Recent changes of two selected glaciers in Hami Prefecture of eastern Xinjiang and their impact on water resources

It is important to understand and quantify glacier changes and their impact on water resources in Hami Prefecture, an extremely arid region in the eastern Xinjiang of northwestern China. Yushugou Glacier No. 6 and Miaoergou Ice Cap in Hami Prefecture were selected in this study. Results showed that the thickness of Yushugou Glacier No. 6 decreased by 20 m with a rate of 0.51 m y−1 from 1972 to 2011 and the terminus retreated by 254 m, or 6.5 m y−1 for the same period. The thickness along the main axis of Miaoergou Ice Cap decreased 0–20 m during 1981–2007 and the terminus retreat rate was less than 3.0 m y−1 in 2013. The melting rate of Miaoergou Ice Cap was smaller than Yushugou Glacier No. 6, which was directly related to the differences of glacier type and elevation. The impact of glacier changes on water resources would be different in the various drainage basins of Hami Prefecture, depending on the proportion of glacier coverage.