Datasets on multiparameter glacier change dynamics for the Jankar Chhu Watershed, Lahaul Himalaya, India

<p>Characterization of glacier changes in the surface area, terminus, equilibrium line altitude (ELA), elevation, and velocity was worked out for the Jankar Chhu Watershed (JCW) of Lahaul Himalaya using freely available satellite remote sensing data and the limited number of field observations. We studied changes using Corona (1971), Landsat (1993‒2017), Sentinel 2A (2016), the SRTM Digital Elevation Model (DEM; 2000), and the global TanDEM‒X DEM (2014). Our results showed that changes in glacier area (‒14.7 &plusmn; 4.3 km&sup2;), terminus (‒4.7 &plusmn; 0.4 m a&macr;&sup1;), and ELA (~ 20 m rise) between 1971 and 2016 are smaller than previously reported. Glacier lake area increased by ~0.3 km&sup2; during 1971‒2016. An intricate pattern of mass changes across the JCW was observed, with surface lowering on an average of ‒0.7 &plusmn; 0.4 m a&macr;&sup1; which equates to a geodetic mass balance of ‒0.6 &plusmn; 0.4 m w.e. a&macr;&sup1; during 2000‒14. The computed glacier surface velocities (1971‒2017) &nbsp;reveal nearly stagnant debris-covered ablation zone but the dynamically active main trunk. The present study provides valuable insights into the recent multiparameter glacier variations, which are of critical importance to assess the future glacier dynamics on a regional scale in areas like the present one.</p>