Geospatial Analysis of Glacial Lake Area and Volume Changes in the Indian Himalayas

Abstract. As a result of continuous climate change, the glacial landscape of the Indian Himalayan region is changing quickly, causing glacial lakes to form and grow. This study uses geospatial techniques to map and analyze changes in the area and volume of glacial lakes throughout the Indian Himalayas between 2008 and 2017. Lake boundaries and volumetric changes over time were estimated using digital elevation models (DEMs) and multitemporal satellite imagery.

To automate the extraction of glacial lake extents, Shapefile data was uploaded and processed using Google Earth Engine (GEE) and Python. While volumetric estimates were obtained using elevation differentials and empirical volume–area relationships, area change detection was carried out for individual lakes. The findings indicate that the number and overall surface area of glacial lakes have significantly increased, with the highest growth rates occurring in the eastern Himalayan region.

The geospatial method helps to comprehend the wider effects of climate change on the high-altitude hydrology of the Indian Himalayas and offers a reliable framework for tracking glacial lake dynamics.