Temporal fluctuations and frontal area change of Bangni and Dunagiri glaciers from 1962 to 2013, Dhauliganga Basin, central Himalaya, India

摘要: Abstract Glaciers have been receding for the last 100 years in many glaciated regions of world, and rate recession has accelerated during 60 years. Recent assessments changes glaciers Himalaya usually recognized their variable recession. The present study deals with snout retreat, frontal area vacation, estimation equilibrium line altitude (ELA) Bangni Dunagiri glaciers, Dhauliganga Basin, central (India), using multi-image satellite data (Landsat MSS, 1976; Landsat TM, 1990; ETM +, 2005) Survey India topographic maps (1962; 1:50,000) along field surveys (2012 to 2014) period 1962–2013. meteorological Meteorological Department (IMD) TRMM suggested that received less precipitation between 1960 1990. Because precipitation, receded rapidly this period. shows retreated ~ 2080 ± 162 m ~ 484 ± 38 m average rates ~ 41 ± 3.2 m a− 1 ~ 9 ± 0.6 m a− 1 1962 2013, respectively. During lost about 17% 11% length, result also Glacier vacated ~ 598,948 ± 12,257 m2 area, while ~ 170,428 ± 7833 m2 2013. Moreover, estimated ELA change was ~ 64 ± 30 m upward Geological (GSI, 1998a,b) rose ~ 28 m 1984 1992 glacier ~(−)16 × 106 m3 w.e. ice an loss ~(−)1.04 m w.e. a− 1. geomorphology Valley reflected were joined together past. Nevertheless, these two retreat at different rates, indicating climate is not only factor but geometry (size, shape, slope, orientation) basin topography plays a major role.