MODIS-derived interannual variability of the equilibrium-line altitude across the Tibetan Plateau
Using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Level 1 radiance Swath Data (MOD02QKM) with a spatial resolution of 250 m, we derive snowlines during July–September 2001–12 for several mountain ranges distributed across the Tibetan Plateau (TP). Radiance bands 1 and 2 are projected t...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2016-03-01
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| Series: | Annals of Glaciology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0260305500000161/type/journal_article |
| _version_ | 1811157271397269504 |
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| author | Marinka Spiess Christoph Schneider Fabien Maussion |
| author_facet | Marinka Spiess Christoph Schneider Fabien Maussion |
| author_sort | Marinka Spiess |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Level 1 radiance Swath Data (MOD02QKM) with a spatial resolution of 250 m, we derive snowlines during July–September 2001–12 for several mountain ranges distributed across the Tibetan Plateau (TP). Radiance bands 1 and 2 are projected to the study area and processed automatically. The discrimination between snow and ice is done using a k-mean cluster analysis and the snowlines are delineated based on a fixed percentile of the snow-cover altitude. The highest transient snowline altitude is then taken as a proxy for the equilibrium-line altitude (ELA). In the absence of measured glaciological, meteorological or hydrological data, our ELA time series enable better understanding of atmosphere-cryosphere couplings on the TP. Interannual ELA variability is linked to local and remote climate indices using a correlation analysis. Southerly flow and higher temperatures are linked with a higher ELA in most regions. Eastern and Trans-Himalayan sites show positive correlations between winter temperatures and ELA. As winter temperatures are substantially below zero, this suggests an enhancement of winter sublimation as opposed to a reduction in accumulation. It appears that large-scale atmospheric forcing has varying and sometimes opposite influences on the annual ELA in different regions on the TP. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T05:04:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-201e6c540b3e4976a4e5d0b54f96b2bd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0260-3055 1727-5644 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T05:04:28Z |
| publishDate | 2016-03-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Annals of Glaciology |
| spelling | doaj.art-201e6c540b3e4976a4e5d0b54f96b2bd2023-03-09T12:27:31ZengCambridge University PressAnnals of Glaciology0260-30551727-56442016-03-015714015410.3189/2016AoG71A014MODIS-derived interannual variability of the equilibrium-line altitude across the Tibetan PlateauMarinka Spiess0Christoph Schneider1Fabien Maussion2Department of Geography, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, GermanyDepartment of Geography, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germanylnstitute of Meteorology and Geophysics, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, AustriaUsing the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Level 1 radiance Swath Data (MOD02QKM) with a spatial resolution of 250 m, we derive snowlines during July–September 2001–12 for several mountain ranges distributed across the Tibetan Plateau (TP). Radiance bands 1 and 2 are projected to the study area and processed automatically. The discrimination between snow and ice is done using a k-mean cluster analysis and the snowlines are delineated based on a fixed percentile of the snow-cover altitude. The highest transient snowline altitude is then taken as a proxy for the equilibrium-line altitude (ELA). In the absence of measured glaciological, meteorological or hydrological data, our ELA time series enable better understanding of atmosphere-cryosphere couplings on the TP. Interannual ELA variability is linked to local and remote climate indices using a correlation analysis. Southerly flow and higher temperatures are linked with a higher ELA in most regions. Eastern and Trans-Himalayan sites show positive correlations between winter temperatures and ELA. As winter temperatures are substantially below zero, this suggests an enhancement of winter sublimation as opposed to a reduction in accumulation. It appears that large-scale atmospheric forcing has varying and sometimes opposite influences on the annual ELA in different regions on the TP.https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0260305500000161/type/journal_articleatmosphere/ice/ocean interactionsglacier fluctuationsglacier mass balanceremote sensingsnow/ice surface processes |
| spellingShingle | Marinka Spiess Christoph Schneider Fabien Maussion MODIS-derived interannual variability of the equilibrium-line altitude across the Tibetan Plateau Annals of Glaciology atmosphere/ice/ocean interactions glacier fluctuations glacier mass balance remote sensing snow/ice surface processes |
| title | MODIS-derived interannual variability of the equilibrium-line altitude across the Tibetan Plateau |
| title_full | MODIS-derived interannual variability of the equilibrium-line altitude across the Tibetan Plateau |
| title_fullStr | MODIS-derived interannual variability of the equilibrium-line altitude across the Tibetan Plateau |
| title_full_unstemmed | MODIS-derived interannual variability of the equilibrium-line altitude across the Tibetan Plateau |
| title_short | MODIS-derived interannual variability of the equilibrium-line altitude across the Tibetan Plateau |
| title_sort | modis derived interannual variability of the equilibrium line altitude across the tibetan plateau |
| topic | atmosphere/ice/ocean interactions glacier fluctuations glacier mass balance remote sensing snow/ice surface processes |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0260305500000161/type/journal_article |
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