Articles | Volume 30, issue 21
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-6983-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-6983-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Extreme glacier melt on the Central Tibetan Plateau during the summer of 2022: detection and mechanisms
College of Surveying and Geo-Informatics, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
Center for Spatial Information Science and Sustainable Development, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
Center for the Pan-Third Pole Environment, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
Ngari Station for Desert Environment Observation and Research, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xizang 859700, China
College of Surveying and Geo-Informatics, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
Center for Spatial Information Science and Sustainable Development, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
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Short summary
Using on-site measurements and a new detection method, we found the 2022 summer heatwave caused unprecedented glacier melting. Melt was higher than in the previous two summers. This extreme event, driven by persistent heat and unusual weather patterns, was intensified by enhanced sensible heat fluxes, increased net longwave radiation, and increased net shortwave radiation associated with reduced albedo.
Using on-site measurements and a new detection method, we found the 2022 summer heatwave caused...
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