Everest glaciers may retreat 70% by 2100
Over 70 per cent of glacier volume in the Everest region could be lost by 2100 if current trends of greenhouse gases emission continue, a new paper published today in The Cryosphere, an open access journal of the European Geosciences Union (EGU) warns. This could have very damaging impact on agriculture and water availability in the Gangetic Plains, home to millions of Indians.
The glacier model used by the study shows that glacier volume could be reduced between 70% and 99% by 2100. This range is being given because the final outcome will depend on how much greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, and on how this will affect temperature, snowfall and rainfall in the area. Glaciers in High Mountain Asia, a region that includes the Himalayas, contain the largest volume of ice outside the polar regions.
Changes in glacier volume can impact the availability of water, with consequences for agriculture and hydropower generation. While increased glacier melt initially increases water flows, ongoing retreat leads to reduced meltwater from the glaciers during the warmer months, with greatest impact for the local populations before the monsoon when rainfall is scarce.
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