Morphology and glacier dynamics studies in monsoon–arid transition zone: An example from Chhota Shigri glacier, Himachal-Himalaya, India

Investigations on the morphology and glacier dynamics of Chhota Shigri glacier in a monsoon–arid transition zone during 1987–1989 are reported. The glacier dynamics and gravimetric techniques indicate that the thickness of the glacier ranges from 15 to 130 m, with a total ice volume of about 636,579...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current science (Bangalore) 1995-05, Vol.68 (9), p.936-944
Main Authors: Dobhal, D. P., Kumar, Surendar, Mundepi, A. K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cirque glaciers
Crevasses
Glacial ablation
Glacial accumulation
Glacial landforms
Glacier mass balance
Glaciers
Mass balance
Moraines
Snow
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Summary:Investigations on the morphology and glacier dynamics of Chhota Shigri glacier in a monsoon–arid transition zone during 1987–1989 are reported. The glacier dynamics and gravimetric techniques indicate that the thickness of the glacier ranges from 15 to 130 m, with a total ice volume of about 636,579 × 103 m3. The flow movements at different places on the glacier have been calculated; the maximum flow movement (12.6–14.2 cm day-1) is obtained near the equilibrium line. This rate of movement decreases to 8.8 cm day-1 downstream in the ablation zone. The mass balance data measured during 1987/88 and 1988/89 show negative values, indicating that the glacier is receding with an average of 7.5 m yr-1. The per day discharge of melt water i 41.5 × 106 m3 day-1, whereas silt load passing in a day varies between 85 and 2000 tons.
ISSN:0011-3891