Scientists found a seasonal advancement in 220 surge-type glaciers

Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG), Dehradun Scientists have found a seasonal advancement in 220 surge-type glaciers in the Karakoram Range of Ladakh through a detailed assessment of some major surging glaciers of the Karakoram range using satellite images and thermal data.

Surging or Surge-type glaciers are a certain type of glaciers that have shown advancement in volume and length over a period of time.

The study will help to understand the diversity of glacial behaviour and help make accurate assessments of individual glacier mass balances for disaster planning and management.

The behaviour of Surging glaciers representing 40% of the total glaciated area of the Karakoram goes against the normal trend of considerable reduction in volume and length of most glaciers in the Himalaya in recent decades.

The scientist inferred that surge during winter is more hydrologically controlled due to staggered subglacial flow and low amount of meltwater. The surging terminates in summer due to channelized flow of meltwater and considerable heterogeneity in movement is also observed during summer and springtimes.