Chinese researchers see climate change link to glacial collapse, warn of rising disaster risks
Chinese researchers have linked global warming to the rapid retreat of glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau, warning of increased risks of glacial lake outbursts and landslides. The study notes a significant reduction in glacier area over the past 60 years.
Why it matters
This research underscores the accelerating impact of climate change on high-altitude ecosystems and the resulting disaster risks for surrounding populations.
Chinese experts have pointed to a clear link between r ising temperatures, which have led to significant glacial retreat on the Tibetan Plateau, and the deadly August 26 glacial collapse on the Nepal-China border , warning of growing risks from more glacial flood outbursts, with more than 14,000 glacial lakes mapped on the plateau.
According to the most recent inventory of glaciers measured by Chinese researchers on the Tibetan Plateau, the plateau’s glacier area had fallen to 39,000 square kilometres, down from 44,000 square kilometres and 51,000 square kilometres in two previous studies conducted over a period of six decades.
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