Arctic Antarctic and Alpine Research · 2007 · 452 citations · 18 references
Natural ResourcesEarth SciencesHydrologyCatchment HydrologyGeomorphologyGlacier HydrologyGlacial HydrologyGlacial RetreatGlacier RetreatHydrologic Response Of GlaciersSubglacial ProcessesWater FlowGlacier Retreat Impacts On RunoffHydrological HistoryHydrological Impacts Of Glacier RetreatMountain Glacier Response To Climate ChangeMountain Glacier RetreatRiver Runoff Impacts
Glacial retreat on the Tibetan Plateau and surrounding regions is characteristic since the 1960s and has intensified in the past 10 yr. The magnitude of glacial retreat is relatively small in the interior of the Tibetan Plateau and increases to the margins of the plateau, with the greatest retreat around the edges. Glacial retreat in this region is impacting the hydrological processes in the Tibetan Plateau and surrounding regions. The glacial retreat has caused an increase of more than 5.5% in river runoff from the plateau. In some areas, such as the Tarim River basin, the increase in river runoff is greater. Glacial retreat has also caused rising lake levels in the areas with large coverage of glaciers, such as the Nam Co Lake and Selin Co Lake areas. Rising lake levels are devastating grasslands and villages near the lakes.
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A. B. Shrestha, Cameron P. Wake, Paul A. Mayewski et al. · Journal of Climate · 1999 · 849 citations · Full text