Evaluating geological and geomorphological control on glacier changes in Higher Himalayan Range, Jammu and Kashmir, India

1. Climate Change in Himalayan Region
Title: Evaluating geological and geomorphological control on glacier changes in Higher
Himalayan Range, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Abstract: The Himalayas posses one of the largest resources of snow and ice, which act as a
huge freshwater reservoir. Monitoring the glaciers is important to assess the overall reservoir
health. To account for the variable response of the Himalayan glaciers towards climatic
warming during the past, an attempt has been made to investigate the control of relief, slope and
geology on glacier area change and glacier snout fluctuation in part of the higher Himalayan
range, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Satellite images of 1975 and 2001 were used for mapping 34
major glaciers where a large number of glaciers in the area exhibited a minor glacier area change
and snout retreat indicating a slow response to the climatic fluctuations during 1975 to 2001.
Loss in area was less in the glaciers located at higher altitudes (above 5200 metres) whereas
°
higher sloping (greater than 16 ) glaciers were more vulnerable to glacier area change.
Underlying rock type had no direct control on glacier s were more vulnerable to glacier area
change. Underlying rock type had no direct control on glacier snout retreat and area loss solely
because glaciers possessing same lithological formations behave in a contrasting way both in
terms of retreat and area loss. Glaciers having a very low retreat rate possess lesser percentage of
area (less than 40%) in low altitudes (below 5200 meters).
KEYWORDS: Geology, Slope, Glacier, Himalayas, Retreat
Introduction: Over the past three million years, the earth’s surface has experienced repeated
large period of glaciations, separated by short warm interglacial periods. During the peak of
glaciation approximately 47 million sq. km area was covered by glaciers, three times more than
the present ice cover over the earth. A number of ideas were proposed to explain repeated cycle
of glaciations on earth. One of the explanations is related to natural variation in the earth’s orbit
around the sun. presently the Himalaya has 32392 glaciers covering an area of 71182.08 sq km.
the main show gathering ground is located in the Higher Himalayas ranges where topographic
and climatic conditions are favorable for the formation of glaciers. Himalayan glaciers are more
sensitive to climate change than other mountain glaciers in the world as they are situated in the
Tropical climate belt and thereby receiving more heat than by the Arctic and temperature
climatic mountain belts. A large percentage of glaciers in the Himalayas have shown retreat with
an annual rate of retreat varying from 16 to 35m. Over the past few decades glaciers in the
Central Himalayas have shown a regular pace of retreat. However the retreat rate of the glaciers
on the southern slope of the Central Himalayas has accelerated recently. In the study of
morphometric characteristics of glaciers in the Doda Valley, Zanskar basin observed a
decreasing trend of Accumulation area ratio along with a negative mass balance in 2001 as
compared to 1975 and 1992 indicating the possibility of a faster retreat of glaciers. Glacier
changes attempted on 13 selected glaciers in parts of Zanskar valley, Jammu and Kashmir using

2. SOI topographical maps (1962) and satellite images (2001) of IRS-LISS-III indicated an 18.16%
glacier area loss during this period with retreat rate varying from 6-33 m/yr. according to data it
is found that the temperature stopped rising in 2001. Changes in the glacier area are not affected
not only by climatic fluctuations but also by factors such as glacier dynamics and glacier
dimensions. Glacier retreat may also depend on non-climatic factors such as ice dynamics,
glacier hypsometry and topography. During an expedition to the Dokriani glacier, Garhwal
Himalaya, remarked that geomorphological characteristics of a glacierized catchment influence
the melting the melting of the glacier.
In this study an attempt has been made to investigate the changing behavior of 34
glaciers with reference to their retreat/advancement and area shrinking/growth in the Higher
Himalayan range. The study also focused to find out the hypsometry, slope and geology on
glacier area change and snout fluctuation. Geological control in terms of lithological variations
within each glacier was analysed to examine their influence on changes over the glaciers,
Study Area: The study area falls in part of Higher Himalayan Range, Ladakh, Jammu and
Kashmir covering about 5000 km² area. The area extends between 32° 59´ to
33° 55´ N latitude and 76° 15´ to 77° 15´ E longitude with elevation ranging from 3070-6400
meters above sea level (asl). Glaciers of different dimensions are present on both the northern
and the southern aspects in the study area. The area is drained by river Zanskar, Doda and their
tributaries.

3. Methodology: Glacier extent delineated using Remote Sensing Satellite. This is followed by
digitalization of glacier extentsusing ArcGIS 8.3 software. The digital elevation model generated
using ASTER data and the contour map of the study was generated at 200m interval which is
used for glacier hypsometry computation. Analysis of slope and lithology within the glacier
boundry carried out using the ASTER data and the geological map of Jammu and Kashmir
respectively. Glacial boundary is delinated using topographic maps and digitized using
Geographic Information System. On satellite images glacial boundary is mapped using standard
combinations of bands. Images enhancement technique is used to enhance the difference
between glacial and non-glacial areas. For snout collection Global Positioning System(GPS) is
required. A specific relationship between glacier area and depth will be calculate by the formula
H= -11.32+53.21F·³
Where H is the mean glacier depth (m) and F is the glacier area (sq. km).
Objective:
1. To determine the melting of glacier at different height.
2. To study and focus to find out the hypsometry, slope and geology on glacier area change
and snout fluctuation.
3. To locate the different area parameter with the help of GPS.
4. To study specific relationship between glacier area and depth.
5. Determination of Glacier area change and snout fluctuation, control of altitude, control of
Lithology, control of slope
Tentative time table for work: -
This upcoming work will take 6 to 8 months for its completion.
Data treatment:
For the treatment of data the MS-Excel and other relevant software will be used.
Expected Results and Their Scientific Interpretation:-
I expect that the proposed study will address the level of glacier melting and their effect on water
resources. This study will also improve the prediction of the impact of glacier retreat in the
higher Himalayan region snout fluctuation, considering the role of changes in rainfall pattern,
average temperature rise etc. The specific objective of this project is to explore the relationship

4. between water of glacier and average temperature rise in ambient environment including the
changes in rainfall pattern system.
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