Remote Sensing Survey of Existing Glaciers in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

An investigation of existing glaciers in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau based on remote sensing technology has revealed the areas of existing glaciers in different ridges.The decreased area of existing glaciers in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau from the middle of the 1960's nearly to the 2000's was also found out.Different kinds of remote sensing data suitable for the investigation were chosen according to the characteristics of glaciers distribution.Terrain correction of the remote sensing data is necessary to reduce the influence of topography on the investigation precision.Much seasonal snow existent on the high mountains must be eliminated.It is difficult to eliminate seasonal snow in most areas because it is so similar to the existing glacier.Many ways are summarized to eliminate the seasonal snow.Till the year of 2000,the area of existing glacier in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was 46 887.23 km2,suggesting a shrinkage of nearly 3 941.68 km2.About 131.4 km2 of existing glaciers was reduced per year from the middle of 1960's approximately to the 2000's in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.