The "Karakoram Anomaly" refers to a unique phenomenon wherein glaciers in the Karakoram region have exhibited remarkable stability or slight mass gains, contrasting the global trend of extensive glacier retreat. This study investigates glacier mass changes across the Karakoram and adjacent regions, including the Pamir and Western Kunlun ranges, from 2000 to 2023. By integrating the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Digital Elevation Model (DEM), satellite altimetry, and satellite gravity data, we quantified glacier mass change and evaluated the impact of meteorological factors on glacier mass balance. The results demonstrate that the Pamir-Karakoram-Western Kunlun (PKL) region experienced an overall glacier mass loss of −0.72 ± 0.21 Gt/a from 2003 to 2023, primarily driven by substantial losses in the Pamir region (−0.90 ± 0.09 Gt/a). Although glaciers in the Karakoram have remained near equilibrium (0.06 ± 0.08 Gt/a) over the past two decades, they have recently exhibited a notable mass deficit of −2.23 ± 1.52 Gt/a between 2018 and 2023. In contrast, glaciers in the Western Kunlun region have shown a consistent yet modest increase (0.19 ± 0.06 Gt/a) since the early 2000s. These findings indicate a west-to-east migration of the "Karakoram Anomaly". Additionally, the PKL region experienced significant warming (0.23 ± 0.06 ℃/decade), coupled with a slight increase in precipitation (0.81 ± 0.85 mm/a), with temperature emerging as the predominant factor influencing glacier mass dynamics. This research provides critical insights into the contemporary state of the Karakoram anomaly and underscores the complex interplay between climatic factors shaping this phenomenon.
Zhou et al. (Tue,) studied this question.