Strong acceleration of glacier area loss in the Greater Caucasus between 2000 and 2020

Abstract. An updated glacier inventory is important for understanding behaviour given the accelerating retreat observed around world. Here, we present data from a new two points in time (2000, 2020) covering entire Greater Caucasus (Georgia, Russia, and Azerbaijan). Satellite imagery (Landsat, Sentinel, SPOT) was used to conduct remote-sensing survey of change. The 30 m resolution Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission Reflection Radiometer Global Digital Elevation Model (ASTER GDEM; 17 November 2011) determine aspect, slope, elevations, all glaciers. Glacier margins were mapped manually reveal that 2000 mountain range contained 2186 glaciers with total area 1381.5 ± 58.2 km2. By 2020, had decreased 1060.9 33.6 km2 reduction 23.2 3.8 % (320.6 45.9 km2) or −1.16 yr−1 over last 20 years Caucasus. Of 2223 glaciers, 14 have an > 10 km2, resulting 221.9 20.9 2020. Bezengi 39.4 0.9 largest 2020 database. Glaciers between 1.0 5.0 accounted 478.1 34.6 2000, while they 354.0 33.4 rates shrinkage mean elevation vary northern southern western, central, eastern Area significantly stronger (−1.82 yr−1), where most are very small. increased summer temperatures winter precipitation along Saharan dust deposition might be responsible predominantly negative mass balances Djankuat Garabashi long-term measurements. Both inventories available Land Ice Measurements Space (GLIMS) database can future studies.