An application of three different field methods to monitor changes in Urumqi Glacier No. 1, Chinese Tien Shan, during 2012–18

Abstract This study deploys RTK-GNSS in 2012, TLS 2015 and UAV 2018 to monitor the changes of Urumqi Glacier No. 1 (UG1), eastern Tien Shan, analyzes feasibility three technologies monitoring mountain glaciers. DEM differencing shows that UG1 has experienced a pronounced thinning mass loss for period 2012–18. The glacier surface elevation change ?0.83 ± 0.57 m w.e. ?1 been recorded 2012–15, whereas tongue 2015–18 2012–18 were ?2.03 0.95 ?1.34 0.88 , respectively. area shrunk by 0.07 × 10 ?3 km 2 terminus retreat rate was 6.28 0.83 during good agreement between glaciological geodetic specific mass-balances is promising, showing combination suitable change. We recommend application assess each other different locations glacier, e.g. base stations, ground control points, terminus, order avoid inherent limitations technology provide reliable data future studies western China.