Spatio-temporal fluctuations over Chorabari glacier, Garhwal Himalaya, India between 1976 and 2017

Abstract

The current research work deals with the health of Chorabari glacier between 1976 and 2017, using multi spectral and multi dated satellite data series of LANDSAT (MSS, TM, and ETM+) and RESOURCESAT II (LISS IV). Result closely reveals that the studied glacier receding continuously with inconsistent rate for the last 41 years and rate of receding dominates significantly after 2012. It lost ~306.43 ± 61 m total length (7.46 ± 1.48 m a−1); 0.074 km2 frontal area (0.0018 km2 a−1); 0.31 km2 (24%) glaciated area (0.007 km2 a−1); 0.015 km3 (32.60%) glaciated volume. The upward migration of SLA (Snow Line Altitude) from 5265 m to 5290 m also suggests that the melting process were prevailing during the study tenure. An existence of supra glacial lakes and its successive growth over the surface of Chorabari glacier further justifies that the temperature of the surroundings has increased significantly and influences the melting process as well. The melting process between 1976 and 1990 of the studied glacier directly influenced by the frequent episodes of precipitation and temperature anomalies of central Himalayan region during 1960–1990. While the melting process after 1990 is directly influenced by the increase in average mean temperature and decrease in average mean precipitation of Garhwal Himalayan region. The tree ring data of Garhwal Himalaya region also well matches the precipitation data of IMD (Indian Meteorological Department). The overall analysis explains that the Chorabari glacier is retreating continuously since 1976.