Micrometeorological Analysis and Glacier Ablation Simulation in East Kunlun

Abstract

Worldwide, there are great challenges for meteorological monitoring and glacier ablation monitoring in high-altitude mountain areas. It is often difficult to capture fine-scale climate and glacial changes in high-altitude mountainous areas due to the harsh natural environment and the extreme lack of observational sites. Based on high-altitude meteorological stations erected on the eastern shore of Aqikkule Lake (AQK) and at the terminus of Shenshechuan Glacier (SSG), as well as on mass balance data from SSG, the characteristics and correlation of temperature, solar radiation, relative humidity, precipitation, wind speed and direction of the two regions, and the mass balance in the ablation area of SSG from 30 May 2022 to 18 May 2023 were analyzed, and the average melting depth of SSG was simulated. The results indicate the following: (1) The average annual temperature of AQK and the terminus of SSG is −3.7 °C and −7.7 °C, respectively, and the vertical lapse rate of temperature in the summer half of the year is greater than that in the winter half of the year. Precipitation timing has a great influence on daily temperature differences. (2) Precipitation in both places is concentrated in summer; the glaciers in this area are of the summer recharge type, and precipitation has a significant reducing effect on the solar incident radiation and increases the relative humidity in this region. (3) AQK and SSG both have local circulation development, in the area of AQK all year round due to the lake effect, while the terminus of SSG only has the development of valley winds in the summer, being controlled in the winter by the westerly wind belt. (4) The average mass balance value of the ablation area of SSG was −1786 mm as measured by the range poles method. The average annual ablation depth of SSG simulated by using the empirical formula was 587–597 mm, which is not large compared with other glacier areas in the Tibetan Plateau, and it has the characteristics of typical continental-type glaciers.

Hydrogeochemical Characteristics of Earthquake-Related varied-temperature Springs along the Eastern Kunlun Fault Zone, China

“…The research area falls within a transition zone that exhibits characteristics of both arid and semiarid climates, accompanied by cold alpine conditions [29]. The yearly mean temperature hovers around −3.7 °C to −7.7 °C [30], and the annual precipitation amounts to ~250 mm, concentrated mainly in summer. The region experiences high evaporation rates and a dry climate.…”

“…Surface water sources include atmospheric precipitation, glacial meltwater, and lakes. [30,31]. The topography of the study area slopes downward from the higher northeast to the lower southwest.…”

The Hydrogeochemistry of and Earthquake-Related Chemical Variations in the Springs along the Eastern Kunlun Fault Zone, China

“…The research area falls within a transition zone that exhibits characteristics of both arid and semi-arid climates, accompanied by cold alpine conditions [29]. The yearly mean temperature hovers around −3.7 • C to −7.7 • C [30], and the annual precipitation amounts to ~250 mm, concentrated mainly in the summer. The region experiences high evaporation rates and a dry climate.…”

“…The region experiences high evaporation rates and a dry climate. Its surface water sources include atmospheric precipitation, glacial meltwater, and lakes [30,31]. Its topography slopes downward from the higher northeast to the lower southwest.…”

Changes in Qinghai Lake Area and Their Interactions with Climatic Factors

“…The Tibetan Plateau (TP), distinguished by its high average elevation, is among the world's regions most densely populated with lakes [8,9]. The dynamics of this area, particularly changes in the surface areas and numbers of lakes, are heavily influenced by precipitation and the melting of glaciers [10][11][12][13][14][15]. Characterized by dry air and intense evaporation, TP exhibits a rapid transfer of lake water to the atmosphere following precipitation events.…”