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Remote Sensing
Volume 18
Issue 1
10.3390/rs18010106
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Spatial Distribution and Characteristics of Debris-Covered Glaciers in Xinjiang Based on CGI-XJ2020

by
Zexin Zhan
1,
Zhongqin Li
1,2,3,4,*,
Jianxin Mu
2,3,
Feiteng Wang
1,2,3,
Qibin Liang
4,
Qian Wang
4,
Wei Chen
3,
Yefei Yang
1,2 and
Weibo Zhao
1,2
1
Xinjiang Tianshan Glacier National Field Observation and Research Station, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
2
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
3
College of Science, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832000, China
4
College of Geography and Environmental Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Remote Sens. 2026, 18(1), 106; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18010106 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 29 October 2025 / Revised: 21 November 2025 / Accepted: 26 December 2025 / Published: 27 December 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Remote Sensing for Glacier Preservation)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Debris cover is widespread on glaciers and strongly alters their surface albedo, energy balance, and ablation. Using the Chinese Glacier Inventory of Xinjiang 2020 (CGI-XJ2020), this study investigates the spatial distribution of debris-covered glaciers in Xinjiang. A total of 1612 debris-covered glaciers were identified, covering 10,922.06 km2, with 1163.32 km2 (~10.65%) mantled by debris. The estimated uncertainties are 266.27 km2 (2.44%) for debris-covered glaciers and 106.04 km2 (9.12%) for debris-covered portions. These glaciers are mainly distributed across the Tianshan Mountains, Pamir Plateau, Karakoram Mountains, and Kunlun Mountains, with debris concentrated near their largest glacierized centers in the first three ranges. Debris cover is primarily distributed below the median elevation of debris-covered glaciers in each mountain range and is predominantly concentrated on gentle slopes (0–15°), with a preference for north-facing aspects. Among drainage basins, the Tarim Interior Basin hosts the largest debris-covered area (1083.47 km2). Correlation analyses indicate that debris distribution is primarily controlled by glacier topography and debris-supply zone characteristics, with steep supply zones (slope > 45°) playing a key role in debris formation.
Keywords: Xinjiang; remote sensing; debris-covered glacier; debris cover; CGI-XJ2020 Xinjiang; remote sensing; debris-covered glacier; debris cover; CGI-XJ2020

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Zhan, Z.; Li, Z.; Mu, J.; Wang, F.; Liang, Q.; Wang, Q.; Chen, W.; Yang, Y.; Zhao, W. Spatial Distribution and Characteristics of Debris-Covered Glaciers in Xinjiang Based on CGI-XJ2020. Remote Sens. 2026, 18, 106. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18010106

AMA Style

Zhan Z, Li Z, Mu J, Wang F, Liang Q, Wang Q, Chen W, Yang Y, Zhao W. Spatial Distribution and Characteristics of Debris-Covered Glaciers in Xinjiang Based on CGI-XJ2020. Remote Sensing. 2026; 18(1):106. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18010106

Chicago/Turabian Style

Zhan, Zexin, Zhongqin Li, Jianxin Mu, Feiteng Wang, Qibin Liang, Qian Wang, Wei Chen, Yefei Yang, and Weibo Zhao. 2026. "Spatial Distribution and Characteristics of Debris-Covered Glaciers in Xinjiang Based on CGI-XJ2020" Remote Sensing 18, no. 1: 106. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18010106

APA Style

Zhan, Z., Li, Z., Mu, J., Wang, F., Liang, Q., Wang, Q., Chen, W., Yang, Y., & Zhao, W. (2026). Spatial Distribution and Characteristics of Debris-Covered Glaciers in Xinjiang Based on CGI-XJ2020. Remote Sensing, 18(1), 106. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18010106

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