Glacial landforms and geometric transformations: tracing the history of Pensilungpa and Durung-Drung glaciers in Suru and Doda River valleys, Western Himalaya, Ladakh
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Glacier retreat in Zanskar Himalaya is accelerating, with proglacial lakes expanding significantly due to increased melt. This highlights the vulnerability of Himalayan glaciers to climate change.
Area Of Science
- Glaciology and Geomorphology
- Climate Change Studies
- Hydrology
Background
- The Zanskar Himalaya region hosts significant glaciers, including Durung-Drung (DDG) and Pensilungpa (PG).
- Understanding glacier dynamics and associated lake evolution is crucial for assessing regional climate change impacts.
Purpose Of The Study
- To investigate the geomorphological, morphological, and glacier lake dynamics of DDG and PG glaciers.
- To analyze past glacier advancements and recessions using moraine evidence.
- To quantify changes in periglacial and proglacial lake volumes and surface areas.
Main Methods
- Geomorphological mapping of lateral and recessional moraines to reconstruct glacier history.
- Analysis of glacier terminus positions and retreat rates from 2015-2023.
- Detailed study of periglacial and proglacial lake dimensions, surface area, and water volume changes.
Main Results
- Evidence of five glacier advancement stages and 21 (DDG) / 9 (PG) deglaciation phases identified through moraines.
- Significant expansion of proglacial lakes near DDG (164% area, 190% volume, 2004-2023).
- Accelerated glacier terminus retreat observed: -21 ± 12 m/yr for DDG and -10 ± 4 m/yr for PG.
Conclusions
- Glacier recession and melt are accelerating in the Zanskar Himalaya, consistent with global climate change trends.
- The substantial increase in proglacial lake volumes indicates intensified glacial melt processes.
- Himalayan glacial dynamics are highly sensitive to climate change, necessitating continued monitoring.
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