Interannual variations in the areas of thermokarst lakes in Central Yakutia

Abstract

At present, close attention is given to studies of thermokarst lakes from the standpoint of cryolite zone response to global climate warming. However, other factors, which have an effect on the variation in areas of lakes, in particular, the atmospheric precipitation, receive little attention, while the atmospheric precipitation is one of the main sources of water recharge for many water objects. In this connection, interannual variations in the areas of lakes as a function of precipitation were analyzed on the territory of Central Yakutia. The studies were based on the analysis of space images taken at different time. As the result, it was shown that precipitation has a considerable effect on variations in the areas of thermokarst lakes; there is a direct relationship between variations in lake areas and precipitation; only some single high-water or low-water years have no effect on these variations. Variations in areas of lakes during summer were also analyzed with a view to use the results in choosing the images for studies of interannual variations. It has been revealed that the areas of thermokarst lakes decrease from June to August; this means that the images obtained within a short period at the end of the summer period should be used.