Recession of the ice cap on Mount Ağrı (Ararat), Turkey, from 1976 to 2011 and its climatic significance
Abstract
Glacier recession reports in response to sustained climatic warming are widespread. However, little information exists on glacier behaviors from the Middle East where a few ice bodies still exist. Here, an ice cap retreat from Mount Ağrı (also known as Ararat, 39.70°N, 44.30°E, 5137 m), Turkey, based on satellite measurements since 1976 were given. The results show that the ice cap has lost 29% of its surface area at a rate of -0.07 km2 a-1. The long-term atmospheric warming trend observed at the nearby meteorological stations is consistent with this shrinking trend.
- Publication:
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Journal of Asian Earth Sciences
- Pub Date:
- March 2012
- DOI:
- 10.1016/j.jseaes.2011.12.009
- Bibcode:
- 2012JAESc..46..190S