On a possibility to use the remote sensing techniques for glaciological analysis in mountain regions of Uzbekistan

Abstract

The ALOS/AVNIR-2 satellite data (2007–2010) allowed estimating areas of glaciers, change in the areas for 50 years, and the number and areas of new naturally-dammed lakes in the mountain regions of Uzbekistan. Boundaries of these gla‑ ciers together with the ALOS/PALSAR data (2010) were used as the basis to determine position of the firn line. It was revealed that since 1980s elevation range of the line gradually decreased. The relationship between average elevation of the firn line and the upper limit of the juniper tree occurrence as well as changing of this relation since 1980s are consid‑ ered. The revealed lakes served as the basis for verification of probabilistic model of the moraine-dammed lake forma‑ tions due to the glacier recessions in the basins under consideration. It was shown that the GIS-techniques based on the use of this model together with data on glaciation and the relief digital model may significantly simplify searching of new lakes. Application of a system of the mudflow movement modeling makes possible to estimate a risk level in a case of a lake bursting. Current information about changing elevations of the glacier surfaces was obtained duet to the radar inter‑ ferometry and the altimeter data. The digital model of the river Pskem upper course (the DEM) had been built using the satellite TerraSAR‑X/TanDEM‑X data (2011–2012). All datasets of the elevations were checked for horizontal shifts of the relief digital models relative to the ICESat profiles (2003–2008). Evaluation of accuracy and morphological analysis of all the relief models for the investigated region were also made. DEMs differencing, the difference between ICESat measure‑ ments and DEM, nearby ICESat footprints within one track and between the tracks were carried out to assess the change in elevations of the glacier surfaces. Average rate of the surface lowering of an individual glacier with the maximal number of footprints (7) in the track is equal to −1 m/year; on average for 7 corrie-valley glaciers with northern/north-eastern exposition, it is −1.3 m/year in the ablation zone. This rate increases toward to the glacier terminus. Average local mass balance in the ablation zone of the Barkrak Glacier is egual to −0.82±0.36 m w.e. a−1 for the period since 2000 till 2012.