Analysis on the Glacial Hydrological Features of the Glaciers on the South Slope Of Mt. Tuomuer and the Effects on Runoff

Abstract

Ablation of the glacier terminuses is not so violent on the south slope of Mt. Tuomuer in the west Tianshan Mountains because the thick moraines cover on the surface of the glaciers. At the glacier ablation region with attitude of 3 020～4 250 m a.s.l. on Keqikaer Glacier, the region with the most violent ablation is located in an altitude zone of 3 750～3 850 m a,s,l., and the moraine thickness reduces from 20 cm to 0 cm in this region. Glacier ablation is related to air temperature, and there is an exponential curve between the annual melt water volume from Tailan Glacier with attitude of 4 000 m a.s.l. and the mean air temperature during the period from June to August in the study area. Because of the rapid change of temperature in the alpine regions, the glacier melt water volumes measured at the temporary glacial hydrological station fluctuate violently. The rivers rising from the glacier are mainly recharged by glacier melt water and its proportion has increased since recent decades under climate warming. It is estimated that the total annual runoff volume of these rivers is increased for 10×10 8 m 3 than that before 20 years. Seasonal distribution of the runoff of these rivers is quite asymmetrical but the interannual change is stable. The persistence of the monthly runoff volume of these rivers is poor, especially in April and May, which is disadvantage for the utilization of water resource.