Mass balance measurement of Himalayan glaciers: A case study of East Rathong and Kolahoi glaciers
Student name: Mr Vineet Jain
Guide: Dr Devesh Sharma
Year of completion: 2010
Host Organisation: The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Dr Shresth Tayal
Abstract: Glaciers are a very important component of Earth system. This study aims to understand the field
techniques involved in mass-balance measurement of glaciers, and calculate the mass balance of
Himalayan glaciers. Mass balance characteristics of glaciers vary from one region to another
depending on the weather patterns and the local climate. Hence, the glaciers from two different
micro-climatic settings in Himalaya, eastern and western, are comparatively assessed here to
understand the role of local level conditions in regulating the melting response of glaciers. A
comparison of areal extent of East Rathong and Kolahoi glaciers revealed that melting is far more in
the East Rathong glacier than the Kolahoi glacier.
Keywords: Glacier Mass balance, East Rathong glacier, Kolahoi glacier, Himalayan micro-climatic
settings, Himalayan geomorphology.
