A satellite-based comprehensive observation of glaciological characteristics of Shunkalpa (Ralam) Glacier, Central Himalaya, India

Shunkalpa Glacier, union of two glaciers namely Kalabaland (10 km long) and Yankchar glaciers (9 km long), is one of the largest glaciers in the Central Indian Himalaya with snout records available since 1886. We aimed to provide a comprehensive status of the glaciological characteristics of the glacier from satellite-based observations by providing the status of the snout fluctuation, surface velocity map, and spatial ice thickness of the glacier. The snout of the Shunkalpa Glacier was receding with a rate of 16 m/yr from 1990 to 2016. The satellite-derived surface velocity and ice thickness of the glacier have spatial variations owing to different topographical characteristics of the glacier. The mean velocity of the Shunkalpa Glacier was 22 m/yr and the mean ice thickness was 109 m. In terms of velocity, the Kalabaland Glacier was more dynamic than the Yankchar Glacier.