Jaundhar Bamak Glacier tributary retreat, Tons River, Uttarakhand, India

On June 27, 2013June 28, 2013 By mspeltoIn Glacier Observations3 Comments

The Tons River is in Uttarakhand India. The watershed is fed by more than 50 glaciers. The largest are Jaundhar Barak and Bandarpunch, the glaciers of Tons valley are notable for a thick mantle of debris cover, due to the terrain characteristics, and the avalanche fed nature of the glaciers (Pankaj et al, 2012). The Tons River Basin has one significant operational hydropower unit, the Mori Hanol Hydro Power Project (70 MW) with a diversion dam downstream of Mori village. There are other proposed projects in the basin. Mehta et al (2013) observed the spatial changes of Jaundhar Barak, Jhajju and Tilku glaciers in the Tons River basin between 1962 and 2010 using Landsat Satellite data, topographic maps and field surveys. They estimated the overall loss in area to be 3.6 km2 (5.4%) and frontal retreat of 1,700 m, ∼ 800 m and ∼ 700 m for the Jaundhar Barak, Tilku and Jhajju Glaciers. The debris cover (DC) makes it quite difficult to easily identify terminus (T) position using Landsat imagery, Google Earth Imagery is not good either.

Map of Tons River basin glacier from (Pankaj et al, 2012)

Jaundhar Barak Glacier in 2012 arrows indicate flow Debris cover=DC and Terminus=T, tributary glaciers of note discussed below A-E.

Here we use Landsat imagery to identify the retreat of five tributary glaciers that have fed or are feeding into the Jaundhar Barak from the ridge to its north from 2000 to 2012. Jaunhar Barak is a 19 km long glacier with a north and south arm, here we focus on the north arm. The glacier begins near 6000 m and quickly drains into the main valley, at 4900 m the debris cover begins and the lower 13 km of the glacier are debris covered to the glacier end at 3900 m . The tributary glaciers are each a potential income stream for the main glacier, which when lost lead to less snow and ice “income” for the main glacier and then thinning and retreat will follow. The Jaundhar Barak Glacier is The five tributaries are labelled A-E. A comparison of the 2000, 2011 and 2012 images below indicate that: At Point A in 2000 two arms of the tributary glacier joined and it flowed out of the high alpine basin it was in, by 2011 and 2012 the two glacier arms have separated and the glacier is confined to the upper basin. At Point B there is a well established glacier tongue that extends halfway from the tributary to Jaundhar Barak, and by 2012 this tributary terminus has pulled back 200 m, which is nearly 200 m of elevation change also. At Point C in 2000 this tributary joins the main valley glacier and a small tongue of blue ice, its contribution can be seen heading downglacier. By 2012 the Point C tributary no longer reaches the main glacier. At Point D in 2000 the tributary joins the main glacier and like the previous tributary contributes a small tongue of blue ice that heads down the Jaunhar Barak Glacier. By 2011 the Point D tributary is no longer reaching the main glacier. At Point E in 2000 this accumulation area for the glacier is nearly all covered with glacier ice, with only a couple of small bedrock areas seen below the Point. By 2012 the bedrock exposed has coalesced into a one kilometer region separating a portion of the upper glacier from the main valley glacier. The ice from this tongue still may reach the lower glacier via avalanching. The last decade of loss on tributary glaciers more than 10 kilometers above the terminus of Jaundhar Barak indicates that downwasting and retreat of this glacier will continue. This glacier follows the pattern of other glaciers in the Garhwal of the Himalaya in its retreat and downwasting, Jaonli Glaicer, Gangotri Glacier, Satopanth Glacier . It also will feeds hydropower projects as do the other glaciers.

2000 Landsat Image of tributaries on north side of Jaundhar Barak Glacier.

2011 Landsat image

2012 Landsat image

Glacier du Tour Retreat, France

On June 24, 2013 By mspeltoIn Glacier Observations1 Comment

Tour du Glacier is in the Valle de Chamonix and is one valley north of D’Argentiere Glacier and two north of Mer de Glace. Here we examine the retreat of Glacier du Tour from 1988 to 2011 using Landsat imagery and Google Earth. In each image the purple arrow indicates the 1988 terminus. The yellow arrow the top of an icefall at 2650 m. The orange arrow a prominent turn in the Little Ice Age lateral moraine. The red arrow a location along the 2011 ice front. Point A is an area on the south side of the glacier that is thinning, and shows little residual snow accumulation. Point B is another location near the top of a small glacier across the border in Switzerland where ice is being lost at the top of the glacier. Point C is where the tributary flowing from below Aiguille du Tour joins the Glacier du Tour.. In 1988 the glacier terminated at 2200 m, the icefall was 1 km above the terminus and the Aiguille du Tour tributary flowed into the Glacier du Tour. At Point B glacier ice still crosses the ridge at the top of the glacier. By 1999 the had retreated 100 meters, the Aiguille du Tour tributary still reaches the main glacier but is less than 200 m wide. By 2004 the terminus had retreated 200 m (red line) and the glacier is still quite crevassed near the terminus. In 2009 the area of the glacier around Point A has lost nearly all of its ice cover. Several rock knobs are protruding through the ice, purple arrows. The glacier has retreated another 200 m since 2004. At Point C the Aiguille du Tour tributary has a narrow finger that reaches the main glacier. In the 2011 Landsat image the Aiguille du Tour tributary no longer reaches the main glacier. At Point B the ridge that had been ice covered connecting two glaciers is now exposed. There is no snow left on the southern section of the glacier above and flowing down to Point a. The icefall region is now just 500 m above the terminus. The activity of the icefall indicates a continued active flow. The Aiguille du Tour tributary and portion of the glacier feeding Point A do not have significant retained snowcover and are not in equilibrium.
Landsat image 1988, purple arrow indicates the 1988 terminus.

1999 Landsat image.

2004 Google Earth image with a red line indicating terminus.

2009 Google Earth image. Purple arrows indicate bedrock knobs emerging from beneath the ice.

2011 Landsat image with a red arrow indicating the terminus.

Jaonli Glacier Thinning and Retreat, Uttarakhand India

On June 22, 2013June 28, 2013 By mspeltoIn Glacier Observations4 Comments

Jaonli Glacier is in the Pilang basin which feeds the Bhagirathi River in Uttarakhand. The glacier is 20 km west of the well known Gangotri Glacier and 30 km east of Jaundhar Barak. The glacier is one valley north of the well studied Dokriani Glacier. Jaonli has a heavily debris covered terminus which slows the retreat of the actual terminus, while upglacier thinning has been quite rapid. Here we examine Landsat imagery from 2000 to 2012 to illustrate the change due to increased melting. The glacier provides hydropower as it passes three Hydropower plants generating 1430 MW, including the 1000 MW Tehri Dam and reservoir, which also provides flood control, such as this past week of June 17, 2013(second image). The Tehri Reservoir level rose 25 m within 48 hours which is a storage of approximately 1.3 billion cubic meters. Jaonli Glacier is a heavily avalanche fed from the huge wall of rock on its northeastern flank, as noted by light blue arrows. In each image the yellow and orange arrows indicate the same location for comparison of the width of debris cover. The purple and red arrow indicate where two tributaries flow down to meet the Jaonli Glacier.

In 2000 the clean ice region of the main valley tongue of the Jaonli Glacier is 400 m wide at the yellow arrow and 500 m wide at the orange arrow. The eastern tributary at the red arrow joins the main valley glacier. At the purple arrow two small ponds are developing as the tributary that does not reach Jaonli melts back. By 2012 the debris free ice surface is 100 m wide at the yellow arrow and 200 m wide at the orange arrow. The debris cover spreads across the glacier as the clean ice melts faster thinning, and the debris covered area is then on an increasingly wide and high ridge above the clean ice and the debris then falls and oozes down onto the cleaner ice. The tributary at the red arrow still reaches the main glacier but is now covered by debris. The two ponds have merged at the purple arrow to create a larger terminus lake. IN Google Earth the images are from 2011. The first is a cross ice view towards the red arrow tributary, indicating the same locations and the extent of the debris cover. The second image is a closeup of the terminus, with a pink arrow indicating the 2011 terminus, note river issuing here and large ice face. However, there are two other developing termini with lakes forming 1 km upstream of the main terminus, green arrows. This stagnant ice in between will continue to melt and collapse. The glacier has retreated 160 m from 2000 to 2012, but will undergo an additional one kilometer retreat to reach the lake locations. This glacier fits well the overall retreat in the region (Kulkarni et al, 2007).Dokriani Glacier retreated at a rate of 17 m/year from 1962-2000 (Bhambri and Bolch, 2011). In the nearby Tons River Basin Mehta et al (2013) noted the 1962-2010 retreat of three glaciers Jaundhar (34 m/year), Jhajju (15 m/year) and Tilku Glacier (13 m/year).

Nioghalvfjerdsbræ (79) Glacier, Northeast Greenland

On June 18, 2013June 18, 2013 By mspeltoIn Glacier Observations6 Comments

The Northeast Ice Stream in Greenland taps deeper into the heart of the Greenland Ice Sheet than any other glacier system. The ice stream has high velocities extending 700 km into the ice sheet, much longer than even Jakobshavn, first figure. This makes it a potential weakness for the northern sector of the GIS. The ice stream has three major outlets the Storestrommen, Zachariae and Nioghalvfjerdsbræ (79 Glacier). Fahnestock et (2001) identified that the initiation of fast flow occurred within 100 km of the ice divide and is driven by a high geothermal heat flux. Here we examine changes in the 79 Glacier using MODIS and Landsat imagery of the lower reach of the glacier. Nioghalvfjerdsbræ has a 20 km wide ice shelf, and the bed remains below sea level over a distance of 150 km upstream from the grounding line, and 200 km inland of the calving front, as indicated by the third figure below from Thomas et al, (2009).

Velocity of the Greenland Ice Sheet indicating extent of NE Ice Stream, (Bailey and Pelto, 2011).

Velocity map From Joughin et al (2010)

Bedrock Profile, surface profile and thickness change on a 79 Glacier Profile (Thomas, et al, 2009).

The most extensive field study of this remote glacier was conducted by GEUS(Geologic Survey of Denmark and Greenland) from 1996-1998(Thomsen et al. 1997). Thomsen et al (1997) denotes a floating ice tongue that is 60 km long and 20 km wide until expanding at the terminus to 30 km.They identified surface velocities in the terminus tongue section of the glacier, surface mass balance, ice thickness and bottom melting. he multi-year survey of the glacier by GEUS indicated that basal melting was approximately 4-5 m per year, much larger than the surface melt of 1 m per year. There works also indicates a rather uniform velocity for the floating ice tongue across the width of the glacier. Examination of ice thickness change on 79 Glacier indicates surface lowering predominated between 1994 and 1999, at rates of about 0.1ma–1, with almost exact balance further inland. Conditions were similar between 1999 and 2007, but with thinning rates increasing to about 0.3ma–1 over the seaward 150 km, and surface lowering of parts of the ice shelf by 0.5– 1ma–1 (Thomas et al, 2009).

Thomsen et al (2007) found surface velocities of 500 to 700 m per year in the region examined here, declining toward the ice front. The ice thickness declined from 325 to 175 m in thickness over a span 25 km in this same region. This is in a zone of limited change in width and most of the change has to be from basal melting. Given velocities observed of 600 m/year this would indicate a thinning of 150 m in a span of 40 years to traverse this reach. This would be a thinning for nearly 4 m per year via basal melting, a similar magnitude to the direct borehole observations.

Seroussi et al (2011) indicate the velocity declining from 800 m/year to 600 m/year in the reach examined here.

Velocity of 79 Glacier and Zachariae Ice Stream from Jougin et al (2010).

Joughin et al (2010) observed no significant change in speed for the inland part of the Northeast Greenland Ice Stream. They further noted that for 79 Glacier there was no significant speed-up, and any change visible on its floating ice shelf can be attributed to tidal effects. Straneo et al (2012) found that the warmest (deep) AW is found near Helheim, Jakobshavn and followed by Kangerdlugssuaq and 79, with Petermann having the coldest. This suggests that basal melting can be an even more significant volume loss than on Petermann.

Here we pay particular attention to a section of the glacier that is 20-40 km from the calving front. A series of Landsat images from 2001 to 2013 track specific features as they move down glacier. The features A-D are each adjacent to specific unique features, specific meanders in two supraglacial streams. The movement of these features indicate the velocity over the 12 year period in this region, approximately 600 m/year. This agrees with the more detailed analysis of Seroussi et al (2011) , Thomas et al (2009) and Thomsen et al (1997). Further the spacing of these points has not changed indicating that the glacier in this region is moving as a single unit with relatively similar velocities. Further the persistence of the same streams and the ponds indicates The surface melting has led to development of numerous ponds and streams on the surface of the glacier. The lack of drainage of these features indicates the lack of crevassing, rifting or moulins to deliver water to the base of the glacier. The Petermann Glacier had several prominent rifts running transverse to glacier flow, that were clear weaknesses that would lead to future calving. 79 Glacier lacks such large rifts, just upstream of Point A is a prominent feature that at least at this point is not a rift. Pat Lockerby has noted these features in MODIS, but given the lack of water drainage and distinct break, these are not currently cracks.

2001 Landsat image

2004 Landsat image

2009 Landsat image

2011 Landsat image

2013 Landsat image

The second set of images indicates the change in terminus position at the northeastern terminus from 2000 to 2011, purple dots, often referred to as Spaltegletscher. The yellow arrow indicates a longitudinal rift that has developed since 2000 that is nearly connected to another rift near the margin of 79 Glacier. Espen Olsen at the Arctic Sea Ice Forum has suggested that this is what will lead to this area breaking off. The orange arrow indicates the same location marking the terminus of the glacier at its northwest corner. The last image is from June 16, 2013 this MODIS image indicates the two rifts red and yellow arrow at the start of the Spaltegletscher terminus. Followed by Landsat image from June 17, 2013 indicating the new terminus position more clearly and the same rifts. Another iceberg has peeled off since 2011, and the total ice loss since 2001 is 70-80 square kilometers. Jason Box, Ohio State had noted a loss of about 50 square kilometers from 2000 to 2010. Also apparent is an area of active calving and icebergs in front of Zachariae, check out the new icebergs in the June 17, 2013 Landsat atZachariae Ice Stream
2000 Landsat image

2010 Landsat image

2011 Landsat image

June 16, 2013 MODIS image, yellow and red arrows indicate two rifts at the start of Spaltegletscher.

June 17, 2013 Landsat Image

Qinngua Avannarleq Retreat, Southwest Greenland

On June 13, 2013 By mspeltoIn Glacier Observations1 Comment

Qinngua Avannarleq is at the head of Evighfjorden an arm of Kangerlussuatsiaq Fjord in southwest Greenland. Leclercq et al (2012) notes the glacier is 15 km long and has an area of 57 square kilometers. They further note that the glacier retreated 0.5 km from 1850-1960. Here we examine Landsat imagery from 1996, 2000, 2009, 20011 and 2012. In each image the yellow arrow points to a tributary from the northeast that met the glacier at the terminus in 1996, the red arrow indicates the 2012 terminus location and Points A-D identify locations where bedrock exposure is expanding with glacier thinning. In 1996 and 2000 the terminus was 1.8 km wide and merged with a tributary from the north right at the terminus. In 1996 and 2000 Point C and D are uninterrupted glacier cover. At Point A and B there are narrow glacier tongues passing between rock exposures. By 2011 and 2012 the terminus has retreated 1.3 km from the 1996 position. At Point A the tributary that separated the rock outcrops has now disappeared leaving uninterrupted rock. At Point B the bedrock area has expanded and the narrow tributary no longer connects to the main glacier. At Point C a ridge of bedrock has extended 1 km further into the ice cap. At Point D a new bedrock knob has emerged amidst the main glacier. The retreat of over 1 km since 1996 is a greater retreat than had occurred from 1850-1990 (Leclerq et al (2012). The retreat of this glacier is similar to that of Narssap Sermia Glacier and Qaleriq Glacier. A nunatak 12 km inland also indicates thinning with a stranded section of ice, red arrows. This area also features very dirty ice, black arrows, that increases the albedo, which bring to mind the Dark Snow Project.
1996 Landsat Image

2000 Landsat Image

2009 Landsat Image

2011 Landsat image

2012 Landsat image

Canada Glacier Retreat Post Index

On June 12, 2013 By mspeltoIn Glacier Observations1 Comment

Canada Glacier Index
Canada has more than 20,000 glaciers spread across its arctic islands and in the mountains of the western provinces. Below is a list of 32 glaciers in Canada that are all retreating and chronicled glacier by glacier. I have had the pleasure of working on 10 Canadian glaciers.

Great Glacier, National Railroad Archive 1914 image.

Neve Glacier Retreat, North Cascades, Washington

On June 10, 2013June 10, 2013 By mspeltoIn Glacier Observations

I have had the opportunity to visit the Neve Glacier on eight occasions, it is not easy to get to. In the North Cascades it is one of a handful of glaciers with a large higher elevation accumulation zone, that is not on a volcano. The glacier feeds Diablo Lake, part of the Skagit River hydropower system. The terminus of the glacier in 1975 was in basin that receives considerable avalanche deposition slowing the retreat. In this post we focus on the thinning of the glacier leading to expansion of bedrock exposures at four locations above the former terminus, that by 2011 had led to this low lying basin being dynamically cutoff from the upper glacier. In each image the red letters A-D are located in the same spot, and the purple arrow on the Google Earth images indicates the terminus position. The first image is an aerial view of the glacier from Austin Post, USGS from 1975: at point A there is a quite small exposure of bedrock, at Point B and C there is a good connection of feeder glaciers from the higher slopes to the main valley glacier. At Point D there is continuous glacier cover. This was the case during my first two visits to the glacier in 1985 and 1988, second image. The third image is from 1990 and reflects limted change from 1975 as well, the blue arrows indicate glacier flow.

. By 1996 notable thinning of the glacier was apparent adjacent to Point A, in 2001 and 2002 the thin nature of the ice around the bedrock at Point A is evident.

. The accumulation zone of the glacier around Point B and D in 2001 indicates no bedrock exposure at D and a connection of the upper glacier at Point B; however at Point D in 2009 the large new bedrock areas that have resulted from thinning has occurred.

A comparison of the Google Earth imagery from 1990, 2006 and 2009 indicate the expanding bedrock at each Point. A closeup of Point A from 2009 has the bedrock delineated with red dots indicating that the left arm of the glacier that formerly encircled Point A, now ends above Point A and that the right hand arm is only 35 m wide and despite the steep slope has no crevassing and is stagnant. At Point B the upper glacier no longer reaches the main trunk. At Point C the connection to the main glacier has decreased by 50% in its width from 140 m to 70 m, and at Point D several large bedrock areas have emerged.

In 2013 or 2014 the upper glacier will likely separate from the former terminus region below the Point A bedrock region. The thinning of this glacier is typical of North Cascade glaciers (Pelto, 2007), though the retreat has been unusually small (Pelto, 2010).

Excelsior Glacier Retreat, Alaska

On June 6, 2013June 6, 2013 By mspeltoIn Glacier Observations3 Comments

Excelsior Glacier in Alaska has terminated in a lake for the last century. Here we examine the retreat of this glacier from 1984 to 2011 using Landsat imagery. This glacier is seen as a model for the impending retreat of Brady Glacier examined in a paper we just published (Pelto et al, 2013). In 1909 the glacier ended on the strip of forested land between the lake and the ocean (Molnia, 2007). By 1950 the glacier had retreated 2 km from this strip of land creating the new lake (USGS-Molnia, 2008) In 1909 the glacier had ended on land at the south end of the lake, indicating a retreat of 4.5-5.0 km in approximately a 75 year period. In 1984 (first image below) Excelsior Glacier ended at the pink arrow and the lake extending beyond the terminus was 4.7 km long, the yellow arrow indicates the 2011 position and just south (under) the arrow is a glacier dammed lake. The lake width has changed little and is 1.4-1.8 km wide in the region the terminus has been retreating through during the last 30 years. By 1989 the glacier had retreated 500 m and the lake was filled with numerous icebergs. By 2001 the glacier had retreated 1500-1700 m from the 1984 position, a rate of 100 meters per year, and the glacier dammed lake south of the yellow arrow is still apparent, as are a couple of large icebergs. The 2003 Google Earth image indicates further retreat and again a couple of large icebergs and a large crack near the center of the terminus indicating a new iceberg getting ready to separate. By 2011 the glacier had retreated past the formerly glacier dammed lake and ended at the prominent ridge just north of this former lake and the new inlet that replaces it. The glacier has retreated 3400-3700 m depending where on the front the measurement is made. This is a rate of over 100 meters per year since 1984.
Another big change is the thinning and narrowing of the tributary entering on the east side of the glacier north of the terminus. This is illustrated in the last image with a combined 1989 image left and 2011 rigth and the red arrows pointing out three significant points of thinning and new rock-moraine exposure. This glacier has behaved in a similar fashion to so many Alaskan glacier from the nearby Bear Glacier, to British Columbia’s Melbern Glacieror Porcupine Glacier and southeast Alaska’s Chickamin and Norris Glaciers of southeast Alaska

1984 Landsat Image

1989 Landsat image

2001 Landsat image

2003 Google Earth image

2011 Landsat Image

1989-2011 Landsat image

Zayul Chu Headwaters Glacier Retreat, Tibet, China

On June 3, 2013 By mspeltoIn Glacier Observations1 Comment

The headwaters of the Zayul Chu River is a series of glaciers. This river becomes the Lohit River as it enters India. The impact of glaciers is visible just from the color of the water, the greenish tone being generated from glacier flour. The Lohit River is also the focus on a hydropower development plan that proposes six dams that would generate 7450 MW.

Glaciers at the Headwater of Zayul Chu noted by red, yellow and purple arrows.

Map of proposed Hydropower Project for Lohit River, yellow arrows indicate dams.

Table of hydropower characteristics for six proposed sites on Lohit River.

Lohit River, color indicates glacier contribution

Here we examine three glaciers that have seen lake expansion at the terminus in the last 25 years using satellite imagery from 1987, 1996, 2009 and 2011. In 1987 there was no lake at the end of the glacier ending at the purple arrow. In 1987 the glacier ending at the red arrow, ended in a narrow lake. At the yellow arrow the glacier ended in a small round lake in 1987. By 1996 the glacier at the red arrow has retreated leading to a lake that is 100 m longer than a decade before. The glacier at the yellow arrow has pulled from the lake it had ended in. In 2009 a small lake has formed at the end of the glacier with the purple arrow, a distance of 200 m. The glacier at the red arrow has retreated from the lake it had formerly ended in, a distance of 400 m. The glacier at the yellow arrow has retreated 200 m from the lake it had ended in. Each of these glaciers ends between 4200 and 4600 m and begins above 5300 m. The glaciers retain snowpack on the upper reaches each summer and will continue to retreat but can survive current climate. The retreat of the Zayul Chu headwaters glaciers parallels those of the Bode Zangbo Headwaters a short distance to the north and the Hkakabo Razi Glaciers a short distance south.

1987 Landsat image