The State and Fate of Himalayan Glaciers

Bolch, T and Kulkarni, A and Kaab, A and Huggel, C. and Paul, F and Cogley, JG and Frey, H and Kargel, JS and Fujita, K and Scheel, M and Bajracharya, S and Stoffel, M (2012) The State and Fate of Himalayan Glaciers. In: Science, 336 (6079). pp. 310-314.

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Abstract

Himalayan glaciers are a focus of public and scientific debate. Prevailing uncertainties are of major concern because some projections of their future have serious implications for water resources. Most Himalayan glaciers are losing mass at rates similar to glaciers elsewhere, except for emerging indications of stability or mass gain in the Karakoram. A poor understanding of the processes affecting them, combined with the diversity of climatic conditions and the extremes of topographical relief within the region, makes projections speculative. Nevertheless, it is unlikely that dramatic changes in total runoff will occur soon, although continuing shrinkage outside the Karakoram will increase the seasonality of runoff, affect irrigation and hydropower, and alter hazards.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Science
Publisher:	American Association for the Advancement of Science
Additional Information:	Copyright of this article is belongs to American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Keywords:	DEBRIS-COVERED GLACIERS;UPPER INDUS BASIN;NEPAL HIMALAYA; MASS-BALANCE;KARAKORAM HIMALAYA;WESTERN HIMALAYA;CLIMATE-CHANGE;SUPRAGLACIAL LAKES;WATER AVAILABILITY;INDIA
Department/Centre:	Division of Mechanical Sciences > Divecha Centre for Climate Change
Date Deposited:	22 Aug 2012 04:51
Last Modified:	22 Aug 2012 04:51
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/44453

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