Modern data on glaciation of the northern slope of Tavan-Bogdo-Ola massif (Altai)

Abstract

SummaryAs of 2015, 16 glaciers, their total area 23.46 km 2 and the weighted-mean altitude of the firn line 3335 m, were isolated on the Northern slope of the of the Tavan-Bogdo-Ola massif (Altai) on the basis of field studies and analysis of satellite images (Landsat-7, SPOT-5, Geoeye-1, CARTOSAT-1). The differences in elevation of the firn lines on the West and East of the investigated area reach 460 m, while the intensity of glaciation differs in 2 times due to changes of annual precipitation from 360 mm in the East to 880 mm in the West. Data on the glaciation had been improved and complemented for three time sections

Present Glaciers of Tavan Bogd Massif in the Altai Mountains, Central Asia, and Their Changes since the Little Ice Age

“…Precipitation is low (average annual precipitation 200.6 mm) with a pronounced summer maximum (59% of the annual total precipitation) and an almost snowless winter (5% of the total). In the glaciated zone, annual precipitation is significantly higher; for example, on the firn line altitude it increases from about 365 mm to 880 mm from the east to the west along the slope [56].…”

“…Based on those results, the total area of the glaciers of Tavan Bogd in 1987 was estimated to be 222.3 km 2 , and a rough estimate of the LIA area of the glaciers (260 km 2 ) was also made [40]. Since 1999, the glaciers of the north slope have been continuously studied by the scientists of Saint Petersburg State University, via field observations and remote sensing [41][42][43]. In 2000-2001, a group of scientists from the Altai State University made field observations of the glaciers of the northern slope and of the largest Mongolian glaciers of Tavan Bogd [44].…”

Present Glaciers of Tavan Bogd Mountain Massif and Their Changes Since the LIA

“…Precipitation is low (average annual precipitation 200.6 mm) with a pronounced summer maximum (59% of the annual total precipitation) and almost snowless winter (5% of the total). In the glaciated zone annual precipitation is sufficiently higher, for example on the firn line altitude it increases from about 365 mm to 880 mm from the east to the west along the slope [29].…”

“…Basing on those results the total area of the glaciation of Tavan Bogd in 1987 was estimated by 222.3 km 2 , also a rough estimate of the LIA area of the glaciers has been made (260 km 2 ) [44]. Since 1999 the glaciers of the north slope are continuously studied by the scientists of Saint-Petersburg state university (field observations and remote sensing) [45][46][47][48] In recent years, significant progress has been made in the study of the glaciers of Tavan Bogd due to the use of remote methods [53,54], in particular in the compilation of the second Chinese glacier Inventory [55] and GLIMS (Global Land Ice Measurements from Space) database and the Randolph Glacier Inventory [56].…”

“…A break point in the trend appeared in the late 1970s with mean annual mass balance per year decreasing from −0. According to the data from the comparison of aerial photographs with field data, the reduction of the glaciers of the northern slope of Tavan Bogd was estimated 24.3% [48], the data from this study has been used in the current article (valley glaciers of the north slope retreat estimations).…”