Changes of representative glaciers in Xinjiang Hami and their impact to water resources

Water scarcity is a big problem in Hami, Xinjiang and glaciers are the major water supply. In order to make reasonable evaluation and forecast of glaciers and water resources in Hami, taking Yushugou Glacier No. 6 and Miaoergou ice cap as representative, the study comprehensively analyzed the recent glacier changes in Hami and their impact on water resources under the background of climate warming based on in-situ observation and previous studies. Results indicated that the thickness of Yushugou Glacier No.6 decreased by 20 m, or 0.51 m/a with the terminus retreat of 254 m, or 6.5 m/a during the period 1972-2011. Due to serious ablation, the surface meltwater runoff of Yushugou Glacier No. 6 was obvious and a moraine lake was formed at the terminus. By comparison, the melting rate of Miaoergou ice cap was smaller than Yushugou Glacier No. 6, which was directly related to the glacier types and the high altitude of Miaoergou ice cap with low sensitivity to climate warming. The comprehensive analysis found that the difference of recent runoff changes in various rivers was directly caused by whether there was any glacier coverage and its ratio in the drainage basins of Hami.