Global Warming Making Himalayas More Dangerous

The Nepal Mountaineering Association is concerned that global warming is making the Himalaya increasingly unsafe both for local inhabitants and trekkers and mountaineers, reports the BBC.

In particular the retreat of glaciers, the resulting growth in glacial lakes and an increase in precipitation at times when it was previously rare have created new hazards for locals and visitors alike.

Melting? The Annapurna Sanctuary

The BBC quotes Ang Tsering Sherpa, the president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, as saying that "in seasons when we don't normally expect any snowfall, we see heavy snowfalls. And in seasons when we expect heavy snowfalls, we have no snowfalls at all. We are worried."

One danger that's often overlooked not just in the Himalaya, but also in the Alps and Andes, is the growth in glacial lakes caused by meltwater from receding glaciers. These are often held in place only by dams of morraine and other loose rubble and any sort of seismic disturbance can potentially cause devastating flooding of the valleys below. At a wider level, melting glaciers could have wider implications for river systems throughout Asia.

Somewhat depressing but interesting reading at news.bbc.co.uk