Evolution of supraglacial lakes on Sermeq Avannarleq glacier, Greenland using Google Earth Engine

• Published in: Journal of hydrology. Regional studies Vol. 44; p. 101246
• Main Authors: Zhu, Dongyu, Zhou, Chunxia, Zhu, Yikai, Peng, Boyang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.12.2022; Elsevier
• Subjects: Google Earth Engine; Greenland ice sheet; Internal year characteristics; Long-term change; Supraglacial lakes; Supraglacial lakes; Long-term change; Greenland ice sheet; Google Earth Engine; Internal year characteristics
• ISSN: 2214-5818; 2214-5818
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrh.2022.101246

This study investigates the Supraglacial lakes (SGLs) of Sermeq Avannarleq glacier. This glacier is in southwest Greenland, which has active glacial meltwater. Supraglacial lakes (SGLs) are an essential part of the hydrological systems of ice sheets, and their development is vital for determining the stability of ice sheets. This paper use 188 scenes of Landsat images during the melting season from 2000 to 2020 with Google Earth Engine to analyze the seasonal changes of the SGLs. 1) The area, volume, and depth of the SGLs, increased, indicating the increasing melt in this area from 2000 to 2020. 2) the SGLs development peaked at 190–200 days of the year. The melting area significantly expanded at the initial stage, while the melting depth change was more significant than the area at the later stage. 3) The elevation reached by the SGLs advanced approximately 300 m inland from 1400 m to 1700 m elevation. The convergence of small lakes (<0.25 km2), the reappearance of buried lakes, and the distribution of SGLs zone shift inland occurred during the SGLs development. 4) High recurrence lake area was mostly below 2 km2, and the recurrence rate of water were related to geographical factors. This study can provide technical support and a point of reference for monitoring the surface hydrological systems in Greenland ice sheet. •SGLs on Sermeq Avannarleq glacier from 2000 to 2020 were studied using Google Earth Engine.•The increase of SGLs volume has decelerated in recent years.•SGLs spread further inland, and overall relocation inland during one melting season.•The recurrence rate of SGLs is related to the geographical factors and lake area.