A new glacier inventory of Iran

A new glacier inventory of Iran, compiled according to GLIMS guidelines through the use of photogrammetry and remote sensing supported by fieldwork, provides the first comprehensive study of its mountain glaciers. The glaciers are found in five main areas: two in the higher elevations of the Alborz mountain range (Damavand and Takhte–Soleiman regions), two on the Zardkuh and Oshtorankuh mountain chain in the Zagros mountain range and one in the Sabalan Mountains in northwest Iran. Several important glacier attributes, including minimum and maximum height of ice, area and maximum length and width, together with glacier extent, were successfully extracted using aerial and satellite imagery. Thereafter a comprehensive glacier database was established in a GIS environment.