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<p>Glaciers in the Himalayan region have undergone rapid shrinkage owing to climate change, posing significant challenges to regional hydrology, dependent ecosystems, and socioeconomic sectors. In addition to temperature warming, surface albedo is a key parameter that influences glacier melt. In this study, spatiotemporal variability of albedo on four benchmark glaciers, Kolahoi, Machoi, Parkachik, and Drang Drung, in the northwest Himalaya was analyzed using MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) and Landsat-8 OLI data over 22 years (2001–2022) in Google Earth Engine (GEE). Furthermore, changes in glacier albedo were correlated with geodetic surface lowering. The glacier albedo varied with time and space. Drang Drung showed the highest mean albedo at 55% (MODIS) and 65.3% (Landsat-8 OLI), whereas Machoi recorded the lowest at 46.2% (MODIS) and 52% (Landsat-8 OLI), likely due to debris cover and slope of glaciers. Seasonal analysis revealed a marked decline in albedo during summer and fall as seasonal snow melts and exposes darker bare ice, while winter and spring recorded higher albedo owing to fresh snowfall. The highest seasonal albedo of 68.8% was observed for the Drang Drung glacier in spring, and the lowest (32.2%) for Machoi in summer. Although climate is typically considered the dominant driver of glacier surface lowering, the results highlight the substantial role of albedo. Reduced albedo in summer enhances ice melt, contributing to surface lowering, whereas higher winter albedo aids in mass preservation by reflecting greater solar radiation. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring albedo variability for understanding glacier behaviour and improving projections of future melt rates.&#xa0;</p>

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Remote sensing-based assessment of albedo changes on benchmark glaciers in the Western Himalaya, India, between 2001 and 2022 using Google Earth Engine: implications for glacier mass loss

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月7日

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  • Seerat Magray,
  • Sami Ullah Bhat,
  • Irfan Rashid

摘要

Glaciers in the Himalayan region have undergone rapid shrinkage owing to climate change, posing significant challenges to regional hydrology, dependent ecosystems, and socioeconomic sectors. In addition to temperature warming, surface albedo is a key parameter that influences glacier melt. In this study, spatiotemporal variability of albedo on four benchmark glaciers, Kolahoi, Machoi, Parkachik, and Drang Drung, in the northwest Himalaya was analyzed using MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) and Landsat-8 OLI data over 22 years (2001–2022) in Google Earth Engine (GEE). Furthermore, changes in glacier albedo were correlated with geodetic surface lowering. The glacier albedo varied with time and space. Drang Drung showed the highest mean albedo at 55% (MODIS) and 65.3% (Landsat-8 OLI), whereas Machoi recorded the lowest at 46.2% (MODIS) and 52% (Landsat-8 OLI), likely due to debris cover and slope of glaciers. Seasonal analysis revealed a marked decline in albedo during summer and fall as seasonal snow melts and exposes darker bare ice, while winter and spring recorded higher albedo owing to fresh snowfall. The highest seasonal albedo of 68.8% was observed for the Drang Drung glacier in spring, and the lowest (32.2%) for Machoi in summer. Although climate is typically considered the dominant driver of glacier surface lowering, the results highlight the substantial role of albedo. Reduced albedo in summer enhances ice melt, contributing to surface lowering, whereas higher winter albedo aids in mass preservation by reflecting greater solar radiation. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring albedo variability for understanding glacier behaviour and improving projections of future melt rates.