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Arid Land Geography ›› 2024, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (8): 1277-1291.doi: 10.12118/j.issn.1000-6060.2024.112

• The Third Xinjiang Scientific Expedition • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Glaciers in Saur Mountains: Current situation and evolutionary process

MU Jianxin1(), LI Zhongqin1(), WANG Puyu1, LIANG Pengbin2,3, WANG Yanqiang4, BAI Changbin5, WANG Fanglong1   

  1. 1. Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science and Frozen Soil Engineering/Altai Observation and Research Station of Cryospheric Science and Sustainable Development, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, China
    2. Faculty of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Qinghai Institute of Technology, Xining 810000, Qinghai, China
    3. Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Plateau Climate Change and Corresponding Ecological and Environmental Effects, Xining 810000, Qinghai, China
    4. College of Resources and Environment, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, Shanxi, China
    5. Nanning Normal University, Nanning 530001, Guangxi, China
  • Received:2024-02-23 Revised:2024-05-23 Online:2024-08-25 Published:2024-09-02
  • Contact: LI Zhongqin E-mail:mujianxin@lzb.ac.cn;lizq@lzb.ac.cn

Abstract:

The Saur Mountains, one of the 14 mountain ranges with glaciers in western China, span across China and Kazakhstan. Although the glaciers are relatively small, scientific research is challenged by the division between two political entities. The water resources from the Saur Mountains’ glaciers are crucial for the development of Jeminay County, Xinjiang, China. This study integrates aerial topographic maps, Landsat and Sentinel satellite remote sensing images, existing glacier inventories, Google Earth high-resolution historical images, and other data. Remote sensing observations were verified on-site, and a detailed study on the current status and historical evolution of the Saur Mountains’ glaciers over the past 30 years was conducted. The results indicate that: (1) As of 2022, there are 31 glaciers in the Saur Mountains, covering a total area of 11.47 km2. The Muz Taw glacier, the largest in the range, is located in Jeminay County with an area of 2.95 km2. The remaining 90% of glaciers are each less than 1 km2, but collectively account for 54.55% of the total glacier area. The latitude height and lower altitude limit of glacier distribution in the Saur Mountains are second only to those in the Altay Mountains, making the Saur Mountains a typical high-latitude, low-altitude glacier distribution region in China. (2) Over the past 30 years, the glaciers in the Saur Mountains have experienced increased splitting, area shrinkage, and terminal retreat. The number of glaciers increased from 12 to 31, while the total glacier area decreased by 8.11 km2, a retreat rate of 41.42%. During the same period, the length of each glacier retreated by 373 m, with an average annual retreat of 11.30 m. Rising temperatures, reduced glacier albedo, and increased glacier fragmentation are the primary reasons for this retreat. (3) Compared to the other 13 mountain ranges in western China, the Saur Mountains have experienced the largest relative retreat in glacier area over the past half-century. With global warming, the glaciers in the Saur Mountains are likely to completely melt, significantly impacting the sustainable development of Jeminay County, which is already dry and water-poor. Early planning is essential to address the impending water resource crisis in Jeminay County.

Key words: current status of glaciers, evolutionary process, glacier changes, Saur Mountains