Detecting and assessment of snow lines change with climate warming based on MODIS data in the Nianqingtanglha of Tibet plateau

The shift of snow lines and their responding to climate warming change were investigated for the studying area of Nianqingtanglha mountainous in the Tibet plateau based on the yearly minimum snow cover from 2000 to 2008 using MODIS and digital elevation data. The results indicated that the elevations of snow lines were shifting toward higher from 2000 to 2008 following to the ablation of snow cover because of the affects of inclining temperature. From investigating results, it was assessed that the elevation of snow line for yearly minimum snow cover will generally uplift 57m per year if the yearly mean temperature increase one centigrade in the Nianqingtanglha mountainous of Tibet plateau.