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Advances in Earth Science >

2024 , Vol. 39 >Issue 7: 726 - 736

DOI: https://doi.org/10.11867/j.issn.1001-8166.2024.050

Ice Thickness Simulation and Storage Estimation of the Extreme Glaciers on the Qiangtang Plateau

  • Pengbin LIANG ,
  • Jianxin MU ,
  • Yongpeng GAO ,
  • Lide TIAN ,
  • Lintao LI
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  • 1.Faculty of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Qinghai Institute of Technology, Xining 810000, China
    2.Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Plateau Climate Change and Corresponding Ecological and Environmental Effects, Xining 810000, China
    3.Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science and Frozen Soil Engineering, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
    4.Faculty of Geography, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, China
    5.Institute of International Rivers and Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
LIANG Pengbin, Lecturer, research area includes cryospheric dynamics and climate effects. E-mail: pbliang@qhnu.edu.cn
GAO Yongpeng, Lecturer, research area includes cryospheric remote sensing. E-mail: gyp1991@ynnu.edu.cn

Received date: 2024-05-16

  Revised date: 2024-06-19

  Online published: 2024-07-29

Supported by

the Top-notch Talent of the Qinghai Province ‘Kunlun Talent’ High-end Innovation and Entrepreneurship Talent’ Program(2023-QLGKLYCZX-001);The Researcher Development Program of Qinghai Institute of Technology(2023011wys007)

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Abstract

Ice thickness and storage are prerequisites for glaciological studies that predict future glacier changes, estimate available freshwater resources, and assess potential sea level rise. Based on Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) thickness data from 31 glaciers in western China, the parameters of the GlabTop2 (Glacier Bed Topography) model were calibrated and optimized. The simulation of ice thickness on the Qiangtang Plateau and the assessment of the total amount of glacier water resources revealed the following results: ① The average ice thickness simulated by the GlabTop2 model closely matched the measured average thickness, with a correlation of 0.87 and root-mean-square error of 18.2 m. Overestimation and underestimation of ice thickness by the model were 9% and -17% respectively. The ice thickness distribution along flow was better captured than the distribution across flow; ② The GlabTop2 model estimated that the ice storage of glaciers on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau in 2022 was (177.6±26.6) km3, with an average ice thickness of (88.2±12.3) m. The glacier volume was mainly distributed between 5 600 and 6 200 m, amounting to (148.28±22.24) km3, which accounted for 84.4% of the total glacier volume of the Qiangtang Plateau. The glacial volumes in the other elevational bands were relatively small.

Key words： Qiangtang Plateau; Glacier storage; Ground penetrating radar; GlabTop2 model

Cite this article

Pengbin LIANG , Jianxin MU , Yongpeng GAO , Lide TIAN , Lintao LI . Ice Thickness Simulation and Storage Estimation of the Extreme Glaciers on the Qiangtang Plateau[J]. Advances in Earth Science, 2024 , 39(7) : 726 -736 . DOI: 10.11867/j.issn.1001-8166.2024.050

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