Abstract:
"Glaciers, particularly mountain glaciers are sensitive to global climate change
because of their surface temperature which is near to melting/freezing point. Thus,
studies about monitoring glaciers are increasing in recent years. It can be seen in
glacier studies, remote sensing has been used by many researchers in parallel with the
development in satellite technology. This study reveals the impact of climate change
on the glacier change of Ghulkin and Gulmit. The change in glacier area has been
studied using Landsat images. MSS false colour composite images and TM4/TM5
band combination has been used for delineating glaciers, and applied the change
detection techniques to determine the change on glacial area. Also, these results have
been compared with meteorological like temperature and precipitation. As a result, it
can be said that there is a recession in Ghulkin and Gulmit glaciers due to global
climate change.
Higher temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns have induced an
acute decrease in Ghulkin and Gulmit glaciers, thus leading to additional stress on
water supply. During the 8 year span the study on the Ghulkin and Gulmit glaciers
shows that both the glaciers are decreasing. The reason of decreasing is the rapid
increase in temperature and precipitation.
Glacier area for Ghulkin reduced to 2.51 sq. km means 14.6 % over a period
of 8 years and glacier area for Gulmit reduced to 4.20 sq. km means 16.6 % over a
period of 8 years. Higher temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns have
induced an acute decrease in Ghulkin and Gulmit glaciers, thus leading to additional
stress on water supply. During the 8 year span the study on the Ghulkin and Gulmit
glaciers shows that both the glaciers are decreasing. The reason of decreasing is the
rapid increase in temperature and precipitation.
