CHANGES IN EQUILIBRIUM LINE ALTITUDE OF GLACIER SYSTEMS IN NORTHEASTERN SIBERIA FOR THE LATE 20TH–EARLY 21ST CENTURIES
M.D. Ananicheva
Institute of Geography, RAS, 29, Staromonetny per., Moscow, 119017, Russia; maria_anan@rambler.ru
Changes in the equilibrium line altitude (ELA) of glacier systems have been studied in the Suntar-Khayata, Chersky and Orulgan mountains, as well as over the whole territory of Northeastern Siberia, for three periods of time: 1930–1960, 1961–1990 and 1991–2012. Northeastern Siberia has undergone warming in the 21st century which became more rapid than in the previous fifty years. Records at most weather stations show increasing trends in mean annual and summer air temperatures and in total atmospheric precipitation but a decreasing trend in solid precipitation. The climate change leads to a rise of glacier ELA almost all over Northeastern Siberia and to an increase in ablation which is in balance with accumulation at this altitude. The ELA rise was from 100 to 450 mm, 200 ± 50 m on average, while the ablation (accumulation) increase was 50 to 250 mm in different periods. The glacier parameters inferred from climatic data are background values, which provide a general idea of current and potential changes in glacier systems in this poorly studied region.
Glacier, glacier system, equilibrium line altitude, climate, trend, cryosphere, Northeastern Siberia