Project number: GNSF/ST08/05-453

Project title: Monitoring of Zofkhito and Chalaati glaciers against the backdrop of global warming

Funding organization: The Georgian National Science Foundation

Start and end dates: 01.03.2009-01.03.2012

Principal investigator: Ramin Gobejishvili

Key personnel: Ramin Gobejishvili, Nino Lomidze, Levan Tielidze, Aleksandre Javakhishvili

Project Summary: The maximum of the Little Ice Age in the Caucasus is known as the Fernau stage, which ended about two centuries ago. By the mentioned period, the glaciers reached the maximum limits of their development. Since then, the glaciers have been retreating, reducing their area. It should be noted that the retreat-degradation of glaciers was not a continuous process, but often there were short stops and advances, traces of which are preserved in the form of stadial moraines on some glaciers. Chalaati glacier is the evidence of this.

Achieved results: The complex glaciological survey was conducted on the mentioned glaciers. The processing and analysis of the obtained data showed a close connection between the dynamics of glaciers. This allows us to estimate the melting intensity and retreat rates of Georgia Valley type glaciers. The monograph "Monitoring glaciers against the background of global warming" was published. Monograph "Monitoring glaciers under the background of climate change", Universal, 2012, was published.