Investigation of state and fluctuation mechanisms of glaciers in high mountain Asia

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26257202
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 海外学術
• Research Field: Environmental dynamic analysis
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: Fujita Koji 名古屋大学, 環境学研究科, 准教授 (80303593)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 福井 幸太郎 公益財団法人立山カルデラ砂防博物館, 学芸課, 学芸員 (10450165) ; 杉山 慎 北海道大学, 低温科学研究所, 教授 (20421951)
• Research Collaborator: SAKAI Akiko 名古屋大学, 大学院環境学研究科, 研究員 (40437075) ; Kayastha Ri jan B. Kathmandu University, Associate Professor
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 氷河 / ヒマラヤ / 水資源 / リモートセンシング

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To better understand fluctuations and their mechanisms of large glaciers in high mountain Asia, we conducted in-situ observations in the Nepal and Bhutan Himalayas with analyses of remotely sensed satellite data and of numerical modelling. We developed a numerical model for debris-covered glaciers, in which distribution of debris thermal resistance was estimated with remotely sensed data as a proxy of debris thickness, and then ice melting was calculated by considering heat balance. By analyzing high resolution remotely sensed satellite data, we revealed mass changes in a couple of Himalayan glaciers. In addition, we compiled glacier inventory covering high mountain Asia, and then revealed areal changes in glaciers in the eastern Himalayas. We also revealed that debris-cover extent was highly correlated with upper glacier-free slope facing southwest at which diurnal freeze-thaw cycle could produce and supply debris material on glacier.

Free Research Field

氷河学