A glacier inventory for the Buordakh Massif, Cherskiy Range, Northeast Siberia, and evidence for recent glacier recession

Gurney, S.D.; Popovnin, V.V.; Shahgedanova, M.; Stokes, C.R.

Abstract

The Buordakh Massif, in the Cherskiy Range of northeast Siberia, contains mountains over 3000 m and, despite its arid climate, numerous glaciers. This paper presents a glacier inventory for the region and documents some 80 glaciers, which range in size from 0.1 to 10.4 km2 (total glacierized area is ca. 70 km2). The inventory is based on mapping derived from Landsat 7 ETM+ satellite imagery from August 2001, augmented with data from field investigations obtained at that time. The glaciers in this region are of the ‘firn-less,’ cold, continental type, and their mass balance relies heavily on the formation of superimposed ice. The most recent glacier maximum extents have also been delineated, and these are believed to date from the Little Ice Age (ca. A.D. 1550–1850). Glacier areal extent has reduced by some 14.8 km2 (ca. 17%) since this most recent maximum. Of the 80 glaciers catalogued, 49 have undergone a measurable retreat from their most recent maximum extent.

Citation

Gurney, S., Popovnin, V., Shahgedanova, M., & Stokes, C. (2008). A glacier inventory for the Buordakh Massif, Cherskiy Range, Northeast Siberia, and evidence for recent glacier recession. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research, 40(1), 81-88. https://doi.org/10.1657/1523-0430%2806-042%29%5Bgurney%5D2.0.co%3B2

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Feb 1, 2008
• Deposit Date: Nov 15, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 15, 2017
• Journal: Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research
• Print ISSN: 1523-0430
• Electronic ISSN: 1938-4246
• Publisher: Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 40
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 81-88
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1657/1523-0430%2806-042%29%5Bgurney%5D2.0.co%3B2
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1555761