THE CONTEMPORARY EVOLUTION OF GLACIERS OF THE TESKEY ALA-TOO RIDGE OVER THE LAST 50 YEARS
The article presents the results of research into the dynamics of changes in the area of glaciation of the northern (Chon-Kyzyl-Suu river basin) and southern Teskey Ala-Too ridge over the past 50 years. The data on the rate of linear retreat of the reference glaciers of the research area for the last 50 years, obtained with the method of instrumental and remote sensing using satellite images, have been analyzed. It is shown that since 1965 the area of glaciers in the Chon-Kyzyl-Suu river basin has been continuously decreasing, and the retreat of glaciers has especially increased in the last 20 years. Significant retreat of glaciers and reduction of their area was revealed on the southern slope of the Teskey Ala-Too ridge. The data on the mass balance of the representative Kara-Batkak glacier for the last 60 years are presented as the most important indicator of the change in the glacier dynamics.