Impact assessment of climate change on Gulmit and Ghulkin glaciers, Pakistan, using remote sensing and GIS tools (P-0777) (MFN 3976)

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.