You are browsing the archive for Caucasus Glacier retreat Archives - From a Glacier's Perspective.
December 20, 2022
Lekhziri Glacier, Georgia Retreat Leads to Separation 1996-2022
Lekhrziri Glacier in 1996 and 2022 Landsat images illustrating the retreat and separation of the three tributaries central (Lc), eastern (Le) and western (Lw). Red arrow indicates 1996 terminus and yellow arrows the 2022 terminus locations Lekhrziri Glacier has been the largest glacier in Georgia, and was until 2011 a compound glacier comprised of three tributaries joining a short distance from the terminus (Tielidze et al 2016). Tielidze et al …
December 10, 2022
Zemo Svaneti Glaciers, Georgia Not Poised for Survival
Ladevali (L), Tsaigmili (T), Baki (B), and Cherinda Glacier (C) in Sentinel false color image from August 30, 2022. Illustrating that each has 10% or less of the glacier surface retaining snowcover. Several glaciers at the headwaters of the Doira River in the Zemo Svaneti Planned National Park in the Georgian Caucasus have been stripped of snowpack during recent summers. A glacier without a zone a persistent snowcover throughout the …
September 9, 2020
Khanasankoi Glacier, Russia Separation and Full Snowcover Loss
Khasankoi Glacier in 1985, 1998, 2013 and 2020 Landsat imagery with Point 1-4 indicating locations where bedrock expansion is occurring with Point 1 and 3 separating the glacier into three parts. Note complete lack of snowcover on 8-26-2020. Khasnakoi Glacier is a north facing slope glacier just south of Mount Elbrus that drains into the Kuban River. The Greater Caucasus contain approximately 2000 glaciers with a total area of ~1200 …
July 25, 2020
Dzhikiugankez Glacier, Russia Persistent Limited Retained Snowpack 2013-2020
Dzhikiugankez Glacier in 1985 and 2020 Landsat images with the snowline shown by purple dots. A tributary at Point A has disappeared and tributary at the red arrow has separated. Thinning and marginal retreat is emphasized by blue and green arrows. Dzhikiugankez Glacier (Frozen Lake) is a large glacier on the northeast side of Mount Elbrus, Caucasus Range. The primary portion of the glacier indicated in the map of the …
February 15, 2018
Gora Gvandra Glaciers, Caucasus Mountains, No Accumulation Zone in 2017
Comparison of glaciers around Gora Gvandra, Caucasus Mountians in 1985 and 2017 Landsat images. G=Gvandra Glacier, D=Dalar galcier, DN =North Dalari Glacier, S=Sakeni Glacier and M=Morde Glacier. Gora Gvandra Mountain is southwest of Mount Elbrus of the Caucasus Mountains of Georgia and is surrounded by a group of glaciers that in recent years have not exhibited an accumulation zone. Stokes et al (2006) note that 94% of Caucasus Mountain glaciers retreated …
May 15, 2017
Azaubashi Glacier Fragmenting, Mount Elbrus, Russia
Azaubashi Glacier (W) and Azau Glacier (A) in 1985 Landsat and 2016 Sentinel Image. Orange arrows indicate particular areas of fragmentation and bedrock expansion. Pink arrows indicate connection with Azau Glacier the terminus of which in 1985 is at red arrow and in 2016 is at yellow arrow. Azaubashi Glacier is on the southwest side of Mount Elbrus, Caucasus Mountains of Russia, merging with the Greater Azau Glacier. The glacier drains …
June 27, 2016
Suatisi Glacier Retreat, Mount Kazbek, Georgia
Comparison of Suatisi Vost (SV) and Suatisi Sredny (SS) in 1986 and 2015 Landsat images. The red arrow is the 1986 terminus and the yellow arrows the 2015 terminus. Point A and B are to areas of expanding bedrock amidst the glacier. Suatisi Vost and Suatisi Sredny Glacier are two glaciers on the south flank of Mount Kazbek in northern Georgia. The region is prone to landslides and debris flows. On …
July 30, 2015
Lednik Midagrabin Retreat, Caucasus, Russia
Lednik Midagrabin is a large glacier draining northwest from Gora Dzhimara in North Ossetia, Russia. Stokes et al (2006) examined Caucasus glaciers during the 1985-2000 period and found that 94% of the glaciers have retreated, 4% exhibited no overall change and 2% advanced. The mean retreat rate is 8 m/year, with the largest glacier retreating the fastest. Shahgedanova et al (2009) observed that the retreat was driven by a large rise in summer …
April 20, 2015
Dzhikiugankez Glacier Poised to Melt Away, Mount Elbrus, Russia.
Dzhikiugankez Glacier (Frozen Lake) is a large glacier on the northeast side of Mount Elbrus, the highest mountain in the Caucasus Range. The primary portion of the glacier indicated in the map of the region does not extend to the upper mountain, the adjoining glacier extending to the submit is the Kynchyr Syrt Glacier. The glacier is 5 km long extending from 4000 m to 3200 m. Shahgedanova et al …
November 10, 2013
Greater Azau Glacier, Mount Elbrus, Russia
Greater Azau Glacier is on the south slopes of Mount Elbrus, Caucasus Mountains of Russia. The glacier is just west of the ski complex at Prielbrusye, that has lifts from Azau at 2300 m to Krugozor at 3000 m and Mir at 3500 m. This glacier like others on Mount Elbrus and in the Caucasus Mountains is retreating. Shahgedanova et al (2014) of the glaciers on the mountain indicate a 5% …
Dean of Academic Affairs at Nichols College and Professor of Environmental Science at Nichols College in Massachusetts since 1989. Glaciologist directing the North Cascade Glacier Climate Project since 1984. This project monitors the mass balance and behavior of more glaciers than any other in North America.