ANALYSIS OF GLACIER AND MORAINE LAKE AREA CHANGES IN THE TURGEN RIVER BASIN

This scientific paper examines the changes occurring in glacier zones and moraine lakes located in the Turgen River basin using remote sensing (RS) methods. Analysis of satellite imagery (Landsat, Sentinel-2, and PlanetScope) from 1999 to 2024 revealed a significant reduction in glacier cover as well as the dynamics of moraine lake formation. Empirical data show that the glacier area in the Turgen basin has decreased by 50.3 %, from 34.8 km² in 1955 to 17.3 km² in 2024. In addition, a noticeable increase in the area of moraine lakes has been observed, which contributes to a heightened risk of glacier lake outburst floods (GLOFs). To assess the impact of climatic variables, data from the Assy meteorological station were used, showing a trend of increasing average annual temperature combined with a decrease in precipitation. The results of this study highlight the need for continuous monitoring of glaciers and moraine lakes, as well as the development of strategies aimed at reducing the risks associated with their transformation.