Identification of Icings Spreading Patterns in Selenga Middle Mountains by Methods of Geoinformation Analysis

The purpose of this work is to determine the main regularities of icing distribution in the Selenga middle mountains. The objectives of the study included mapping of icings using Landsat imagery and geoinformation analysis of their spatial differentiation. The geoinformation analysis of the distribution of icings in the Selenga mid-mountain depending on various environmental factors (tectonics, relief, permafrost, meteorological indicators) revealed the main regularities of their formation. The relation of the glaciers to different categories according to the main classification features was determined. Icings of the Selenga mid-mountain are divided into 4 size classes (medium, large, very large and giant), 2 main genetic types are identified according to the prevailing sources of supply (groundwater and spring icings), the number of slope and valley icings is determined. The role of relief and snow cover influence on the distribution of icings in the territory was assessed. It has been established that in the current climatic conditions in the Selenga middle mountains 7.7 thousand icings are formed, most of which (70%) belong to groundwater icings. The maximum number of glaciers is observed in areas with a transitional type of permafrost distribution, while valley glaciers prevail in mountainous areas at altitudes from 850 to 1000 m. They are formed along watercourses in intermountain hollows and in the spurs of mountain ranges.