Examining Glacier Changes Since 1990 and Predicting Future Changes in the Turpan–Hami Area, Eastern Tianshan Mountains (China), Until the End of the 21st Century

Yuqian Chen, Baozhong He (), Xing Jiang, Gulinigaer Yisilayili and Zhihao Zhang
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Yuqian Chen: School of Geography and Remote Sensing Science, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China
Baozhong He: School of Geography and Remote Sensing Science, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China
Xing Jiang: School of Geography and Remote Sensing Science, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China
Gulinigaer Yisilayili: School of Geography and Remote Sensing Science, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China
Zhihao Zhang: School of Geography and Remote Sensing Science, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 11, 1-35

Abstract: Glaciers, often regarded as “frozen reservoirs”, play a crucial role in replenishing numerous rivers in arid regions, contributing to ecological balance and managing river flow. Recently, the rapid shrinkage of the glaciers in the East Tianshan Mountains has affected the water quantity in the Karez system. However, studies on glacier changes in this region are limited, and recent data are scarce. This study utilizes annual Landsat composite images from 1990 to 2022 obtained via the Google Earth Engine (GEE). It utilizes a ratio threshold approach in conjunction with visual analysis to gather the glacier dataset specific to the Turpan–Hami region. The Open Global Glacier Model (OGGM) is used to model the flowlines and mass balance of around 300 glaciers. The study analyzes the glacier change trends, distribution characteristics, and responses to climate factors in the Turpan–Hami region over the past 30 years. Additionally, future glacier changes through the end of the century are projected using CMIP6 climate data. The findings indicate that the following: (1) From 1990 to 2022, glaciers in the research area underwent considerable retreat. The total glacier area decreased from 204.04 ± 0.887 km 2 to 133.52 ± 0.742 km 2 , a reduction of 70.52 km 2 , representing a retreat rate of 34.56%. The number of glaciers also decreased from 304 in 1990 to 236 in 2022. The glacier length decreased by an average of 7.54 m·a −1 , with the average mass balance at −0.34 m w.e.·a −1 , indicating a long-term loss of glacier mass. (2) Future projections to 2100 indicate that under three climate scenarios, the area covered by glaciers could diminish by 89%, or 99%, or even vanish entirely. In the SSP585 scenario, glaciers are projected to nearly disappear by 2057. (3) Rising temperatures and solar radiation are the primary factors driving glacier retreat in the Turpan–Hami area. Especially under high emission scenarios, climate warming will accelerate the glacier retreat process.

Keywords: glacier change; climate change; OGGM; glacier future predictions; GCM (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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