Spatial and Temporal Kinematics of the Inylchek Glacier in Kyrgyzstan Derived from Landsat and ASTER Imagery

Spatio-temporal variations of glacier flow are a key indicator of impact of global warming, as the glaciers react sensitively to change in climate. Satellite remote sensing using optical imagery is an efficient tool for studying ice-velocity fields on mountain glaciers. This study evaluates the potential of Landsat and ASTER imagery to investigate surface velocity field associated with the Inylchek Glacier in Kyrgyzstan. We present a detailed map for the kinematics of Inylchek glacier obtained by cross correlation analysis of Landsat images, acquired between 2000 and 2010, and a pair of Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) images covering the time period of 2007–2008. Our result indicates a high-velocity region in the elevated part of the glacier moving up to a rate of about 0.5 m/day. Time series analysis reveals some annual variations in the mean surface velocity of the Inylchek during 2000–2010.

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