Years in-situ mass balance study of Pensilungpa Glacier from 2016 to 2022 in Suru River Valley, Ladakh Himalaya, India. 

Abstract

Recent studies of Himalayan glacier recession indicate that there is wide variability in terminus retreat rate and mass balance in the different sectors of the mountain range, primarily linked to the topography and climate of the region. Variable retreat rates of glacier termini and inadequate supporting field data (e.g. mass balance, ice thickness, velocity, etc.) in the Himalayan glaciers make it difficult to develop a coherent picture of climate change impacts. The mass balance measurements of the Pensilungpa Glacier were conducted from 2016-2017 to 2021-2022 and the study was carried out by using the glaciological method, including fixed date measurement of net accumulation. The glaciological method includes measurements at stakes and in snow pits, which are interpolated to glacier-wide balance estimates. This six-year mass balance study shows a negative trend with an average rate of specific balance is -0.46 m water equivalent (w.e.) and annual mean mass balance was -4.1 x106 m3 w.e. The Glacier lost ~45 ±18 m lengths with an average rate of 6.4 ±3 ma-1, and 24.97 x106 m3 w.e. cumulative volume loss. Also, results show that Pensilungpa Glacier declined the ELAs 20 m from the year 2016.