Abstract
Abstract. In glacier dynamics, surface velocity of glacier is an important parameter to understand the behaviour of glacier in absence of mass balance and long-term glacier area change information. In present study, surface velocity of Samudra Tapu Glacier, India is estimated using freely available Landsat-8 OLI (PAN) images during 2013–2017. To estimate surface velocity, open source COSI-Corr tool is used which is based on cross-correlation algorithm. Maximum annual surface velocity estimated is 55.68 ± 4.01 m/year during 2015–2016 while the minimum surface velocity being 44.99 ± 4.67 m/year in 2016–2017. The average annual velocity during 2013–2017 was 50.51 ± 4.49 m/year which is higher than other glaciers in Chandra basin. The variation in annual surface velocity is analysed which not only depends on mass loss but also on temperature, pressure and internal drainage. Further, as one moves opposite to glacier terminus, the surface velocity increases with the increase in glacier elevation and slope. The higher surface velocity can be attributed to the fact that Samudra Tapu is a top-heavy glacier based on HI index analysis having larger accumulation area along with high glacier ice-thickness.
Highlights
Glaciers are highly sensitive to climate change and an increase in glaciers retreat rate is observed all over the world due to climate change since last decade (Azam et al, 2018)
Surface velocity of glacier is computed by drilling the stakes on the glacier and using Global Positioning System (GPS)
In 2013-2014, annual surface velocity of Samudra Tapu Glacier was 53.79 ± 4.71 m/year which decreased to 44.99 ± 4.67 m/year in 2016-2017
Summary
Glaciers are highly sensitive to climate change and an increase in glaciers retreat rate is observed all over the world due to climate change since last decade (Azam et al, 2018). Kulkarni et al (2006) estimated the glacier retreat rate of Samudra Tapu Glacier during 1962-2000 All these studies related to Samudra Tapu Glacier have been carried out in reference to glacier area, length change and mass balance. This is an important glacier because it has pro-glacial lake in its terminus which is prone to outburst flood (Prakash and Nagarajan, 2018). In the present work, surface velocity of Samudra Tapu Glacier is analysed using freely available Landsat-8 OLI (PAN) images during 2013-2017 to fill the knowledge gap for Samudra Tapu Glacier in Chandra basin. Open source COSICorr tool, a freely available plug-in for commercial ENVI software and based on cross-correlation algorithm, is used for estimation of surface velocity
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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
