More dynamic than expected: an updated survey of surging glaciers in the Pamir

A comprehensive survey of surging glaciers in the Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan, reveals significantly more dynamic glacial activity than previously documented. Researchers identified 206 distinct surges within 186 glacier bodies, primarily concentrated in the northern and western regions, using advanced remote sensing techniques, including Landsat imagery, high-resolution satellite data, and digital elevation models (DEMs) spanning from 1988 to 2018. This updated inventory more than doubles the known number of surging glaciers compared to earlier records, with notable findings including glaciers exhibiting length increases exceeding 100%. The study highlights the power of remote sensing in capturing detailed data from inaccessible regions and provides valuable datasets for further research (Goerlich et al., 2020).

Goerlich, F., Bolch, T., & Paul, F. (2020). More dynamic than expected: an updated survey of surging glaciers in the Pamir. Earth System Science Data, 12(4), 3161–3176. https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-12-3161-2020