Small glacier forms and climate changes in the Taymyr Peninsula: new assessments

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New estimates of the glaciation in the Taimyr Peninsula were obtained on the basis of the satellite data. The glaciation of the Byrranga Mountains was analyzed. These are the northernmost continental mountain glaciers, represented mainly by small forms of glaciation. They were in a relatively stable state until the end of the 20th century, but by 2003 the total area of them had decreased by 17% (Landsat images) compared to the USSR Catalog of Glaciers (1967). And even more (by 35–46%), of their area had decreased by 2022 (Sentinel-2) (CORONA images, 1966) in different basins that have been determined for all groups of glaciers. The use of the ArcticDEM database made it possible to correct the boundaries of the ice divides between the glaciers in the center of the glaciation. If we compare the results of 2022 with the 1967 Catalog, the contraction becomes more intensive – from 48.8 to 56%. Accordingly, the comparison with the Corona images of 1966 demonstrated a certain discrepancy with data of the 1967 Catalog – from 3 to 20% for different basins. Estimates of climatic changes in this region have been made, against the background of which the Byrranga glaciers are shrinking. The most intensive warming in Russia occurred here, on the Taimyr, during the period 1966–2021. The average annual air temperature had risen by 4–5 °C, but in summer the rate of warming was 2 times lower than the annual means. This means that in addition to the air temperature rise, other factors contribute to the accelerated melting of the glaciers. Thus, according to the ERA5-Land reanalysis, a significant increase in the radiation balance was identified (up to 3 W/m2/10 years, which for the period 1966–2021 amounted to 5% of the regional mean), which probably occurred due to a decrease in the surface albedo.

About the authors

M. D. Ananicheva

Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Sciences

Author for correspondence.
Email: maranan@gmail.com
Russian Federation, Moscow

I. A. Korneva

Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Sciences; Institute of Natural and Technical Systems

Email: maranan@gmail.com
Russian Federation, Moscow; Sevastopol

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