Spatiotemporal Variation in Surface Velocity of Glaciers, Namely, Mount Kolahoi in the Lidder Basin Between 2016 and 2019 Using Landsat 8 Imagery

Abstract

AbstractThere is hard evidence of melting in Himalayan glaciers at remarkable rate in the past few decades. In the present study, the changes in Kolahoi glaciers in Himalaya are estimated. Glacier surface velocity is key constraints of the glaciers among other than main component that used to understand the glacier dynamics. In this present research abstract, surface velocity glaciers, namely, Mount Kolahoi in the Lidder Basin between 2016 and 2019 during three time span 2016–2017, 2017–2018, and 2018–2019 are likely to explore spatiotemporal characteristics of surface velocity of these glaciers via a cross-correlation algorithm functional on Landsat 8 panchromatic images, i.e., Band 8 with a resolution of 15 m. A decrease of _29% in average annual surface velocity and 20% in average mean annual surface velocity is observed during 2016–2017 in comparison with the average annual surface velocity during 2017–2018 and _33% in average annual surface velocity and 30% in average mean annual surface velocity is observed during 2017–2018 in comparison with the average annual surface velocity during 2018–2019 for Mount Kolahoi Glaciers. The analysis of transverse and lateral velocity profile of the glaciers is also carried out to conclude the governing factor responsible for glacier dynamics. The area of the glacier and the glacier snout from 1990 to 2019 are look over. It is reported in the study that the glacier area shrunk between August 7, 1990 and September 10, 2019 was 8.5 sq. km. and 7 sq. km. and it is found in this study that the rate of recession in the glacier from 1990 to 2019 is 0.051 sq. km. per year. Reduction in the glacier snout and glacier area has resulted that the Mount Kolahoi Glacier, Jammu and Kashmir, is shrinking and dimensional changes.KeywordsKolahoi glacierSurface velocitySpatiotemporalLandsat 8Cross-correlation