Glacier mass change on the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia, from 2000 to 2016

On the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian Far East, 405 glaciers with an estimated total mass of 49 Gt were reported in the 1970s. These have been retreating at an accelerated rate since the start of the 21st century. Because glacier studies in this region are scarce, ice loss and its influence on sea level rise and regional environments is poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed satellite data to quantify glacier mass change from 2000 to 2016 in six major glacier-covered regions on the peninsula. The mean rate of the glacier mass change over the study period was -0.46 +/- 0.01 m w.e. a(-1) (total mass change was -4.9 +/- 0.1 Gt, -304.2 +/- 9.1 Mt a(-1)), which is slightly lower than other regions in mid-latitude and subarctic zones. The mass loss accelerated from >-0.33 +/- 0.02 m w.e. a(-1) in the period 2000-2006/2010 to <-1.65 +/- 0.12 m w.e. a(-1) in 2006/2010-2015/16. The increase in mass loss is attributed to a rise in average decadal summer temperatures observed in the region (+0.68 degrees C from 1987-99 to 2000-13). Moreover, a recent trend in Pacific decadal oscillation suggests future acceleration of mass loss due to a decline in winter precipitation.

Automated summary

A study on the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian Far East reveals that glaciers have been retreating at an accelerated rate since the start of the 21st century. The analysis of satellite data shows that the average annual glacier mass change in the study period was -0.46 meters, with an acceleration in mass loss over time. This change is attributed to the rise in summer temperatures and a decline in winter precipitation in the region.