Watson, CS, Quincey, DJ, Carrivick, JL et al. (1 more author) (2016) The dynamics of supraglacial water storage in the Everest region, central Himalaya. Global and Planetary Change, 142. pp. 14-27. ISSN 0921-8181
Abstract
The dynamics of supraglacial pond development in the Everest region are not well constrained at a glacier scale, despite their known importance for meltwater storage, promoting ablation, and transmitting thermal energy englacially during drainage events. Here, we use fine-resolution (~ 0.5–2 m) satellite imagery to reveal the spatiotemporal dynamics of 9340 supraglacial ponds across nine glaciers in the Everest region. Six of our nine study glaciers displayed a net increase in ponded area over their observation periods. However, large inter- and intra-annual changes in ponded area were observed of up to 17% (Khumbu Glacier), and 52% (Ama Dablam) respectively. Additionally, two of the fastest expanding lakes (Spillway and Rongbuk) partially drained over our study period. The Khumbu Glacier is developing a chain of connected ponds in the lower ablation area, which is indicative of a trajectory towards large lake development. We show that use of medium-resolution imagery (e.g. 30 m Landsat) is likely to lead to large classification omissions of supraglacial ponds, on the order of 15–88% of ponded area, and 77–99% of the total number of ponds. Fine-resolution imagery is therefore required if the full spectrum of ponds that exist on the surface of debris-covered glaciers are to be analysed.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2016, Elsevier. This is an author produced version of a paper published in Global and Planetary Change. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > School of Geography (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 29 Apr 2016 08:44 |
Last Modified: | 18 Jul 2017 17:56 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gloplacha.2016.04.008 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Elsevier |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.gloplacha.2016.04.008 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:99096 |