier changes since the Little Ice Age maximum in the western Qilian Shan, northwest China, and consequences of glacier runoff for water supply. J Glaciol, 2003, 49: 117–124

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Radić V, Hock R, Oerlemans J. Analysis of scaling methods in deriving future volume evolutions of vallay glaciers. J Glaciol, 2008, 54: 601–612

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Raper S C B, Braithwaite R J. The potential for sea level rise: New estimates from glacier and ice cap area and volume distributions. Geophys Res Lett, 2005, 32: L05502

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Bahr D B, Meier M F, Peckham S D. The physical basis of glacier volume-area scaling. J Geophys Res, 1997, 102: 20355–20362

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Farinotti D, Huss M, Bauder A, et al. A method to estimate the ice volume and ice-thickness distribution of alpine glaciers. J Glaciol, 2009, 55: 422–430

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Su Z, A B. The Preliminary Report on the Sino-USSR Joint Glaciological Expedition to Mt Xixiabangma Region, 1991 (in Chinese). J Glaciol Geocryol, 1992, 14: 184–186

    Google Scholar 

  25. Liu S Y, Xie Z C, Ma L. Characteristics of summer climate in the area of Kangwure Glacier, Mt. Xixiabangma (in Chinese). J Glaciol Geocryol, 1996, 18: 244–251

    Google Scholar 

  26. Liu S Y, Xie Z C, Song G P, et al. Mass balance of Kangwure (flattop) Glacier on the north side of Mt. Xixiabangma, China. Bull Glacier Res, 1996, 14: 37–43

    Google Scholar 

  27. Shangguan D H, Liu S Y, Ding Y J, et al. Thinning and retreat of Xiao Dongkemadi glacier, Tibetan Plateau, since 1993. J Glaciol, 54: 949–951

  28. Shangguan D H, Liu S Y, Ding L F, et al. Variation of Glaciers in the Western Nyainqêntanglha Range of Tibetan Plateau during 1970–2000 (in Chinese). J Glaciol Geocryol, 2008, 30: 204–210

    Google Scholar 

  29. Fujita K, Nakawo M, Fujii Y, et al. Changes in glaciers in Hidden Valley, Mukut Himal, Nepal Himalayas, from 1974 to 1994. J Glaciol, 1997, 43: 583–588

    Google Scholar 

  30. Fujita K, Takeuchi N, Seko K. Glaciological observations of Yala Glacier in Langtang Valley, Nepal Himalayas, 1994 and 1996. Bull Glacier Res, 1998, 16: 75–81

    Google Scholar 

  31. Fujita K, Kadota T, Rana B, et al. Shrinkage of Glacier AX010 in Shorong region, Nepal Himalayas in the 1990s. Bull Glacier Res, 2001, 18: 51–54

    Google Scholar 

  32. Yamada T, Shiraiwa T, Iida H, et al. Fluctuations of the glaciers from the 1970s to 1989 in the Khumbu, Shorong and Langtang regions, Nepal Himalayas. Bull Glacier Res, 1992, 10: 11–19

    Google Scholar 

  33. Seko K, Yabuki H, Nakawo M, et al. Changing surface features of Khumbu Glacier, Nepal Himalayas revealed by SPOT images. Bull Glacier Res, 1998, 16: 33–41

    Google Scholar 

  34. Fujita K, Nakazawa F, Rana B. Glaciological observations on Rikha Samba Glacier in Hidden Valley, Nepal Himalayas, 1998 and 1999. Bull Glacier Res, 2001, 18: 31–35

    Google Scholar 

  35. WWF. An overview of Glaciers, Glacier retreat, and subsequent impacts in Nepal, Indian and China. 2005, http://assets.panda.org/downloads/himalayaglaciersreport2005.pdf

  36. Bajracharya S R, Mool P K, Shrestha B R. The impact of global warming on the glaciers of the Himalaya. In: Proceedings of the international symposium on Geo-disasters, infrastructure management and protection of world heritage sites. Kathmandu: Nepal Engineering College, Ehime College Japan and National Society for Earthquake Technology Nepal, 2006. 231–242

  37. Kulkarn A V, Bahugun I M, Rathor B P, et al. Glacial retreat in Himalaya using Indian Remote Sensing satellite data. Curr Sci, 2007, 92: 69–74

    Google Scholar 

  38. Bolch T, Buchroithner M, Pieczonka T, et al. Planimetric and volumetric glacier changes in the Khumbu Himal, Nepal, since 1962 using Corona, Landsat TM and ASTER data. J Glaciol, 2008, 54: 592–600

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Yao T D. Significance of the Ice Core Ext raction at An Altitude of 7 000 m a. s. l. on the Tibetan Plateau (in Chinese). J Glaciol Geocryol, 1998, 20: 1–2

    Google Scholar 

  40. Ye, Q H, Yao T D, Kang S C, et al. Glacier variations in the Naimona’nyi region, western Himalaya, in the last three decades. Ann Glaciol, 2006, 43: 385–389

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Ma L L, Tian L D, Yang W, et al. Measure the thickness of Gurenhekou Glacier in the south of Tibetan Plateau using GPR and estimate the volume based on the outcomes (in Chinese). J Glaciol Geocryol, 2008, 30: 783–788

    Google Scholar 

  42. Yao T D, Liu X D, Wang N L, et al. Amplitude of climatic changes in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Chinese Sci Bull, 2000, 45: 1236–1243

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Li S C, Xu L, Guo Y X, et al. Change of annual air temperature over Qinghai-Tibet Plateau during recent 34 years (in Chinese). J Desert Res, 2006, 26: 27–34

    Google Scholar 

  44. Li X, Cheng G D. A GIS-aided response model of high-altitude permafrost to global change. Sci China Ser D-Earth Sci, 1999, 42: 72–79

    Google Scholar 

  45. Yao T D, Duan K Q, Tian L D, et al. Accumulation recorded of Dasuopu ice core and the precipitation variation of India monsoon in the past 400 a. Sci China Ser D-Earth Sci, 2000, 30: 619–627

    Google Scholar 

  46. Huang C L, Yao T D, Pu J C, et al. Environmental information recorded in shallow ice core of Dasuopu glacier in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Chinese Sci Bull, 1998, 43: 1935–1935

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Duan K Q, Yao T D, Pu J C, et al. Precipitation variation recorded in a Himalayan Ice Core and its response to Tibetan temperature (in Chinese). J Glaciol Geocryol, 2001, 23: 119–124

    Google Scholar 

  48. Kang S C, Qin D H, Paul A M, et al. Recent 200 a climatic records in the Far East Rongbuk Ice Core, Mt. Qomolangma (Everest), Himalayas (in Chinese). J Glaciol Geocryol, 2000, 22: 211–217

    Google Scholar 

  49. Liu S Y, Zhang Y, Zhang Y S, et al. Estimation of glacier runoff and future trends in the Yangtze River source region, China. J Glaciol, 2009, 55: 353–362

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China

    LingLong Ma & LiD Tian

  2. Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 100049, China

    LingLong Ma

  3. National Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China

    LiD Tian & JianChen Pu

  4. National Climate Center, China Meteorological Administration, Beijing, 100081, China

    PengLing Wang

Authors
  1. LingLong Ma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. LiD Tian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. JianChen Pu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. PengLing Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to LiD Tian.

About this article

Cite this article

Ma, L., Tian, L., Pu, J. et al. Recent area and ice volume change of Kangwure Glacier in the middle of Himalayas. Chin. Sci. Bull. 55, 2088–2096 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-010-3211-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-010-3211-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation