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干旱区地理 ›› 2018, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (6): 1204-1213.doi: 10.12118/j.issn.1000-6060.2018.06.08

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Methods and future trend of ice volume calculation of glacier

GAO Yong-peng1, YAO Xiao-jun1, LIU Shi-yin2,3, QI Miao-miao1, GONG Peng1, AN Li-na1, LI Xiao-feng1, DUAN Hong-yu1   

  1. 1 College of Geography and Environment Sciences, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, Gansu, China;
    2 Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Transboundary Eco-security, Kunming 650091, Yunnan, China;
    3 Institute of International Rivers and Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China
  • Received:2018-08-11 Revised:2018-10-02 Online:2018-11-25

Abstract: Ice volume is not only the crucial glacier property but also the foundational data in computing glacial water resources and predicting glacial change.Therefore,it is of vitally theoretical and practical significance for exactly computing glacier volume and variation.In this paper,we analyzed and discussed the principles,developments and problems of existing methods in order to provide the reference for the estimation of glacier volume.At present,major methods of estimating glacier volume include volume-area empirical formula method,method of ice thickness estimation models and GPR,and computational methods to estimate relative change of glacier volume include mainly the field measurement,the estimation method based on remotely sensed data and gravimetric method.The volume-area empirical formula method was used to estimate regional or global glacier volume simply and fleetly;the method of ice thickness estimation models were suitable to estimate single or small-scale glacier volume and do not need the input of measured data.The GPR was applied to estimate glacier volume where human beings can reach easily.The field measurement with the most accurate result fits to estimate glacier volume change specifically for single glacier as well as small or medium-sized glaciers that require the high accuracy and meet the conditions of field measurement.The method based on remotely sensed data is applicable to estimate glacier volume change globally,so it needs to improve the algorithm and enhance the spatial resolution of the data.GRACE has the characteristic of wide coverage but has a low spatial resolution,so it is necessary to modify the spherical harmonic domain and spatial domain and improve the spatial resolution when applied to small regional glaciers.With the emergence of new technology and theory,the multi-disciplinary fusion provides new opportunities for the improvement of the estimation accuracy of glacier volume.The development of the estimation models and continuous supplement of the glacier inventory data offer new chances and data support for estimation of glacier volume.

Key words: glacier, glacier volume, glacier thickness, mass balance, calculation method

CLC Number: 

  • P931.4