ИСТИНА

We present detailed reconstructions of variations of seven mountain glaciers, of the Northern Caucasus (Alibek, Bezengi, Mizhirgi, Kashkatash, Terskol, Ullukam, Tsey). These reconstructions with precise spatial reference were created using remote sensing data, maps, old photographs and historical descriptions and cover the period from the end of 19th to the beginning of 20th centuries. For each glacier we identified from 5 to 14 front positions and configurations and assessed the change of glacier length and area. Over the period from late 19th to early 21th centuries the glaciers have been retreating with mirror readvances or still stands in 1910s, 1920s and 1960s-1980s. The variations of Caucasus glaciers are similar to those of the European Alps.