Dynamics of glaciers Tomich and Vodopadny (Altai) for the second half of XX – beginning of XXI centuries

Abstract

Estimates of dynamics of two Altai glaciers Tomich (Katun Ridge) and Vodopadny (North Chuisky Ridge) for the whole period of instrumental observations are shown in the paper. Data on changes of the glaciers’ areas and volumes were obtained from the topographic maps, satellite images and author’s field researches performed in 2009–2011. During the period of observations (1952–2012), the glacier areas decreased by 19–25%, and the volumes by 34–45%, and the maximum loss of ice took place since the mid-1990s up to present time. The annual rate of the ice loss has been linked to the average summer air temperature over the glacier area of Altai.

Keywords

• climate changes
• glacier
• ice volume
• monitoring
• topography survey