Spatio-Temporal Patterns of Mass Changes in Himalayan Glaciated Region from EOF Analyses of GRACE Data

The nature of hydrological seasonality over the Himalayan Glaciated Region (HGR) is complex due to varied precipitation patterns. present study attempts exemplify spatio-temporal variation mass HGR using time-variable gravity from Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite for period 2002–2016 on seasonal interannual timescales. signal derived GRACE data decomposed empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs), allowing us identify three broad divisions HGR, i.e., western, central, eastern, based gain or loss that corresponds prevailing climatic changes. Further, causative relationships between variables EOF signals are explored Granger causality algorithm. It appears a causal relationship exists total water storage GRACE. modes also indicate certain regional anomalies such as Karakoram gain, which represents ongoing snow accumulation. Our result suggests excessive snowfall in 2005–2008 has initiated this gain. However, our results indicate, despite dampening rates after 2008, been steadily increasing Karakorum, attributed flattening temperature anomaly curve subsequent lower melting 2008.