Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-qxdb6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-27T03:52:53.021Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A satellite-derived glacier inventory for North Asia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 March 2016

Lucas Earl  and
Alex Gardner
Lucas Earl
Affiliation:
Graduate School of Geography, Clark University, Worcester, MA, USA
Alex Gardner*
Affiliation:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
*
Correspondence: Alex Gardner <alex.s.gardner@jpl.nasa.gov>
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

This study outlines a consistent methodology for identifying glacier surfaces from Landsat 5, 7 and 8 imagery that is applied to map all mainland North Asian glaciers, providing the first methodologically consistent and complete glacier inventory for the region ~2010. We identify 5065 glaciers covering a planimetric area of 2326 ± 186 km2, most of which is located in the Altai mountain subregion. The total glacier count is 15% higher, but the total glacier area is 32 ±11.6% lower, than the estimated glacier coverage provided in version 4.0 of the Randolph Glacier Inventory. We investigate the distribution of glacier size within North Asia and find that the majority of glaciers (82%) are smaller than 0.5 km2 but only account for a third of the total glacier area, with the largest 1 % (60 glaciers ≥ 5 km2 ) accounting for 28% of the total area. We present hypsometric characterizations of North Asian glaciers, largely substantiating existing findings that glaciers in this region are dominated by cold, relatively dry conditions. We provide a detailed assessment of errors and determine the uncertainty in our area estimate to be ±8.0%, with snow-cover uncertainty the largest contributing factor. Based on this assessment, the new glacier inventory presented here is more complete and of higher quality than other currently available data sources.

Keywords

climate changeglacier delineationglacier mappingmountain glaciersremote sensing
Type
Paper
Information
Annals of Glaciology , Volume 57 , Issue 71 , March 2016 , pp. 50 - 60
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2016

References

Aleshkoff, AN (1933) The glaciers of the Northern Urals. Scot. Geogr. Mag., 49(6), 359–362 Google Scholar
Ananicheva, MD, Koreisha, MM and Takahashi, S (2005) Assessment of glacier shrinkage from the maximum in the Little Ice Age in the Suntar-Khayata Range, North-East Siberia. Bull. Glaciol. Res., 22(1), 9–17 Google Scholar
Ananicheva, MD, Krenke, AN and Hanna, E (2008) Mountain glaciers of NE Asia in the near future: a projection based on climate-glacier systems’ interaction. Cryosphere Discuss., 2(1), 1–21 Google Scholar
Aniya, M, Sato, H, Naruse, R, Skvarca, P and Casassa, G (1996) The use of satellite and airborne imagery to inventory outlet glaciers of the Southern Patagonian Icefield, South America. Photogramm. Eng. Remote Sens., 62(12), 1361–1369 Google Scholar
Beniston, M (2003) Climatic change in mountain regions: a review of possible impacts. Climatic Change, 59, 5–31 Google Scholar
Bolch, T, Buchroithner, M, Pieczonka, T and Kunert, A (2008) Planimetric and volumetric glacier changes in the Khumbu Himal, Nepal, since 1962 using Corona, Landsat TM and ASTER data. J. Glaciol., 54(187), 592–600 (doi: 10.3189/002214308786570782)Google Scholar
Chavez, PS (1988) An improved dark-object subtraction technique for atmospheric scattering correction of multispectral data. Remote Sens. Environ., 24(3), 459–479 (doi: 10.1016/0034-4257(88)90019-3)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cogley, JG (2009) A more complete version of the World Glacier Inventory. Ann. Glaciol., 50(53), 32–38 (doi: 10.3189/172756410790595859)Google Scholar
Cogley JG, and 10 others (2011) Glossary of glacier mass balance and related terms. (IHP-VII Technical Documents in Hydrology No. 86, IACS Contribution No. 2) UNESCO-International Hydrological Programme, Paris Google Scholar
Dolgushin, LD (1961) Main features of the modern glaciation of the Urals. IAHS Publ. 54 (General Assembly of Helsinki - Snow and Ice)(1), 335–347 Google Scholar
Global Land Ice Measurements from Space (GLIMS) and National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) (2005) GLIMS Glacier Database. National Snow and Ice Data Center, Boulder, CO http://dx.doi.org/10.7265/N5V98602 Google Scholar
Gratton, DJ, Howarth, PJ and Marceau, DJ (1990) Combining DEM parameters with Landsat MSS and TM imagery in a GIS for mountain glacier characterization. IEEE Trans. Geosci. Remote Sens., 28, 766–769 Google Scholar
Gurney, SD, Popovnin, VV, Shahgedanova, M and Stokes, CR (2008) A glacier inventory for the Buordakh Massif, Cherskiy Range, Northeast Siberia, and evidence for recent glacier recession. Arct. Antarct. Alp. Res., 40(1), 81–88 (doi: 10.1657/1523-0430(06-042)[GURNEY]2.0.CO;2)Google Scholar
Huggel, C, Kääb, A, Haeberli, W, Teysseire Pand Paul, F (2002) Remote sensing based assessment of hazards from glacier lake outbursts: a case study in the Swiss Alps. Can. Geotech. J., 39(2), 316–330 (doi: 10.1139/t01-099)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kadota, T and Gombo, D (2007) Recent glacier variations in Mongolia. Ann. Glaciol., 46,185–188 (doi: 10.3189/172756407782871675)Google Scholar
Kamp, U, McManigal, KG, Dashtseren, A and Walther, M (2013) Documenting glacial changes between 1910, 1970, 1992 and 2010 in the Turgen Mountains, Mongolian Altai, using repeat photographs, topographic maps, and satellite imagery. Geogr. J., 179(3), 248–263 (doi: 10.1111/j.1475-4959.2012.00486.x)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Khromova, T, Nosenko, G, Kutuzov, S, Muraviev, A and Chernova, L (2014) Glacier area changes in Northern Eurasia. Environ. Res. Lett., 9(1), 015003 (doi: 10.1088/1748-9326/9/1/015003)Google Scholar
Kienholz, C, Hock, R and Arendt, AA (2013) A new semi-automatic approach for dividing glacier complexes into individual glaciers. J. Glaciol., 59(217), 925–937 (doi: 10.3189/2013JoG12J138)Google Scholar
Konya, K, Kadota, T, Yabuki, H and Ohata, T (2014) Fifty years of meteo-glaciological change in Toll Glacier, Bennett Island, De Long Islands, Siberian Arctic. Polar Sci., 8(2), 86–95 (doi: 10.101 6/j.polar.201 3.10.002)Google Scholar
Kotlyakov, VM (1980) Problems and results of studies of mountain glaciers in the Soviet Union. IAHS Publ. 126 (Riederalp Workshop 1978 - World Glacier Inventory), 129–137 Google Scholar
Kotlyakov, VM and 8 others (2005) Glaciers of the former Soviet Union. In Williams RSJ rand FerrignoJG eds, Satellite image atlas of glaciers of the world. US Geol. Surv. Prof. Pap. 1386-F-1Google Scholar
Kotlyakov, VM, Khromova, TE, Zverkova, NM, Chernova, LP and Nosenko, GA (2011) Two new glacier systems in northeastern Eurasia. Dokl. Earth Sci., 437(1), 374–379 (doi: 10.1134/S1028334-11030056)Google Scholar
Leclercq, PW, Oerlemans, J and Cogley, JG (2011) Estimating the glacier contribution to sea-level rise for the period 1800-2005. Surv. Geophys., 32(4-5), 519–535 (doi: 10.1007/s10712-011-9121-7)Google Scholar
Meier, MF and 7 others (2007) Glaciers dominate eustatic sea-level rise in the 21st century. Science, 317(5841), 1064–1067 (doi: 10.1126/science.1143906)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Muraviev, AY and Nosenko, GA (2013) Glaciation change in the northern part of the middle range on Kamchatka Peninsula in the second half of the XX century. Ice Snow, 2(1), 5–12 Google Scholar
Narama, C, Kääb, A, Duishonakunov, M and Abdrakhmatov, K (2009) Spatial variability of recent glacier area changes in the Tien Shan Mountains, Central Asia, using Corona (~1970), Landsat (~2000), and ALOS (~2007) satellite data. Global Planet. Change, 71(1), 42–54 (doi: 10.101 6/j.gloplacha.2009.08.002)Google Scholar
Nuimura, T and 12 others (2014) The GAMDAM Glacier Inventory: a quality controlled inventory of Asian glaciers. Cryosphere Discuss., 8(1), 2799–2829 Google Scholar
Oerlemans, J and Fortuin, JPF (1992) Sensitivity of glaciers and small ice caps to greenhouse warming. Science, 258(5079), 115–117 (doi: 10.1126/science.258.5079.115)Google Scholar
Osipov, EY and Osipova, OP (2014) Mountain glaciers of southeast Siberia: current state and changes since the Little Ice Age. Ann. Glaciol., 55(66), 167–176 (doi: 10.3189/2014AoG66A1 35)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Paul, F (2000) Evaluation of different methods for glacier mapping using Landsat TM. In Buchroithner, MF ed. Proceedings of 20th EARSeL Symposium - Land Ice and Snow, 14-16 June, Dresden, Germany. European Association of Remote-Sensing Laboratories, Münste, 239–245 Google Scholar
Paul, F, Kääb, A, Maisch, M, Kellenberger, T and Haeberli, W (2002) The new remote-sensing-derived Swiss glacier inventory: I. Methods. Ann. Glaciol., 34, 355–361 (doi: 10.3189/172756402781817941)Google Scholar
Paul, F, Huggel, C and Kääb, A (2004) Combining satellite multi-spectral image data and a digital elevation model for mapping debris-covered glaciers. Remote Sens. Environ., 89(4), 510–518 (doi: 10.1016/j.rse.2003.11.007)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Paul, F and 19 others (2013) On the accuracy of glacier outlines derived from remote-sensing data. Ann. Glaciol., 54(63), 171–182 (doi: 10.31 89/2013AoG63A296)Google Scholar
Pfeffer, WT and 18 others (2014) The Randolph Glacier Inventory: a globally complete inventory of glaciers. J. Glaciol., 60(221), 537–552 (doi: 10.31 89/2014JoG13J176)Google Scholar
Racoviteanu, AE, Williams, MW and Barry, RG (2008) Optical remote sensing of glacier characteristics: a review with focus on the Himalaya. Sensors, 8, 3355–3383 (doi: 10.3390/s8053355)Google Scholar
Racoviteanu, AE, Paul, F, Raup, B, Khalsa, SJS and Armstrong, R (2009) Challenges and recommendations in mapping of glacier parameters from space: results of the 2008 Global Land Ice Measurements from Space (GLIMS) workshop, Boulder, Colorado, USA. Ann. Glaciol., 50(53), 53–69 (doi: 10.3189/172756410790595804)Google Scholar
Shahgedanova, M (2002) Climateatpresentand in the historical past. In The physical geography of northern Eurasia. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 70–102 Google Scholar
Shahgedanova, M, Nosenko, G, Khromova, T and Muraveyev, A (2010) Glacier shrinkage and climatic change in the Russian Altai from the mid-20th century: an assessment using remote sensing and PRECIS regional climate model. J. Geophys. Res. Atmos., 115, D16107 (doi: 10.1029/2009JD012976)Google Scholar
Shahgedanova, M, Popovnin, V, Aleynikov, A and Stokes, CR (2011) Geodetic mass balance of Azarova glacier, Kodar Mountains, eastern Siberia, and its links to observed and projected climatic change. Ann. Glaciol., 52(58), 129–137 (doi: 10.3189/172756411797252275)Google Scholar
Shahgedanova, M, Nosenko, G, Bushueva, I and Ivanov, M (2012) Changes in area and geodetic mass balance of small glaciers, Polar Urals, Russia, 1950-2008. J. Glaciol., 58(211), 953–964 (doi:10.3189/2012JoG11J233)Google Scholar
Shi, Y, Mi, D, Yao, T, Zeng, Q and Liu, C (2005) Glaciers of China. In Williams, RS Jr and Ferrigno, JG eds, Satellite image atlas of glaciers of the world. US Geol. Surv. Prof. Pap. 1386-F-?Google Scholar
Sidjak, RW and Wheate, RD (1999) Glacier mapping of the Illecillewaet Icefield, British Columbia, Canada, using Landsat TM and digital elevation data. Int. J. Remote Sens., 20(2), 273–284 (doi: 10.1080/014311699213442)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stokes, CR, Shahgedanova, M, Evans, IS and Popovnin, VV (2013) Accelerated loss of alpine glaciers in the Kodar Mountains, southeastern Siberia. Global Planet. Change, 101(1), 82–96 (doi: 10.1016/j.gloplacha.2012.12.010)Google Scholar
Surazakov, AB, Aizen, VB, Aizen, EM and Nikitin, SA (2007) Glacier changes in the Siberian Altai Mountains, Ob River basin (1 952-2006) estimated with high resolution imagery. Environ. Res. Lett., 2(4), 045017 (doi: 10.1088/1748-9326/2/4/045017)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Svoboda, F and Paul, F (2009) A new glacier inventory on southern Baffin Island, Canada, from ASTER data: I Applied methods, challenges and solutions. Ann. Glaciol., 50(53), 11–21 (doi: 10.3189/172756410790595912)Google Scholar
United States Geological Survey (USGS) (2013) LDCM cal/val algorithm description document version 3.0. USGS, Sioux Falls, SD http://landsat.usgs.gov/documents/LCDM/_CVT_ADD.pdf Google Scholar
Welch, R, Jordan, TR and Ehlers, M (1985) Comparative evaluations of the geodetic accuracy and cartographic potential of Landsat-4 and Landsat-5 thematic mapper image data. J. Photogramm. Eng. Remote Sens., 51, 1249–1262 Google Scholar
WGMS (1989) World glacier inventory: status 1988, ed. Haeberli, W, Bösch, H, Scherler, K, Østrem, G and Wallén, CC. IAHS (ICSI)/UNEP/UNESCO, World Glacier Monitoring Service, ZürichGoogle Scholar
Williams, RS Jr, Hall, DK and Benson, C (1991) Analysis of glacier facies using satellite techniques. J. Glaciol., 37(125), 120–128 Google Scholar
Zhang, M, Wang, S, Li, Z and Wang, F (2012) Glacier area shrinkage in China and its climatic background during the past half century. J. Geogr. Sci., 22(1), 15–28 (doi: 10.1007/s11442-012-0908-3)Google Scholar