ETD RECORD
Application of remote sensing and GIS in glacier monitoring :glacier variability in Central Asia (Tien Shan and Altai) during the last 30-60 years
Citation
Surazakov, Arzhan.. (2008). Application of remote sensing and GIS in glacier monitoring :glacier variability in Central Asia (Tien Shan and Altai) during the last 30-60 years. Theses and Dissertations Collection, University of Idaho Library Digital Collections. https://www.lib.uidaho.edu/digital/etd/items/etd_211.html
- Title:
- Application of remote sensing and GIS in glacier monitoring :glacier variability in Central Asia (Tien Shan and Altai) during the last 30-60 years
- Author:
- Surazakov, Arzhan.
- Date:
- 2008
- Keywords:
- Glaciers--Asia Central--Remote sensing Glaciers--Tien Shan--Remote sensing Glaciers--Altai Mountains--Remote sensing
- Program:
- Geography
- Abstract:
- This study aims to estimate glacier changes in the two mountain systems of Central Asia - Tien Shan and Altai, during the last 30-60 years as a consequence of regional climatic changes using remote sensing and GIS methods. To this goal two methodological studies were undertaken demonstrating the potential of Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data and declassified KH-9 Hexagon images for estimation of glacier changes. Glacier area and volume changes were estimated in three pilot basins in Tien Shan and Altai: Akshiirak, Ala-Archa and Aktru using data from historical geodetic surveys, topographic maps, aerial photography, declassified KH-9 Hexagon photographs, ASTER and ALOS/PRISM satellite images, SRTM and IceSAT elevation data and DGPS in situ measurements.;Using SRTM data and a DEM from 1:25,000 topographic map glacier surface changes can be estimated with error about 8.2 m. In spite of SRTM error and the occasional absence of data on steep slopes, major long-term changes on relatively flat ablation and accumulation areas are clearly identifiable. Furthermore, the presence of local areas of rebound on glacier surfaces allowed decoupling of dynamic and climatic components of glacier changes that are not available solely from planimetric data.;880-01From 1952 to 2006 the Aktru basin glaciers lost 7.2% of their area. During the last three decades, the rate of area loss accelerated by a factor of 1.8 (from 0.9% to 1.6% per decade). The changes were caused mainly by the increase of summer air temperature by 1.03{deg}C at elevations below 2500 m and 0.83{deg}C at elevations over 2500 m from 1951 to 2000.;The glaciers in Ala-Archa and Tien Shan retreated up to 3 km between the 1860s and 2003, the surface of their ablation areas lowered more than 130 m. The area of the Ala Archa glaciers shrunk by 15.8% over the last 40 yr. The Akshiirak glacierized massif lost about 10 km 3 of glacier ice and 12.5% of glacier area between 1943 and 2000. From 1977 to 2003 the rate of volume loss of the Akshiirak glaciers accelerated by a factor of 2.7. Continuous growth of spring and autumn air temperatures in northern Tien Shan and increase of summer air temperature in Central Tien Shan since the middle of 1970's without increase of precipitation may further accelerate glacier recession and intensify desertification processes in the Central Asia and northwestern China.
- Description:
- Thesis (Ph. D., Geography)--University of Idaho, August 2008.
- Major Professor:
- Aladimir B. Aizen.
- Defense Date:
- August 2008.
- Type:
- Text
- Format Original:
- xiv, 126 leaves :col. ill., col. maps ;29 cm.
- Format:
- record
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