Author(s): Ayurzana Badarch; Gankhulug Tsegmid; Naidandorj Radnaa; Ulziisaikhan Purevsuren; Renchinvanjil Yadam; Galbadrakh Davaa; Ider Gombojav
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Lake Khuvsgul; Ice phenology; Lake freeze-up; Lake break-up; Ice cracks
Abstract: The paper explores the importance of studying long-term ice cover and ice phenology in Lake Khuvsgul in order to improve understanding of winter conditions and ensure safe winter transportation on ice. Sentinel-2 L2A satellite images covering from 2016 to 2024 is utilized to study ice phenology and unique characteristics of ice formation and break-up as well as ice crack during stable ice-on period of Lake Khuvsgul. The outflow river freezes first about mid of November, causing an ice cover to extend from the lake's shallow east and north edges to its central west edge, deepest part, where break-up starts next year and quickly breaks the entire ice cover to the east side. The findings show that on the stable ice-on dates, observable ice cracks are consistently produced each year. The analysis indicates that lake water dynamics, which is determined by the bathymetric parameters of the lake, and freeze-up processes under wind influence are the characteristics of ice ridges and cracks. The primary source of cracks during the stable ice-on season is variations in water level, which are controlled by groundwater movement into the lake. The study found that when the ice-on period lengthens due to shifts in the ice phenology. Occurrence of cracks during ice-on period and ice phenological shifts can pose challenges for winter transportation on the lake.
Year: 2024