The evolution of glaciers on the northern slopes of the Caucasus At the end of the XX century

The Caucasus is one of the manifestations region of active glacial processes. Glaciers cover approximately 1600 km2 Here. - since 1970 and their number reaches about 2000. The region in 1970 - since receded further advance their agenda the issue of a more detailed study of this process, as the glaciers of the Caucasus significantly influence the water balance of the Caucasus also plays a role in the regulation of Caspian Sea level. Global temperature change analysis shows that the warming of the Earth has increased in all regions in 1970 - ies . The rate of temperature increase About twice in the last period exceeded growth average speed of the last 100 years. This has led to interest in the problem of degradation of glaciers as the glaciers play an important role in the regulation of the water balance of individual regions and their evolution is often also associated with a range of natural hazards (failure of glaciers , river damming , devastating floods). It is evident that the changes undergone by the light of the evolution of the glaciers of the Caucasus . Thus, for example , feeding the main rivers of glacial Georgia (Kodori, Enguri, Rioni , Aragvi, Tergi, opposite Alazani.) basins in the years 1882-1965. Periods of glaciers in the area was reduced by an average of 26.5 % - up. During this time the sum of glaciers which are sources of rivers Tergi, Gizeldoni, Piagdoni has increased 97 % - up, and the area was reduced by 31 % - by the evidence of fragmentation and degradation of glaciers.