Glacial landforms and geometric transformations: tracing the history of Pensilungpa and Durung-Drung glaciers in Suru and Doda River valleys, Western Himalaya, Ladakh

Abstract

This study focuses on the geomorphological, morphological, and glacier lake dynamics around the Durung-Drung (DDG) and Pensilungpa (PG) glaciers in Zanskar Himalaya, Ladakh. It identifies evidence of five stages of glacier advancement through preserved lateral moraines, showcasing deglaciation by 21 phases of recessional moraines for DDG and 9 phases for PG. The paleo-extent of the moraines reaching ~ 8 and ~ 9 km for DDG and PG indicates a negative mass balance at present, suggesting similarities of the glacier advancement during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and deglaciation after the LGM in the Himalaya and Tibet. The oldest lateral moraines observed thicknesses measure ~ 350 m for DDG and ~ 170 m for PG. Additionally, seven periglacial lakes near the Pensila Pass and two proglacial lakes at the front of the DDG are studied in detail. The field observations between 2015 and 2023 suggest that these lakes have increased in area and volume. The periglacial lake dimensions showed a marginal increase of 6.5% (17,939 m²) in surface area and around 7% (148,384 m³) in water volume, highlighting their dependence on non-glacial water sources (rain or snowmelt), whereas the expansion of the proglacial lakes near DDG was notable, with a ~ 164% increase in area and 190% in water volume between 2004 and 2023. These substantial increments underscore intensified glacial melt processes, emphasizing the vulnerability of the region’s glacial dynamics to climate change. Further, field observations from 2015 to 2023 revealed a total terminus retreat of ~ ( −)165 ± 95 m with an average rate of − 21 ± 12 m a⁻¹ for DDG and ~ ( −)80 ± 35 m with an average rate of − 10 ± 4 m a⁻¹ for PG. These findings signify a concerning acceleration in glacier recession and an increase in glacial melt, potentially influenced by the ongoing climate change.