Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Fluctuation of glaciers in the southeast Russian Altai and northwest Mongolia Mountains since the Little Ice Age maximum

  • Thematic Issue
  • Published:
Environmental Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The present state and dynamics (since the maximum of the LIA) of the glaciers of southeast Russian and north Mongolian Altai have been studied. Data were obtained from 15 areas of glaciation. The research is based on multiyear in situ observations and analysis of aerial photos of mid-1960s and high resolution space imagery; 553 modern glaciers with total area 313.4 km2 have been mapped and put down into catalogues, including glaciated areas and glaciers that have not been studied before. Glacial complexes with united accumulation zone and flat-summit glaciers in the center and valley glaciers on the sides are typical for the area of research. The firn line level rises from 3200–3300 m in the west to 3600–3700 m in the east. This tendency reflects the reduction of nourishment of the glaciers in this direction due to decrease of precipitation. The largest valley glaciers exist on the northeastern leeward slopes as a result of two to threefold concentration of snow. The last glacial advance in the maximum of LIA, according to dendrological data, finished in the first half of the 19th century. From the maximum of the LIA, the glaciation of the region lost about 51 %, ELA average uplift was 89 m. On the background of general trend of glacial retreat, there were several periods of stabilization of glacial fronts, the most distinct in mid-1960s. In the last 50 years, there were two warm and dry intervals: 1972–1981 and 1992–2008; and three cool and moist intervals: prior to 1972, during 1982–1994 and subsequent to 2009. It caused fluctuations of firn line altitude with about 300 m range and abrupt changes of glacial area. Maximal changes were observed between 1995 and 2008, when areas of the glaciers decreased with average rate 1–2 % year. Determination of retreat of glacial snouts after the LIA by geomorphic features is described by VI-phase scheme.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adamenko MF, Selishchev EN (1984) New data on glacier dynamics in the Akturu and Kurumdu river basins during the Little Ice Age. In: Proceedings of the scientific conference: nature and economics of the Kuznetsk Basin. Novokuznetsk, pp 58–61

  • Adamenko MF, Syubaev AA (1977) Climate dynamics in the territory of Mountain Altai in the 15 the 20th centuries on the basis of dendrochronological analysis. Problems of Mountain Glaciology. Tomsk University Press, Tomsk, pp 196–202

    Google Scholar 

  • Agatova AR, Nazarov AN, Nepop RK, Rodnight H (2012) Holocene glacier fluctuations and climate changes in the southeastern part of the Russian Altai (South Siberia) based on a radiocarbon chronology. Quat Sci Rev 43:74–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baast P (1998) Modern glaciers of Mongolia. Unpublished Report. Ulanbaator, Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology, p 162

    Google Scholar 

  • Barbash VR, Bocharova NG, Davidovich NV, Krenke AN (1981) Computer-aided calculations of some characteristics of melting and its thermic resources. MГИ (Nauka) 43:114–119

    Google Scholar 

  • Byamba ZH, Selivanov EI (1971) Present glaciation of Mongolia. In: Proceedings of Bulletin of All-Union Geographical Society vol 103, no 3

  • Chistyakov K, Yu V, Seliverstov P, Mihailov NN, Moskalenko IG, Ganushkin DA (2000) About the finding of ancient larch wood in South-West Tuva. Bull Russ Geogr Soc 132(3):68–76

    Google Scholar 

  • Chistyakov KV, Ganushkin DA, Moskalenko IG, Dullo WC (2011) The glacier complexes of the mountain massifs of the north-west of Inner Asia and their dynamics. Geogr Environ Sustain 2:4–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Cogley JG (2009) A more complete version of the World Glacier Inventory. Ann Glaciol 50:32–38

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dashdeleg N (1990) Modern glaciers of Mongolia. In: National Atlas of the Peoples Republic of Mongolia. Academy of Sciences of Mongolia and Academy of Sciences of USSR, Ulanbaatar and Moscow

  • Davaa G, Basandorj J (2005) Changes in hydrological systems of Mongolia. In: Proceedings of 13th Internationa Hydrological Programme (IHP) Regional Steering Committee Meeting for Southeast Asia and Pacific, final report, 25 Nov 2005 Bali. Jakarta: United Nations Educat, 2005, pp 113–122

  • Davaa G, Kadota T (2009) Presentation at 5th meeting of global earth observation system of systems (GEOSS)/Asian water cycle initiative (AWCI) Dec 15–17, University of Tokyo. Overview of Current Glacier Studies in Mongolia

  • Donchenko ED (1962) Glacierization of Shapshalskiy ridge and its dynamics in historical time (on the basis of aerial materials). Glaciol Altai 1962:146–172

    Google Scholar 

  • Dushkin MA (1974) The Glacier Inventory of USSR vol 15. Altai and Western Syberia Issue, 1. Altai Mountains and UpperIrtysh, Part 6, Chuya river basin. Hydrometeo Publishing, Leningrad

  • Dushkin MA, Revyakin VS (1977) The Glacier Inventory of USSR vol 15. Altai and Western Syberia Issue 5, Argut river bassin. Leningrad

  • Galakhov VP, Red’kin AG (2001) Present and past glasiation of Tavan Bogd plexus of mountains. Geogr Environ Manag Syberia (Altai State Univ) 4:153–175

    Google Scholar 

  • Galakhov VP, Yy S, Samoilova A, Schevchenko A, Sheremetov RT (2013) The rate of volume change in the Glacier Maly Aktru (Altai) for the period of instrumental observations. Bulletin of Altai State University, pp 147–150

  • Ganiushkin DA, Chistyakov KV, Bueva MV (2013) Variability of the altitudinal position of firn line of the glaciers of Altai-Sayan mountain region and its connection with climatic parameters. Bull Russ Geogr Soc 2013:45–53

    Google Scholar 

  • Ganjushkin DA, Moskalenko IG, Yu P, Seliverstov DM (1998) The glaciation of Mongun-Taiga massif (Inner Asia) in maximum of little glacial epoch and its evolution. Bull Saint-Petersburg State University (Saint-Petersburg State University Press) series 7, no 4 (no 28), pp 27–37

  • Ganushkin DA, Chistyakov KV (2014) Mountain geosystems of the intercontinental regions of Asia: structure and modern dynamics-2014. Matters of Geography, no. 137: Mountain research. Mountain regions of northern Eurasia. Development in conditions of global change, pp 83–106

  • Ganyushkin DA, Moskalenko IG, Chistyakov KV (2010) Fluctuations of glaciers of Mongun-Taiga Massis (Southeast Altai) after the maximum of the Little Ice Age. Ice Snow (Nauka) 3:5–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Glazyrin GE (1985) Distribution and regime of mountain glaciers. Hydrometeo Publishing, Leningrad

    Google Scholar 

  • Ivanovskiy LN (1965) Problems of correlation of terminal moraines in Altai. Glaciol Altai 1965:49–69

    Google Scholar 

  • Ivanovsky LN, Panychev VA (1978) The development and age of terminal moraines of the XVII–XIXth centuries of Aktru Glaciers, Altai. In: present relief formation processes in Siberia, pp 127–138

  • Ivanovsky LN, Panychev VA, Orlova LA (1982) Age of terminal moraines of “Aktru” and “Historical” stages of Altai Glaciers. In: Proceedings of Late Pleistocene and Holocene of the southern part of Eastern Siberia, Nauka, Novosibirsk, pp 57–64

  • Jahnsen A (2010) Modeling of climate parameters for characterizing glaciers in the Turgen-Kharkhiraa Massif (Mongolia). PhD thesis. Technical University of Aachen, Aachen, p 143 + appendix

  • Kadota T, Davaa G (2004) A preliminary study on glaciers in Mongolia. Proceedings of the 2nd international workshop on terrestrial change in Mongolia. Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology, Ulaanbaatar, pp 100–102

    Google Scholar 

  • Kamp U, Krumwiede B, Mcmanidal K, Pan C, Walther M, Dashtseren A (2013) The glaciers of Mongolia. Occasional paper no 61, p 43

  • Kamp U, McManigal KG, Dashtseren A, Walther M (2013b) Documenting glacial changes between 1910, 1970, 1992 and 2010 in the Turgen Mountains, Mongolian Altai, using repeat photographs, topographic maps, and satellite imagery. Geogr J 179(3):248–263

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khrutshy VS, Golubeva EI (2008) Dynamics of the glaciers of the Turgen-Kharkhira mountain range (Western Mongolia). Geogr Nat Res 29:278–287

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klinge M (2001) Glacial-geomorphologic Investigations in the Mongolian Altai: a Contribution to the Late Quaternary Landscape and Climate History of Western Mongolia, 2001.-35: 125 p.- in German.” Aachen: Aachener Geographische Arbeiten, 2001. 125

  • Klinge M, Bohner J, Lehmkuhl F (2003) Climate pattern, snow- and timberline in the Altai mountains, Central Asia. Erdkunde 57:296–308

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krenke AN (1982) Mass-exchange of glacier systems on USSR territory. Hydrometeo Publishing, Leningrad

    Google Scholar 

  • Kurowsky L (1891) Die Hohe der Schneegrenze mit besonderer Berucksichtigung der Finsteraargorngruppe. Pencks Geogr. Abhandlungen, pp 115–160

  • Lehmkuhl F (1998) Quarternary glaciation in central and western Mongolia. Quart Proc 6:153–167

    Google Scholar 

  • Lehmkuhl F (1999) Modern and Pleistocene geomorphic regions in the Turgen-Kharkhira Mountins, Mongolian Altai. Die Erde 130:151–172

    Google Scholar 

  • Lehmkuhl F (2012) Holocene glaciers in the Mongolian Altai: an example from the Turgen-Kharkhiraa Mountains. J Asian Earth Sci 2012:12–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loibl D, Lehmkuhl F, Grießinger J (2014) Reconstructing glacier retreat since the Little Ice Age in SE Tibet by glacier mapping and equilibrium line altitude calculation. Geomorphology 214:22–39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mihailov NN, Ostanin OV (2002) Glaciers of the South and Mongolian Altai and their changes in the XX century. Geogr Environ Manag Syberia (ASU) 5:3–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Moskalenko IG, Yu P, Seliverstov DM, Novikov SA (1997) Recent glacierization of the Mongun-Taiga massif (Iterior Asia) and oroclimatic conditions. Data Glaciol Stud (Nauka) 82:33–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Moskalenko IG, Yu P, Seliverstov DM, Chistyakov KV (1999) Modern glaciation of the Great Lakes Basin highland massifs. Data Glaciol Stud (Nauka) 87:42–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Moskalenko IG, Ganyushkin DA, Chistyakov KV (2013) Modern and ancient glaciation of northern slope of the Tavan-Bogdo-Ola massif. Ice Snow 3:33–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Mukhametov RM (1988) Fluctuations зa the glacial systems of Altai-Sayan mountain area. Irkutsk, p 16

  • Narozhnyy Yu K (2001) External mass exchange o Aktru glaciers: observation methods, tendencies of changes and climatic predicament. Bulletin of Tomsk State University pp 13–23

  • Nazarov AN, Solomina ON, Myglan VS (2012) Dynamics of the upper tree line and of the glaciers of Central and Eastern Altai in Holocene. In: Proceedings of Academy of Science pp 1–5

  • Ohmura A (2009) Completing the world glacier inventory. Ann Glaciol 50:144–148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Okishev PA (1982) Dynamics of the glaciation of Altai in late Pleistocene and Holocene. Tomsk State University Press, Tomsk

    Google Scholar 

  • Otgonbayar D (2013) Modern glaciation of the Mongolian Altai (on the example of Munhhairhan and Sutai mountain ranges and Tsambagarav mountain knot. Business Connect, Barnaul

    Google Scholar 

  • Revyakin VS (1978) The Glacier Inventory of USSR vol 15. Altai and Western Syberia Issue 1. Altai Mountains and UpperIrtysh. Part 8. Mogen-Buren and Kargy river bassins. vol 80. Hydrometeo Publishing, Leningrad

  • Seliverstov Yu P (1972) Recent glaciation of Mungun-Taiga (south-west Tuva). Bull All-Union Geogr Soc 104(1):40–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Seliverstov Yu P, Moskalenko IG, Chistyakov KV (2003) Glaciation of the northern slope of Tavan-Bogd-Uul massif and it’s dynamics. Bull Russ Geogr Soc 135(5):1–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Semikhatova LI (1930) Modern glaziation of South-Eastern Altai. Soviet, Asia, pp 221–236

    Google Scholar 

  • Solomina ON (1999) Mountain glaciations of the Northern Eurasia during the Holocene. Moscow

  • Wu Z, Liu S, Zhang S, Xiao H (2013) Internal structure and trend of glacier change assessed by geophysical investigations. Environ Earth Sci 86(6):1513–1525

    Google Scholar 

  • Yabouki H, Ohata T (2009) American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2009. The recent glacier changes in the Mongolian Altai Mountains

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was financially supported by the following grant projects: 14-05-00796 “Research of morphology, genesis and dynamics of stone-ice formations of Altai-Sayan mountain system”; The Russian Foundation for Basic Research and Russian Geographical Society No 13-05-41075 “Indication of climatic fluctuations and forecast of landscape changes in the glacio-nival zone of arid mountains of intercontinental Eurasia”.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Geography and Landscape Planning, Faculty of Geography and Geoecology, Saint Petersburg State University, 10 liniya V.O., h.33-35, Saint Petersburg, 199178, Russian Federation

    Dmitry Ganiushkin & Kirill Chistyakov

  2. The Space and Geoinformation Technologies Resource Center of Saint-Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg State University, 10 liniya V.O., h.33-35, Saint Petersburg, 199178, Russian Federation

    Elena Kunaeva

Authors
  1. Dmitry Ganiushkin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kirill Chistyakov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Elena Kunaeva
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dmitry Ganiushkin.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ganiushkin, D., Chistyakov, K. & Kunaeva, E. Fluctuation of glaciers in the southeast Russian Altai and northwest Mongolia Mountains since the Little Ice Age maximum. Environ Earth Sci 74, 1883–1904 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-015-4301-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-015-4301-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation