The database and GIS analysis of the status of glaciation of the Kodar Mountains (Northern Transbaikalia)

Abstract

Presented is mapping material on the glacio-nival formations in the mountains in the south of East Siberia, and information regarding the generation of relevant databases. We examine the status of glaciation of the Kodar Mountains since the mid-20^th century till the present as well as assessing it for four periods of time: 1) from the topographic 1:50 000–1:200 000 maps displaying the glaciers as of the early 1960s; 2) from data in the Catalog of Glaciers of the USSR (the early 1970s); 3) from the maps of glaciers of the Kodar Mountains as compiled during 1976–1985 by researchers of the Institute of Geography of Siberia and the Far East of the USSR Academy of Sciences (most of them are unpublished), and 4) the present status from Earth remote sensing data (images taken by EROS, Quick Bird, Aster and Landsat during 2002–2015). Attribute tables are presented in WGI format. Analysis of data on a different temporal status showed the glaciation dynamics of the Kodar Mountains with a general tendency for a reduction in the glacier area. We determined the degree of degradation of nival-glacial formations and updated the coordinates of their centers, area, shape, length, orientation, altitudinal position, and other characteristics. The evidence thus obtained serves to update and complement the international glacier databases.