The movement features analysis of Laohugou Glacier No.12 in Qilian Mountains
Updatetime:2012-05-18From:
【Enlarge】【Reduce】
The Laohugou Glacier No. 12 is the largest valley glacier in Qilian Mountains, which is located in northern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.Movement is the basic characteristic of glaciers, and is also an important distinction from other terrestrial natural ice. Glacier changes not only reflect climate change, but also play an important role in humanity society. In the arid regions of western China,glaciers are becoming an important water source. The researchers use the GPS receiver (South-Lingrui S82) as data platform with the aid of RTK measurement technology to observe the surface velocity of Laohugou Glacier No. 12. Surface velocity data shows that the maximum value appears at an altitude of 4,750–4,850 m during the period of 2008–2009. During this period, the west branch surface velocity reached 32.6 m per year at an altitude near 4,830 m, the east branch surface velocity reached 32.4 m per year at the altitude near 4,770 m. Comparing the surface velocity data during 2008–2009 with observation results in 1959, the glacier velocity slowed down about 11%.
Appendix