IHG (Institute of Himalayan Glaciology):-
Identified thrust areas of study
To begin with, the IHG will focus on conducting
studies in Jammu & Kashmir State. Considering the
magnitude of the task, the work has to be undertaken in a
phased manner. The gamut of observations would cover the
following work/ study :
a) Large scale Topographic and Thematic Maps: A large
scale topographic map of each glacier basin on the scale of
1:10,000 has to be prepared that carries detailed
topographical information of the basin, including the
crevasses, moraines, cliffs, hydrological characteristics of
basin, relief of terrain, etc. The maps prepared by Survey
of India (SOI) are available on the scale of 1:25,000 or
1:50,000 where some of the minor features are lost. The
thematic maps are equally important for the researchers
working in the field/s of geology, vegetation, soil, etc.
These maps can be prepared by professionals, such as SOI
against proper projects.
b) Mass Balance : Mass balance study of a glacier is
an important aspect of glaciology. The study helps in
evaluating any increase or decrease in the volume of ice
body during a fixed period of time. These studies not only
help in evolving the impact of climate change on a glacier
but also the impact on glacier melts. Factors responsible
for increase in glacier volume (positive mass balance) or
decrease in glacier volume (negative mass balance) in
Himalaya are not well understood. Lack of data on this
aspect serves constrain in evaluating the factors that are
responsible for fluctuation in glacier mass balance and
glacier melt water flow.
c) Glacier Hydrology : Contributions of glacier melt
water to Himalayan rivers is substantial. Glaciers play
major role in controlling the hydrology of Himalayan rivers,
climate of the subcontinent and are also indicator of the
effect of climate change and environment. Any fluctuation in
this contribution is found to have impact on the
hydroelectric power and the irrigation potential of the
rivers. The need of glacial hydrometry assumes importance
today as the dams and hydroelectric power plants are being
built in high altitude in Himalaya. A very important aspect
of glacial hydrometry is the sudden influx of water released
by glacial and sub glacial outbursts that can be chief
reason for flash floods.
d) Sediment Transfer : Glacier melt water carry
sediments partly in suspension and partly as bed load. One
of the prime problems posed to the hydropower plant is
damage to turbines by high inflow of silt/sediment from
glaciated region. Systematic study of sediment in glacial
streams gives valuable information on the effect of glacier
erosion, amount of sediment which might be expected in
natural or artificial reservoirs. For proper management of
hydropower plants and irrigation project in the basin, it is
highly desirable that a proper assessment is made to
quantify the glacial sediment transfer. Lack of
understanding of the sediment transfer from glaciated
regions and standard data has resulted in inadequate
incorporation of glacial sediment data in the planning and
operation of mountain water resource system.
e) Glacier Dynamics : Dynamics of glacier requires
the understanding of the flow field in a glacier. Mass
distribution, energy and temperature distribution,
entrainment of debris, character of moraine, crevasse
formation, etc can be explained by the study of glacier
dynamics and mechanics. Basal sliding is the major component
of flow in case of Himalayan glaciers. Unfortunately, no
theoretical expression is available to understand realistic
basal boundary glacier flow condition. The exercise of
understanding glacier dynamics of Himalayan glacier will
ultimately focus towards predicting future flow behavior
under given present state and future climate.
f) Glacier Geomorphology : Geomorphic features of
glaciated terrain are the direct record of glacial activity
in the past from few hundred years to a few million of
years. They provide geological record of fluctuation of the
snow line and glacier extent. Applied geomorphological
studies of glaciated region are essential for the planning
and development of glaciated regions of Himalaya.
g) Glacier Hazard : There are three processes that
cause extreme floods in glacier basins , a] sudden outbursts
of stored water from ice dammed lakes, b] extreme melt
rates, and c] storm precipitation. Outbursts can be several
times greater than the floods produced by even extreme
rainfall. Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) and jokulhaup
or glacier burst not only causes destruction of life and
property but also play an important role in generating the
non-monsoon floods and very high concentration of sediments
in rivers. Such events affect the capacity of dams and
disrupt the smooth functioning of power stations. Our
knowledge on GLOF is very limited and greater understanding
of these problems is necessary to predict the events and
reduce its effect.
