Modern Trends of Kuznetsk Alatau Minor Glaciation Evolution in the Example of the Iyussko-Tersinskaya Glaciers Group

Abstract

Small glaciers and perennial snowfields are an important component of the landscapes of the Kuznetsk Alatau Mountains and have a huge impact on the natural features of the territory. Glaciation here is represented by small forms located at low absolute heights (significantly below the calculated climatic snow limit). In this regard, the glaciers of the Kuznetsk Alatau have a quick response to climate change. Among the numerous groups of glaciers here, one of the most studied is the Iyussko-Tersinskaya group. This group of glaciers is located in the region of the axial watershed of the Kuznetsk Alatau Mountains, where an abnormally large amount of precipitation falls for Western Siberia, up to 3000–3500 mm in the water layer. The glaciers of the Iyussko-Tersinskaya group were studied in different years by P.S. Shpin, N.V. Kovalenko, A.A. Syubaev, M.L. Makhrova and V.M. Ermakov, as well as the authors of this article. This article presents the results of glacial studies of the Iyussko-Tersinskaya group obtained by the authors in 2005, 2008, 2011 and 2021, summarizes the available literature data on measuring the size of the four largest glaciers of the group since the 80s of the XX century, analyzes data on changes in the ablation rate of the Cherno-Iyussky glacier (No. 83), leads data on changes in snow accumulation in the Kuznetsk Alatau mountains (according to snow measurements in 2010–2021). The results show that the large glaciers of the Iyussko-Tersinskaya group continue to shrink. The rate of decline in 2011–2021 slowed down compared to the second half of the 20th century and the first decade of the 21st century. The slowdown in the reduction of glaciers is directly related to the increase in precipitation in the Kuznetsk Alatau Mountains. The observation of ongoing changes in the morphometry of glaciers was first noted by M.L. Makhrova and V.M. Ermakov is confirmed.