Geodetic Studies Research Articles

Seismic hazard assessment of the central North Anatolian Fault (Turkey) from GPS-derived strain rates and b-values

ABSTRACTThe North Anatolian Fault (NAF) represents one of the most seismically active transform zones on Earth. It is characterized by high rates of crustal deformation that generate destructive earthquakes. These rates are induced by convergence of the northward-migrating Arabian and African plates with respect to the stable Eurasian plate. Therefore, the NAF represents a natural earthquake laboratory with a wide range of earthquake sizes (M ≤ 7.9) to investigate by using interdisciplinary approaches (seismological, magnetism, geological, gravitational, and geodetic studies). In this study, we compare the results of an analysis of b-values from seismicity and GPS (Global Positioning System) measurements of the strain rate to understand their coupling in terms of faulting and earthquake hazard implications. In particular, this comparison allows investigation of the spatial correlation between b-value and strain rate maps and is thus able to locate fault segments that have a high potential of generating large earthquake(s). b-Values range from 0.5 to 1.5 along the central NAF. The maximum principal strain rates are positive (tensile), and the minimum principal strain rates are negative (compressive). The surface strain is positive, showing that tensile strain is predominant in areas with high strain rates, consistent with the trend of the corresponding stresses.

Determination of Elastic Parameters of Near-Surface Layers Over Subsidence Trough Development During Longwall Exploitation

Abstract Seismic and geodetic studies were carried out before, during, and after underground exploitation of a coal bed in Katowice - Kleofas Coal Mine, located in the Upper Silesia Coal Basin, Poland. Development of a subsidence trough was completed approximately 3 months after passage of a longwall exploitation in the coal seam. This was the time required for the subsidence trough to appear on the surface, which was confirmed by levelling measurements. Sharp changes in the elastic parameters were observed on each profile during subsidence trough development. This observation can result from changing tension and compression forces caused by increase and/or decrease of the elastic parameters of the rock mass. After completion of subsidence trough development, the rock mass appeared to return to its isotropic state and the observed changes ceased. Some minor fluctuations were noted, but they probably resulted from changes in groundwater levels, which might have affected the measured parameters.

Larger earthquakes recur more periodically: New insights in the megathrust earthquake cycle from lacustrine turbidite records in south-central Chile

Historical and paleoseismic records in south-central Chile indicate that giant earthquakes on the subduction megathrust – such as in AD1960 (Mw9.5) – reoccur on average every ∼300 yr. Based on geodetic calculations of the interseismic moment accumulation since AD1960, it was postulated that the area already has the potential for a Mw8 earthquake. However, to estimate the probability of such a great earthquake to take place in the short term, one needs to frame this hypothesis within the long-term recurrence pattern of megathrust earthquakes in south-central Chile. Here we present two long lacustrine records, comprising up to 35 earthquake-triggered turbidites over the last 4800 yr. Calibration of turbidite extent with historical earthquake intensity reveals a different macroseismic intensity threshold (≥VII1/2 vs. ≥VI1/2) for the generation of turbidites at the coring sites. The strongest earthquakes (≥VII1/2) have longer recurrence intervals (292 ±93 yrs) than earthquakes with intensity of ≥VI1/2 (139±69yr). Moreover, distribution fitting and the coefficient of variation (CoV) of inter-event times indicate that the stronger earthquakes recur in a more periodic way (CoV: 0.32 vs. 0.5). Regional correlation of our multi-threshold shaking records with coastal paleoseismic data of complementary nature (tsunami, coseismic subsidence) suggests that the intensity ≥VII1/2 events repeatedly ruptured the same part of the megathrust over a distance of at least ∼300 km and can be assigned to Mw≥8.6. We hypothesize that a zone of high plate locking – identified by geodetic studies and large slip in AD 1960 – acts as a dominant regional asperity, on which elastic strain builds up over several centuries and mostly gets released in quasi-periodic great and giant earthquakes. Our paleo-records indicate that Poissonian recurrence models are inadequate to describe large megathrust earthquake recurrence in south-central Chile. Moreover, they show an enhanced probability for a Mw 7.7–8.5 earthquake during the next 110 years whereas the probability for a Mw≥8.6 (AD1960-like) earthquake remains low in this period.

Explosive processes during the 2015 eruption of Axial Seamount, as recorded by seafloor hydrophones

AbstractFollowing the installation of the Ocean Observatories Initiative cabled array, the 2015 eruption of Axial Seamount, Juan de Fuca ridge, became the first submarine eruption to be captured in real time by seafloor seismic and acoustic instruments. This eruption also marked the first instance where the entire eruption cycle of a submarine volcano, from the previous eruption in 2011 to the end of the month‐long 2015 event, was monitored continuously using autonomous ocean bottom hydrophones. Impulsive sounds associated with explosive lava‐water interactions are identified within hydrophone records during both eruptions. Explosions within the caldera are acoustically distinguishable from those occurring in association with north rift lava flows erupting in 2015. Acoustic data also record a series of broadband diffuse events, occurring in the waning phase of the eruption, and are interpreted as submarine Hawaiian explosions. This transition from gas‐poor to gas‐rich eruptive activity coincides with an increase in water temperature within the caldera and with a decrease in the rate of deflation. The last recorded diffuse events coincide with the end of the eruption, represented by the onset of inflation. All the observed explosion signals couple strongly into the water column, and only weakly into the solid Earth, demonstrating the importance of hydroacoustic observations as a complement to seismic and geodetic studies of submarine eruptions.

Multi-Stack Persistent Scatterer Interferometry Analysis in Wider Athens, Greece

The wider Athens metropolitan area serves as an interesting setting for conducting geodetic studies. On the one hand, it has a complex regional geotectonic characteristic with several active and blind faults, one of which gave the deadly M w 5.9 Athens earthquake on September 1999. On the other hand, the Greek capital is heavily urbanized, and construction activities have been taking place in the last few decades to address the city’s needs for advanced infrastructures. This work focuses on estimating ground velocities for the wider Athens area in a period spanning two decades, with an extended spatial coverage, increased spatial sampling of the measurements and at high precision. The aim is to deliver to the community a reference geodetic database containing consistent and robust velocity estimates to support further studies for modeling and multi-hazard assessment. The analysis employs advanced persistent scatterer interferometry methods, covering Athens with both ascending and descending ERS-1, ERS-2 and Envisat Synthetic Aperture Radar data, forming six independent interferometric stacks. A methodology is developed and applied to exploit track diversity for decomposing the actual surface velocity field to its vertical and horizontal components and coping with the post-processing of the multi-track big data. Results of the time series analysis reveal that a large area containing the Kifisia municipality experienced non-linear motion; while it had been subsiding in the period 1992–1995 (−12 mm/year), the same area has been uplifting since 2005 (+4 mm/year). This behavior is speculated to have its origin on the regional water extraction activities, which when halted, led to a physical restoration phase of the municipality. In addition, a zoom in the area inflicted by the 1999 earthquake shows that there were zones of counter-force horizontal movement prior to the event. Further analysis is suggested to investigate the source and tectonic implications of this observation.

Semi-parametric segmentation of multiple series using a DP-Lasso strategy

ABSTRACTWe consider a semi-parametric approach to perform the joint segmentation of multiple series sharing a common functional part. We propose an iterative procedure based on Dynamic Programming for the segmentation part and Lasso estimators for the functional part. Our Lasso procedure, based on the dictionary approach, allows us to both estimate smooth functions and functions with local irregularity, which permits more flexibility than previous proposed methods. This yields to a better estimation of the functional part and improvements in the segmentation. The performance of our method is assessed using simulated data and real data from agriculture and geodetic studies. Our estimation procedure results to be a reliable tool to detect changes and to obtain an interpretable estimation of the functional part of the model in terms of known functions.

Geodetic studies with significant contribution to landslide monitoring in south-western Romania – area with high risk potential

Geodetic studies with significant contribution to landslide monitoring in south-western Romania – area with high risk potential

Reduced melt on debris-covered glaciers: investigations from Changri Nup Glacier, Nepal

Abstract. Approximately 25 % of the glacierized area in the Everest region is covered by debris, yet the surface mass balance of debris-covered portions of these glaciers has not been measured directly. In this study, ground-based measurements of surface elevation and ice depth are combined with terrestrial photogrammetry, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and satellite elevation models to derive the surface mass balance of the debris-covered tongue of Changri Nup Glacier, located in the Everest region. Over the debris-covered tongue, the mean elevation change between 2011 and 2015 is −0.93 m year−1 or −0.84 m water equivalent per year (w.e. a−1). The mean emergence velocity over this region, estimated from the total ice flux through a cross section immediately above the debris-covered zone, is +0.37 m w.e. a−1. The debris-covered portion of the glacier thus has an area-averaged mass balance of −1.21 ± 0.2 m w.e. a−1 between 5240 and 5525 m above sea level (m a.s.l.). Surface mass balances observed on nearby debris-free glaciers suggest that the ablation is strongly reduced (by ca. 1.8 m w.e. a−1) by the debris cover. The insulating effect of the debris cover has a larger effect on total mass loss than the enhanced ice ablation due to supraglacial ponds and exposed ice cliffs. This finding contradicts earlier geodetic studies and should be considered for modelling the future evolution of debris-covered glaciers.

Three‐dimensional attenuation model of Sierra Negra Volcano, Galápagos Archipelago

AbstractThe shallow magma system beneath Sierra Negra was imaged using attenuation tomographic methods. The t∗ spectral decay method for P wave phases was used to highlight regions of high which suggest the presence of magma melt. High‐ anomalies ranging from 0.005 to 0.04 are concentrated below the caldera from 0.5 to 10.5 km depths. Attenuation is sensitive to temperature and fluid presence; thus, this high attenuation is interpreted as possible zones of magma accumulation. An imaged shallow body is consistent with geodetic studies on caldera deformation that modeled a magma sill or flattopped diapir of unknown thickness at ∼1 km depth below sea level.

DETECTION OF COASTLINE DEFORMATION USING REMOTE SENSING AND GEODETIC SURVEYS

The coastal areas are being destroyed due to the usage that effect the natural balance. Unconsciously sand mining from the sea for nearshore nourishment and construction uses are the main ones. Physical interferences for mining of sand cause an ecologic threat to the coastal environment. However, use of marine sand is inevitable because of economic reasons or unobtainable land-based sand resources. The most convenient solution in such a protection–usage dilemma is to reduce negative impacts of sand production from marine. This depends on the accurate determination of criteriaon production place, style, and amount of sand. With this motivation, nearshore geodedic surveying studies performed on Kilyos Campus of Bogazici University located on the Black Sea coast, north of Istanbul, Turkey between 2001-2002. The study area extends 1 km in the longshore. Geodetic survey was carried out in the summer of 2001 to detect the initial condition for the shoreline. Long-term seasonal changes in shoreline positions were determined biannually. The coast was measured with post-processed kinematic GPS. <br><br> Besides, shoreline change has studied using Landsat imagery between the years 1986-2015. The data set of Landsat 5 imageries were dated 05.08.1986 and 31.08.2007 and Landsat 7 imageries were dated 21.07.2001 and 28.07.2015. Landcover types in the study area were analyzed on the basis of pixel based classification method. Firstly, unsupervised classification based on ISODATA (Iterative Self Organizing Data Analysis Technique) has been applied and spectral clusters have been determined that gives prior knowledge about the study area. In the second step, supervised classification was carried out by using the three different approaches which are minimum-distance, parallelepiped and maximum-likelihood. All pixel based classification processes were performed with ENVI 4.8 image processing software. Results of geodetic studies and classification outputs will be presented in this paper.

DETECTION OF COASTLINE DEFORMATION USING REMOTE SENSING AND GEODETIC SURVEYS

Abstract. The coastal areas are being destroyed due to the usage that effect the natural balance. Unconsciously sand mining from the sea for nearshore nourishment and construction uses are the main ones. Physical interferences for mining of sand cause an ecologic threat to the coastal environment. However, use of marine sand is inevitable because of economic reasons or unobtainable land-based sand resources. The most convenient solution in such a protection–usage dilemma is to reduce negative impacts of sand production from marine. This depends on the accurate determination of criteriaon production place, style, and amount of sand. With this motivation, nearshore geodedic surveying studies performed on Kilyos Campus of Bogazici University located on the Black Sea coast, north of Istanbul, Turkey between 2001-2002. The study area extends 1 km in the longshore. Geodetic survey was carried out in the summer of 2001 to detect the initial condition for the shoreline. Long-term seasonal changes in shoreline positions were determined biannually. The coast was measured with post-processed kinematic GPS. Besides, shoreline change has studied using Landsat imagery between the years 1986-2015. The data set of Landsat 5 imageries were dated 05.08.1986 and 31.08.2007 and Landsat 7 imageries were dated 21.07.2001 and 28.07.2015. Landcover types in the study area were analyzed on the basis of pixel based classification method. Firstly, unsupervised classification based on ISODATA (Iterative Self Organizing Data Analysis Technique) has been applied and spectral clusters have been determined that gives prior knowledge about the study area. In the second step, supervised classification was carried out by using the three different approaches which are minimum-distance, parallelepiped and maximum-likelihood. All pixel based classification processes were performed with ENVI 4.8 image processing software. Results of geodetic studies and classification outputs will be presented in this paper.

Time-scale and mechanism of subsidence at Lassen Volcanic Center, CA, from InSAR

Observations of volcanic subsidence have contributed to our understanding of the eruption cycle, hydrothermal systems and the formation of continental crust. Lassen Volcanic Center is one of two volcanoes in the southern Cascades known to have subsided in recent decades, but the onset, temporal evolution, and cause of subsidence remain unconstrained. Here we use multiple sets of InSAR data, each corrected using the North American Regional Reanalysis atmospheric model, to determine the temporal and spatial characteristics of deformation between 1992 and 2010. Throughout this period all datasets reveal subsidence of a broad, 30–40km wide region at rates of ~10mm/yr. Evaluating past geodetic studies we suggest that subsidence may have been ongoing since the 1980s, before which it is unlikely that significant ground deformation occurred. By combining multiple tracks of InSAR data we find that the ratio of horizontal to vertical displacements is high (up to 3:1), and source inversions favour a point source located at ~8km depth. Time-series analysis suggests that the rate of volume change of this source may have varied over time. The source geometry and the temporal evolution of deformation contrasts to subsidence observed at nearby Medicine Lake Volcano since the 1950s. We evaluate possible causes of subsidence at Lassen Volcanic Center in light of tectonic setting and hydrothermal activity, and suggest that regional GPS measurements will be key to understanding the role of crustal extension plus other hydrothermal/magmatic processes in deformation during recent decades.

Energy-Efficient Electric Drive of the Cableway Supplied by the MiniHydroelectric Power Station

Objectives: This paper deals with the problem of power supply of the electric drive of the cableway and its infrastructure provided by a mini-hydroelectric power station in the area of the Talgar-Issyk passage on the site chosen as a result of geodetic studies and satellite images. Methods/Analysis: It analyzes the hydropower potential of this area and offers a hydroelectric unit HU4 developed by MNTO INSET for a mini-hydroelectric power station. The problem is suggested to be solved through the use of internal resources of the regions. The equipment with the economical electric drive was selected for the cableway. Findings: Many scenic spots are located far away from power stations, and to provide an electric power line is not always possible, besides it is also quite an expensive and time-consuming process. The problem of power supply of the infrastructure necessary for recreation and tourism is relevant. The hydropower potential of Kazakhstan is measured at 170 billion kWh per year. However, the southern zone with hundreds of mountain small rivers has a 65% margin of hydropower resources of the republic where it is advisable to use micro- and mini-hydroelectric power stations. According to the calculations carried out in this research, the capacity needed for power supply of the electric drive of the cableway along with the infrastructure of the tourist camp is in the range of 500-600 kW. Applications: This paper will help to solve the problem of power supply of the electric drive of the cableway provided by a mini-hydroelectric power station. At the same time, the variable-frequency electric drive of the cableway will save a significant share of the electric power consumed from the mini-hydroelectric power station.

Deciphering neotectonics from river profile analysis in the karst Jura Mountains (northern Alpine foreland)

The study of the neotectonic activity in the Jura Mountains (northwestern most belt of the European Alps) represents a challenge in the application of quantitative geomorphology to extract landscape metrics and discuss potential coupling between tectonic, climatic and lithospheric mechanisms during the evolution of this mountain belt. The Jura Mountains are characterized by a karst calcareous bedrock, slightly affected by Quaternary glaciations, and by moderated uplift rates (<1 mm/year). In this study, we performed river profile analyses to decipher comparable geomorphological signals along tectonic structures within the entire Jura arc. Our results suggest higher tectonic activity in the High Range of the belt (internal part) than in the External Range, which is discussed in terms of deformation mechanisms. Integration of our results with previous geomorphological, neotectonic and geodetic studies from the literature leads us to propose new potential lithospheric and tectonic mechanism(s) driving the Plio-Quaternary deformation of the Jura Mountains. Our study finally reveals a regional-scale correlation between neotectonic deformations recorded by the Jura drainage network and the predicted isostatic rebound in response to Alpine Quaternary erosion. However, the correlation between our geomorphic signals and compressive structures suggests that the Jura Mountains could be still in horizontal shortening in both the High Range and the External Range.

Tsunami potential from local seismic sources along the southern Middle America Trench

The Middle America convergent margin is capable of generating tsunamigenic earthquakes as portrayed through historical data. However, historical tsunamigenic sources appear to be unevenly distributed along the Middle America convergent margin. The last significant tsunami generated along the southern segments of this convergent margin occurred in 1992 causing 10-m run-up in Nicaragua. In particular, the Costa Rican Pacific coast has not clear evidences of significant wave heights or local tsunami events. Partly this could be explained by the lack of historical data since paleotsunami information is not available; thus, no tsunami data beyond 500 years could be found. Nevertheless, large rupture areas or shallow ruptures offshore Costa Rica cannot be neglected. We hereby present the results of numerical simulations aimed to assess the tsunamigenic potential of seismic sources offshore southern Central America. Our approach follows the deterministic method where earthquake maximum credible scenarios are assessed. We assumed hundreds of fault ruptures to obtain surface displacement and tsunami wave heights at the shoreline to assess the tsunami threat along south Nicaragua and Costa Rica. These fault scenarios are based on historical earthquakes as well as on the newest geodetic studies that provided slip deficit. Shallow part of locked segments in this region could release accumulated stress in the near future and may generate tsunamis similar to the 1992 Nicaragua M w 7.6 and 2012 El Salvador M w 7.4 tsunami earthquakes. The numerical simulations presented in this study show that maximum wave heights up to 2–6 m could affect the southern Pacific coast of Central America even when moderate-to-large M w 7.0–8.0 interplate or outer rise earthquakes occur.

Contemporary ground deformation in the Taupo Rift and Okataina Volcanic Centre from 1998 to 2011, measured using GPS

The Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ) is one of the world's most productive regions of rhyolitic volcanism and contains the highly active Okataina Volcanic Centre (OVC). Within the TVZ, intra-arc extension is expressed as normal faulting within a zone known as the Taupo Rift. The OVC is located within a complex part of the rift, where volcanism and deformation is considered influenced by rift structure and kinematics. There has been significant research on the structural, volcanic and geophysical properties of the rift and OVC, but less focus on deformation using geodetic data. The limited studies that have utilized geodetic data do not clearly resolve the distribution of deformation and strain rates within the rift and OVC. This is essential to ensure that deformation signals from volcanic processes at the OVC are correctly identified and distinguished from those related to regional tectonic or local hydrothermal processes within the rift. In this paper, we present a picture of contemporary deformation at the OVC and within the surrounding rift in detail, using existing and new GPS campaign and continuous GPS (cGPS) data collected between 1998 and 2011. The results show a highly heterogeneous deformation and strain rate field (both extension and shortening) through the study area, partitioned into different parts of the rift. Our results agree well with earlier geodetic studies, as well as identify new features, but some deformation patterns conflict with long-term geological observations. In the OVC, we observe a locally rotated horizontal velocity field, significant vertical deformation and variable strain rates across the caldera. In the Tarawera Rift, we identify elevated extension and shear rates, which may have significant implications for volcanism there. A shortening pattern is identified through the central rift, which is unexpected in an intra-arc rifting environment. We attempt to explain the source/s of shortening and extension and discuss their implications for geodetic monitoring efforts in the OVC.

Slip rates and locking depth variation along central and easternmost segments of North Anatolian Fault

While the kinematics of Anatolia plate and the North Anatolian Fault System (NAFS) has been studied extensively, the slip rate and locking depth along the NAFS are usually assumed constant in the analyses due to the lack of sufficient data. This is also partly due to the reasonably good fit of Euler small circle and partly due to the lack of spatial resolution of observations to determine slip rates independently from locking depths. On the other hand, recent geodetic studies show a contrast for locking depth between Marmara and other parts of the NAFS, implying a non-uniform locking depth across the NAFS. In this study, we analyse new GPS data and homogenously combine available data sets covering the eastern part of the NAFS to form the most complete data set. In particular, we incorporate the first results of Turkish Real-Time Kinematic GPS Network (CORS-TR) into our data set. A detailed analysis of three profiles within the NAFS reveals an increase of locking depth in the middle profile to 19.1 ± 3.4 km from 11.9 ± 3.5 km in the easternmost profile while the slip rate is nearly constant (20–22 mm yr−1), which implies a variation of strain rate of ∼100 nanostrain yr−1. Assuming a constant locking depth throughout whole NAFS gives an average locking depth of 14.3 ± 1.7 km. Our best estimates of slip rates in block modelling which takes the variation of locking depths into account are in the range between 22.5 and 22.8 mm yr−1 over eastern part of the NAFS.

A review about the mechanisms associated with active deformation, regional uplift and subsidence in southern South America

A broad range of processes acted simultaneously during the Quaternary producing relief in the Andes and adjacent foreland, from the Chilean coast, where the Pacific Ocean floor is being subducted beneath South American, to the Brazilian and the Argentinean Atlantic platform area. This picture shows to be complex and responds to a variety of processes. The Geoid exemplifies this spectrum of uplift mechanisms, since it reflects an important change at 35°S along the Andes and the foreland that could be indicating the presence of dynamic forces modeling the topography with varying intensity through the subduction margin. On the other hand, mountains uplifted in the Atlantic margin, along a vast sector of the Brazilian Atlantic coast and inland regions seem to be created at the area where the passive margin has been hyper-extended and consequently mechanically debilitated and the forearc region shifts eastwardly at a similar rate than the westward advancing continent. Therefore the forearc at the Arica latitudes can be considered as relatively stationary and dynamically sustained by a perpendicular-to-the-margin asthenospheric flow that inhibits trench roll back, determining a highly active orogenic setting at the eastern Andes in the Subandean region. To the south, the Pampean flat subduction zone creates particular conditions for deformation and rapid propagation of the orogenic front producing a high-amplitude orogen. In the southern Central and Patagonian Andes, mountain (orogenic) building processes are attenuated, becoming dominant other mechanisms of exhumation such as the i) impact of mantle plumes originated in the 660 km mantle transition, ii) the ice-masse retreat from the Andes after the Pleistocene producing an isostatic rebound, iii) the dynamic topography associated with the opening of an asthenospheric window during the subduction of the Chile ridge and slab tearing processes, iv) the subduction of oceanic swells linked to transform zones and v) the accretion of oceanic materials beneath the forearc region. Additionally and after last geodetic studies, vi) exhumation due to co- and post-seismic lithospheric stretching associated with large earthquakes along the subduction zone, also shows to be a factor associated with regional uplift that needs to be further considered as an additional mechanism from the Chilean coast to the western retroarc area. Finally, this revision constitutes a general picture about the different mechanisms of uplift and active deformation along the Southern Andes, in which orogenic processes become dominant north of 35°S, while south of these latitudes dynamic forces seem to predominate all over the Patagonian platform.

Rapid Plate Motion Variations Through Geological Time: Observations Serving Geodynamic Interpretation

Past and current plate motions are increasingly well mapped from high-temporal-resolution paleomagnetic and geodetic studies, revealing rapid variations that occur on short timescales relative to the time it takes for the large-scale structure associated with mantle buoyancy to evolve. The rates of change of plate velocities hold key information on the geodynamic, tectonic, and Earth's surface processes that may have caused them. Rapid plate motion changes thus provide us with a unique opportunity to quantify the forcing associated with these processes. Important mechanisms capable of inducing such rapid changes include evolving plate boundary forces, for example, those associated with slab sinking or orogeny along convergent margins, as well as temporal variations in pressure-driven flow within the asthenosphere that link plate velocity variations explicitly to changes in dynamic topography. Here, we focus on (a) findings from recent kinematic observations and (b) the quantitative framework that allows their geodynamic interpretation.

Four decades of glacier mass balance observations in the Indian Himalaya

Understanding the glacier mass balance is necessary to explain the rate of shrinkage and to infer the impact of climate change. The present study provides an overview of the glacier mass balance records by glaciological, geodetic, hydrological and accumulation-area ratio (AAR) and specific mass balance relationship methods in the Indian Himalaya since 1970s. It suggests that the mass balance measurements by glaciological methods have been conducted for ten glaciers in the western Himalaya, four glaciers in the central Himalaya and one in the eastern Himalaya. Hydrological mass balance has been conducted only on Siachen Glacier from 1987 to 1991. Geodetic method has been attempted for the Lahaul–Spiti region for a short time span during 1999–2011 and Hindu Kush–Karakoram–Himalaya region from 2003 to 2008. We compared in situ specific balance data series with specific mass balance derived from AAR and specific mass balance relationship. The results derived from existing and newly presented regression model based on AAR and specific mass balance relationship induced unrealistic specific mass balance for several glaciers. We also revised AAR0 and ELA0 based on available in situ AAR and specific mass balance data series of Indian Himalayan glaciers. In general, in situ specific and cumulative specific mass balance observed over different regions of the Indian Himalayan glaciers shows mostly negative mass balance years with a few positive ones during 1974–2012. On a regional level, the geodetic studies suggest that on the whole western, the central and the eastern Himalaya experienced vast thinning during the last decade (2000s). Conversely, Karakoram region showed slight mass gain during almost similar period. However, the glaciological, hydrological and geodetic mass balance data appear to exhibit short time series bias. We therefore recommend creation of benchmark glaciers network for future research to determine the impact of climate change on the Himalayan cryosphere.