Glacier mapping: a review with special reference to the Indian Himalayas

Abstract

This paper deals with the development of glacier mapping and glacier fluctuations since the mid-nineteenth century, with special reference to the Indian Himalayas, and the contributions of the Survey of India and the Geological Survey of India. In addition, it presents a review of the limitations and challenges relating to: the mapping of clean-ice and debris-covered glaciers; the comparison of different data sets; and the measurement of glacier volume changes based on multitemporal digital elevation models. Possible solutions are discussed, and the emerging areas of glacier mapping research and applications for the Indian Himalayas are highlighted.