STUDY OF GLACIERS USING MODERN METHODS OF REMOTE SENSING OF THE EARTH OF THE WESTERN TIEN SHAN: ARYS RIVER BASIN

Abstract

A study on changes in glaciers in the Arys River basin in the Western Tien Shan in the periods 1957-2000, 2000-2011 and 2011-2022 was conducted. Our study was based on the analysis of data obtained using Landsat TM/ETM+ and OLI. In 2000, 74 glaciers with a total area of 18.02 km² were discovered. However, by 2022, the number of glaciers had decreased to 58, and the total area was 11.48 km². This indicates a reduction of 6.54 km² or, equivalently, 1.65% per year over 22 years. In addition, we studied the rate of reduction of glaciers, considering their size, height and slope. As a result, there was a significant decrease in the size of glaciers by 36.29%. The main reason for this noticeable decrease is most likely due to the prevailing trend of rising temperatures, as well as the fact that small glaciers are located at relatively low altitudes in the outer ridges of the Western Tien Shan. However, the research results show that the rate of reduction of glacier-covered areas of the northern part of the Western Tien Shan is relatively lower compared to other territories. Based on the analysis, it was concluded that the glacial areas of the Arys River basin are in unfavorable conditions for glaciation. Consequently, in these regions, the rate of glacier reduction is higher than in other glacial regions of the Western Tien Shan in the period from 1957 to 2022.