Work

Brief communication: Sensitivity analysis of peak water to ice thickness and temperature: A case study in the Western Kunlun Mountains of the Tibetan Plateau

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: . This study investigates the sensitivity of peak water timing in the western Kunlun Mountains of the Tibetan Plateau. Using the Open Global Glacier Model, we analyze how variations in inverted ice volume and temperature bias under different climate scenarios affect peak water timing and magnitude. We compare two global ice thickness datasets, revealing substantial differences in the predicted peak water timing and magnitude. The results highlight that smaller initial ice volumes lead to earlier peak water occurrences, particularly under the SSP5-8.5 scenario. Temperature bias also significantly influences runoff magnitude and the timing of peak water, especially under high-emission scenarios. These findings underscore the importance of accurate ice thickness estimates and climate projections for predicting future water availability and informing water management strategies in glacier-dependent regions.

Source: The cryosphere

DOI: 10.5194/tc-20-171-2026

Authors: Lucille Gimenes, Romain Millan, Nicolas Champollion, Jordi Bolibar

Institutions: Institut des Géosciences de l'Environnement, Université Grenoble Alpes

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: $1,574