Analysis on factors of glacier velocity： A case study of the Qiyi Glacier, Qilian Mountains

摘要

Glacier shape factors(area,length,and thickness),climatic factors(annual temperature and precipitation),mass balance,and other influence factors,of the Qiyi glacier velocity and their intensity were analyzed with the application of the path analysis method during 1958-2007.Results indicate that glacier velocity was mainly influenced by glacier shape,followed by mass balance and climatic conditions.Among the influence factors,glacier area and thickness are most significant,and direct and indirect path coefficients are respectively 6.56,4.71,19.29 and 13.57.This research provides information for further understanding glacier velocity and its influencing factors.