The rate of change of several Himalayan glaciers and the glaciers of mountains of the southern Eastern Siberia was studied. A comparative quantitative condition analysis of existence and morphological parameters of these glaciers was conducted. Global warming has been producing changes in the dynamics of mountain glaciers over the last three decades. The mountain systems under consideration are all experiencing deglaciation caused by global warming having its origins in the 1970s-1980s.The niche glaciers and the flat-summit glaciers undergo the largest reduction in size, whereas the cirque glaciers are reduced the least. There are taking place morphological changes in glacial forms, with cliff glaciers changing to cirque-valley, cirque and niche glaciers. Overall, the process results in formation of a large number ofnival-glacial geosystems of transitional forms. Considered were climatic parameters that affect the dynamics of glaciers. Due to an increase in summer air temperature the melting intensity of glaciers also increases, then changes in precipitation amount do not establish any relation.There is not only a reduction, but also a stabilization of the state in some years over the past 50 years. The analysis was performed using GIS, glacier databases and Landsat, Aster, QuickBird and WorldView-1 satellite images.

Kitov Aleksandr Danilovich, Candidate of Sciences (Technical), Senior Research Scientist, V. B. Sochava Institute of Geography SB RAS, 1, Ulan-Batorskaya st., Irkutsk, 664033, Russian Federation, tel.: 8(3952)42-74-72, е-mail: kitov@irigs.irk.ru 

Plyusnin Victor Maximovich, Doctor of Sciences (Geography), Professor, Supervisor, V. B. Sochava Institute of Geography SB RAS, 1, Ulan-Batorskaya st., Irkutsk, 664033, Russian Federation, Irkutsk State University, 1, K. Marx st., Irkutsk, 664003, Russian Federation, tel.: 8(3952)52-10-71, е-mail: plyusnin@irigs.irk.ru

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