Stagnation of the Pensilungpa glacier, western Himalaya, India: causes and implications

Abstract This study investigates stagnation conditions of the Pensilungpa glacier, western Himalaya. Multiple glacier parameters (length, area, debris extent and thickness, snowline altitude (SLA), velocity, downwasting ice cliffs) were studied using field measurements (2016–18), high-resolution imagery from GoogleEarth (2013–17) spaceborne Landsat, ASTER SRTM data (1993–2017) to comprehend glacier's current state. Results show a moderate decrease in length (6.62 ± 2.11 m −1 ) area (0.11 0.03% ), marked increase SLA (~6 cover (2.86 0.29% slowdown ~50% during 1993–2016. Notable thinning −0.88 0.04 was observed between 2000 2017 showing similar trend as 2016–17 (−0.88 m) 2017–18 (−1.54 m). Further, results reveal lower ablation zone (LAZ). Less mass supply heterogeneous growth (6.67 0.41% over previous decade resulted slowdown, margin insulation slope-inversion, leading stagnation. Stagnation LAZ caused bulging dynamic upper favored development supraglacial ponds cliffs. Ice cliffs have grown significantly (48% number; 41% 2013–17) their back-wasting now dominates process.