Work

Glacier mass variations in the China-Pakistan highway regions from multi-source altimetric remote sensing data

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The increasing frequency of extreme climatic events has significantly impacted glacier dynamics across diverse regions. This study utilizes ICESat-2 data and Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) to analyze glacier elevation trends along the China-Pakistan Highway (CPH). Systematic DEM evaluations identified NASA DEM as the optimal dataset (30 m resolution), showing minimal deviation and strong alignment with ICESat-2. Glaciers in the CPH exhibited a weakly positive mass balance (+0.28 ± 0.05 m w.e. yr−1), most pronounced in Karakorum, reaffirming the Pamir-Karakorum anomaly. Regional climate trends revealed temperature (+0.04 ± 0.03 °C yr−1) and precipitation (+0.08 ± 0.03 mm yr−1) increases, with distinct north-south temperature gradients and monsoonal-driven precipitation in East Pamir and West Karakorum. Combined climatic variability and glacier surges heightened glacier-related hazards, driven by complex topography and atmospheric interactions..

Source: Geocarto International

DOI: 10.1080/10106049.2025.2491649

Authors: Yanchao Zheng, Weibing Du, Yangyang Li, Huabin Chai, Abhishek Banerjee

Institutions: Henan Polytechnic University, Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources

Language: English

Topic: Cryospheric studies and observations

Subfield: Atmospheric Science

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,390