Frontal changes in medium-sized glaciers in Sikkim, India during 1988–2018: Insights for glacier-climate synthesis over the Himalaya

Abstract

The study assesses terminus retreat of medium-sized glaciers (1988-2018) using geospatial dataset and field study in Sikkim which is under the direct influence of the Indian SW monsoon. It also explores the causes of intra-regional and inter-regional diverse patterns of glacier retreat under the purview of topographical and climatic factors to develop a glacier-climate synthesis over the region. Glaciers have retreated in a range from 63.9 to 3.9m yr-1 and lost a total area of ∼2.53% (0.08% yr-1) in the study area. The intra-regional heterogeneity in glaciers retreat seems to be caused by topographical factors in the study area. A comparison of glacier retreats with other parts of the Himalayas reveals a declining gradient from the northwest to the eastern Himalayas, broadly. This inter-regional disparity in the retreat rate seems to be caused by existing climatic regimes over different parts of the Himalayas. The results help to comprehend the glacier-climate synthesis over the Himalayan region.