Glacier changes, especially recent melting, can affect our resources including drinking water supplies, agriculture, hydroelectric power, transportation, tourism, coastlines, and ecological habitats. Glacial changes can also have a more immediate impact on communities that rely on glaciers for their water supply, or on regions susceptible to floods, avalanches, or landslides triggered by abrupt glacial melt. Monitoring of glaciers for estimation of glaciated area is felt essential. Satellite data can be effectively used for such monitoring, where the area is vast and inaccessible. Multi temporal data will help in estimation of future changes in glaciated area and also track size and movement of glaciers. In continuation to previous study (“A Study of Glaciers in Northern Pakistan” published in proceeding of ALOS First Joint PI Symposium of ALOS Data Nodes for ALOS Science Program in Kyoto), the study has been extended to monitor Ghulkin and Passu Glaciers, situated in the south of Batura Glacier, these glaciers have experienced GLOF on 21 May 2008, causing massive damage to houses and crops and blocked Karakoram Highway. The purpose of this study is to analyze the variations in Ghulkin and Passu Glaciers during 1992 and 2008. Analyses of Batura, Biafo, Yazghil and Jutmau have also been included in the study. Landsat (TM Oct 1992, ETM+ Oct 2000) and ALOS (AVNIR Oct 2007) cloud free images were selected for the study. Spectral signatures of glaciated, non glaciated and transition (mixed snow & ice) areas have been identified using supervised, unsupervised and band ratios techniques. The glaciers retreat in the region is due to global warming. |
Abstracts 
