Calving Mechanisms of Lake-Terminating Glaciers in the Southeastern Tibetan Plateau

Abstract

Understanding the interactions between glaciers and lakes is crucial for predicting water availability and mitigating associated hazards. However, the mechanisms driving the dynamics of high-altitude glacier-lake systems remain underexplored. This study investigates the calving processes of lake-terminating glaciers in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau, using a combination of remote sensing data and field observations. We examined calving events at Jiongpu Co, Yanong Co, and Guangxie Co from 2000 to 2023, including detailed measurements of lake temperature, subglacial morphology, and lake bathymetry. Our results indicate that calving plays a primary role in accelerating lake expansion and glacier retreat. The timing and extent of calving are influenced by factors such as lake depth, water temperature, and glacier-lake geometry. In shallow lakes like Guangxie Co, where the glacier is grounded, calving is closely linked to water depth. However, in deeper lakes like Yanong Co, where the glacier’s terminus is floating, calving frequency and magnitude are primarily controlled by buoyancy-driven stress, water temperature, and geometric factors. Glacier-lake geometry also plays a critical role in calving dynamics. In deeper lake basins with reverse bed slopes, such as at Jiongpu Co, calving is more pronounced. In contrast, at Guangxie Co, where the bed is shallow and sediment-supported, calving is suppressed. Overall, the interaction of environmental factors shaping calving dynamics and glacier-lake evolution is complex and variable across time and space. We recommend incorporating glacier-lake geometry and calving mechanisms into predictive models to improve hazard assessments and support more effective water resource management for downstream communities.

Keywords

glacier calving / lake-glacier interaction / multi-beam bathymetry / Tibetan Plateau / glacial lake / water resources / glacier geology

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