Geographical Research, Volume. 39, Issue 10, 2403(2020)
Based on the Landsat remote sensing information, visual interpretation and ratio threshold method are adopted to analyze the specific characteristics of the glacier area and changes in the Himalayas from the beginning of 1990 to 2015. The results demonstrated that the glacier area in the study area decreased by 2,553.10 km2 for the past 25 years, with an average annual retreat rate of 0.44%/a. During the study period, the rate of glacier retreat accelerated; some of its glaciers were distributed in the western section, followed by the middle section; the least is the eastern section; the eastern, central, and western sections of the glaciers showed a trend of retreat. The eastern section had the fastest retreat speed, while the central section had the slowest. In terms of the distribution of terrain and the characteristics of changes, most of the glaciers are distributed in the range of 5° to 25°. In recent 25 years, glaciers of all slope grades had shrunk, and the glacier area retreated faster between 25° and 30°, and more slowly in extremely gentle/steep regions. Although all the 8 slopes showed a retreat trend, the extents of retreat were different. The glaciers on the north and northwest slopes retreated relatively slowly, while in the other slope directions, the glaciers shrank relatively quickly. In recent 25 years, both debris-covered and non-covered glaciers retreated, but the latter had retreated greatly, suggesting that the surface debris inhibited the glacier melting in the study area.
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Qin JI, Rui LIU, Taibao YANG.
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Received: Apr. 17, 2019
Accepted: --
Published Online: Apr. 23, 2021
The Author Email: YANG Taibao (yangtb@lzu.edu.cn)