Chinese Study Show Rapid Recent Rise In Summer Melt Rate Of Everest's Snows

[hatrack]

BEIJING: The snow on the Mount Everest, at the heart of Himalayas, is melting fast due to global warming which in turn is posing a threat to the Asian rivers, including those in India, a new study carried out by Chinese, French and American researchers said.

Chinese scientists managed to drill three ice cores into the snow at the summit of the East Rongbuk glacier covering the northern collar of Mount Everest, with an altitude of 6,518 meters in 2000 and 2002. The analysis of these ice cores led to the discovery of the existence of a new climatic indicator, the content of gas in the ice, and therefore it was possible to retrace the evolution of summer temperatures at the site with such a high altitude.

By accurately measuring the gas content of the two of the three cores, the researchers learnt about its evolution going back 2,000 years and they were able to observe a very profound reduction in the amount of gas trapped in the 20th century snow compared with the oldest snow at the site. These results noted a recent escalation in the melting of snow during summer on the surface of the glacier.

This research clearly indicates that climatic warming has also affected the permanent snow on the roof of the world, the researchers said.

EDIT

http://dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1081673

[Nihil]

1. Oops. China *and* India geting thirsty at the same time ...? (n/t)

:scared:

[kestrel91316]

2. Here's one up side to GW: with the Khumbu Icefall COMPLETELY GONE,

the climb up Everest will be a hell of a lot less dangerous.