In news– Recently, researchers led by the University of Maine found that the South Col Glacier(on Mount Everest) has lost more than 180ft (54m) of thickness in the last 25 years.
Key findings of the study-
- With estimated thinning rates of nearly 2 m per year even glaciers such as South Col Glacier, which is located at the highest point in the world, may vanish by mid-century.
- It was revealed by the multidisciplinary team of scientists from eight countries.
- Three of the co-authors of this study were from the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).
- Based in Kathmandu, Nepal, ICIMOD is a regional intergovernmental learning and knowledge sharing center for Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan.
About South Col Glacier-
- It is a sharp-edged col between Mount Everest and Lhotse.
- It lies on the main climbing route of Mt Everest on its southern ridges.
- At a mean elevation of 7,985 masl, this relatively small glacier is undoubtedly the highest glacier in the world.
- The surface of the glacier is mainly bare ice, apart from seasonal snow and a perennial snow apron along the sides of Mount Everest, which comprise the upper reaches of this southerly oriented glacier.
- It is typically swept by high winds, leaving it free of significant snow accumulation.
The South Col was first reached on 12 May 1952 by Aubert, Lambert, and Flory of Edouard Wyss-Dunant‘s Swiss Mount Everest Expedition that failed to reach the summit.
Source: Business Standards
