GLACIER VARIABILITY IN THE DHAULIGANGA BASIN, CENTRAL HIMALAYA

Glaciers are useful agents in analyzing a changing climate. This study analyzes five glacier complex draining in the Dhauliganga River in Central Himalayan region using a combination of ASTER and Landsat satellite imageries and image processing techniques to understand the dynamic response of each glacier. Specifically, we analyzed terminus fluctuations from 1978-2018 and ice velocity changes in last two decades. Our glacier fluctuation results show a significant amount of retreat in the last 46 years. The Raj Bank glacier has retreated a total of 565 meters at an average rate of 12.58m/yr. The S. Bankund Glacier has retreated a total of 372 meters at an average rate of 8.27 m/yr. The Bankund glacier has retreated a total of 380 meters at an average rate of 8.44 m/yr. The Raikhana glacier has retreated 165 meters at an average rate of 3.67 m/yr. Finally, the E. Kamet glacier has retreated a total of 152 meters at an average rate of 3.38 m/yr. Each of the studied glaciers also shows the gradual formation of supraglacial lakes, which is indicative of glacial downwasting and depicts the glacier’s response to a changing climate. Our preliminary results show ice movement towards terminus of the glacier; although significant year-to-year variability was also measured. Further analysis and research of the glacier complex is warranted to gain a deeper understanding and predict future behavior of the glaciers in reaction to the changing climate.