A Geospatial Analysis of Shishper Glacier Surge-Upper Hunza Gilgit Baltistan

Abstract

Glaciers can be an important indicator of climate change. In Pakistan, glaciers are found in the Northern Part of the country. In this study, we have discussed the occurrence of surge velocity, lake formation, and outburst of Shisper Glacier, Hunza, Gilgit, and Baltistan. To conduct this study satellite remote sensing techniques have been used. For this purpose, Sentinel-2 and Landsat 8 have been downloaded for 2015-2019. While to examine the elevation difference ASTER 2000 and SRTM 2014 Digital Elevation Model (DEM) have been downloaded, along with this other remote sensing analyses were applied including temporal change, land cover, and morphometric analysis including indices Normalized Difference Snow Index (NDSI) and Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI). It has been analyzed that Ice-Dammed Lake formed in November 2018, which is the greatest threat to the study area as it can cause glacial lake outbursts and the volume of the lake is showing a continuous increase from 2018- to 2020. The land cover change indicated that snow area has increased about 35% from 2015 to 2018 along with an increase in debris glacier by about 20%. Whereas, a decrease in vegetation was observed up to 2% in 3 years. This study concludes that snow and clear glacier are enlarged over time. Taking into account our research, our suggestion is obligatory stride should be taken to keep away from the disastrous occurrence in the Shisper glacier.