The West Kunlun Glacier Anomaly and Its Response to Climate Forcing during 2002–2020

Research into glacial mass change in West Kunlun (WK) has been sufficient, but most of the existing studies were based on geodetic methods, which are not suitable for specific health state analyses each glacier. In this paper, we utilize Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) imagery, applying continuity equation to obtain altitudinal balance (SMB) 615 glaciers (>2 km2) during 2002–2011, 2011–2020, 2002–2020 research its response climatic forcing. The results show dissimilar glacier SMB patterns between 2002–2011 (0.10 ± 0.14 m w.e. a?1), 2011–2020 (–0.12 a?1) (?0.01 0.07 a?1). Additionally, equilibrium line altitude (ELA) WK was 5788 m, 5744 5786 respectively, corresponding accumulation area ratios (AARs) 0.59, 0.62, 0.58, 2002–2020, respectively. Regarding response, compared with ordinary-least-square (OLS) model, artificial neural network (ANN) model revealed a respectively less more sensitive extreme negative positive summer skin temperatures. addition, ANN indicated that ELA when integrated water vapor transport (IVT) exceeded 0.7 kg m?1s?1. Moreover, IVT (?121.57 m/kg m?1s?1), shifts chiefly dominated by temperature (+154.66 m/?) last two decades. From susceptible (?0.38 w.e./? ?0.16 w.e./?, respectively), while it influenced (0.45 w.e./kg m?1s?1). contrast eastern WK, western healthier, although mitigation measures still needed safeguard prevent possible natural hazards region. Finally, believe inconsistent ELAs from connected ice rheology combined effects can explain anomaly.