Abstract
Since the last complete glacier mapping of Mt. Kenya in 2004, strong glacier retreat and glacier disintegration have been reported. Here, we compile and present a new glacier inventory of Mt. Kenya to document recent glacier change. Glacier area and mass changes were derived from an orthophoto and digital elevation model extracted from Pléiades tri-stereo satellite images. We additionally explore the feasibility of using freely available imagery (Sentinel-2) and an alternative elevation model (TanDEM-X-DEM) for monitoring very small glaciers in complex terrain, but both proved to be inappropriate; Sentinel-2 because of its too coarse horizontal resolution compared to the very small glaciers, and TanDEM-X-DEM because of errors in the steep summit area of Mt. Kenya. During 2004–2016, the total glacier area on Mt. Kenya decreased by 121.0 × 10³ m² (44%). The largest glacier (Lewis) lost 62.8 × 10³ m² (46%) of its area and 1.35 × 10³ m³ (57%) of its volume during the same period. The mass loss of Lewis Glacier has been accelerating since 2010 due to glacier disintegration, which has led to the emergence of a rock outcrop splitting the glacier in two parts. If the current retreat rates prevail, Mt. Kenya’s glaciers will be extinct before 2030, implying the cessation of the longest glacier monitoring record of the tropics.
Highlights
Glaciers act as low pass filters of climate variability [1], and are, key indicators of climate change [2]
Glacier area and mass changes were derived from an orthophoto and digital elevation model extracted from Pléiades tri-stereo satellite images
We explore the feasibility of using freely available imagery (Sentinel-2) and an alternative elevation model (TanDEM-X-digital elevation model (DEM)) for monitoring very small glaciers in complex terrain, but both proved to be inappropriate; Sentinel-2 because of its too coarse horizontal resolution compared to the very small glaciers, and TanDEM-X-DEM because of errors in the steep summit area of Mt
Summary
Glaciers act as low pass filters of climate variability [1], and are, key indicators of climate change [2]. For this reason, glacier monitoring is implemented in the Global Climate/Terrestrial. Following the tiers defined in this strategy, long-term observations of glaciers currently demonstrate historically unprecedented global glacier area and mass losses [4], which pose challenges to existing monitoring networks, such as glacier disintegration, increasing debris cover, and complete extinction of glaciers [5]. Enhanced Earth observing systems facilitate glacier monitoring in most remote areas [8], the variations of very small glaciers (
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
