Abstract ID: 3.8529 | Accepted as Poster | Talk/Oral | TBA | TBA

The global variability in glacier systems is changing, mainly due to fluctuation of glaciers from one region to another as a result of climate change. This research investigates changes in Passu Glacier between 2011 and 2024 in the context of the glacier’s response to climate change in Karakoram region, particularly the glacier’s snout. The study utilizes multi-temporal satellite images and field based surveys to analyse fluctuation of glacier snout over a period of 14 years. Field based surveys, which played an important role in understanding the behaviour of this glacier. These surveys began in 2011, determined the glacier’s snout periphery, which has aided in monitoring the glacier in subsequent years. In 2012, the glacier exhibited marked extreme instability when it retreated approximately 100m within a year. Follow up field survey in 2013, demonstrating that the glacier had indeed changed to a more retreating state, though at a slower pace increasing the chances of remaining in a more stable state. Surveys conducted between 2015 and 2016 confirmed that the glacier’s retreat was continuing, suggesting that it was part of a long term process rather than a single fluctuation. The most alarming change happened during the year 2024 survey when it was revealed that the glacier’s terminus had retreated by approximately 650 meters since the last survey conducted in 2015. This sharply increases the rate of retreat, underscoring the glacier’s greater sensitivity to climate change. Active meltwater also streaming through the snout identified along with substantial mass loss in the glacier, suggesting that there were significant ablation processes occurring. These surveys added information that helped better comprehend the more general pattern of glacier behaviour for whole Karakoram region. Data from high resolution satellites collected to aid the accurate boundary delineation exhibited further retreating glaciations. The findings emphasize the importance of integrating satellite-based analyses with in-situ observation to monitor glacier behaviour within the context of regional climate dynamics, underscoring the need for continuous monitoring to predict and mitigate potential impacts on local communities caused by glacier related hazards which relies heavily on glacial runoff for irrigation, drinking water, and even hydropower in this region.