Abstract
The nature of hydrological seasonality over the Himalayan Glaciated Region (HGR) is complex due to varied precipitation patterns. The present study attempts to exemplify the spatio-temporal variation of hydrological mass over the HGR using time-variable gravity from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite for the period of 2002–2016 on seasonal and interannual timescales. The mass signal derived from GRACE data is decomposed using empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs), allowing us to identify the three broad divisions of HGR, i.e., western, central, and eastern, based on the seasonal mass gain or loss that corresponds to prevailing climatic changes. Further, causative relationships between climatic variables and the EOF decomposed signals are explored using the Granger causality algorithm. It appears that a causal relationship exists between total precipitation and total water storage from GRACE. EOF modes also indicate certain regional anomalies such as the Karakoram mass gain, which represents ongoing snow accumulation. Our causality result suggests that the excessive snowfall in 2005–2008 has initiated this mass gain. However, as our results indicate, despite the dampening of snowfall rates after 2008, mass has been steadily increasing in the Karakorum, which is attributed to the flattening of the temperature anomaly curve and subsequent lower melting after 2008.
Highlights
Introduction of Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) DataRemote Sens. 2021, The Himalaya holds one of the major concentrations of glaciers outside the poles [1].These glaciers are a significant water source for major river basins such as the Ganga, Brahmaputra, Indus, Yangtze, Irrawaddy, etc
We demarcate Himalayan Glaciated Region (HGR) into three broad regions depending on the dominant correlating variable, i.e., western, eastern, and central zone
The western region shows a snowfall-specific accumulation occurring in February to March and picking up again post-monsoon, with a negligible monsoon rainfall compared to winter snow precipitation
Summary
Introduction of GRACE DataRemote Sens. 2021, The Himalaya holds one of the major concentrations of glaciers outside the poles [1].These glaciers are a significant water source for major river basins such as the Ganga, Brahmaputra, Indus, Yangtze, Irrawaddy, etc. 2021, The Himalaya holds one of the major concentrations of glaciers outside the poles [1]. The melt-water released from them into the river basins during summer months maintains a healthy base flow and serves as a major source of fresh water supply during the non-monsoon months for the millions of people living in these river basins. For these reasons, the monitoring of Himalayan glaciers is vital, as variations in melting or accumulation of these glaciers may lead to increased river flows, unseasonal flooding, overall sea-level rise [2], or drying-up of rivers.
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