This website provides information about the impacts of climate change on the water resources in the high mountains of Asia. It is developed in the context of the research project Quantifying the Water Tower of the Third Pole coordinated by Walter Immerzeel at the department of physical geography of Utrecht University that runs from 2012-2015. We will post information on our field expeditions, scientific output, partner projects, work from other scientists and other relevant information that may interest the scientific community and a broad public.
New paper published in Climatic Change
A new article titled “Hydrological response to climate change in a glacierized catchment in the Himalayas” has now been published in Climatic Change: Volume 110, Issue 3 (2012), Page 721-736.
Abstract
The analysis of climate change impact on the hydrology of high altitude glacierized catchments in the Himalayas is complex due to the high variability in climate, lack of data, large uncertainties in climate change projection and uncertainty about the response of glaciers. Therefore a high resolution combined cryospheric hydrological model was developed and calibrated that explicitly simulates glacier evolution and all major hydrological processes. The model was used to assess the future development of the glaciers and the runoff using an ensemble of downscaled climate model data in the Langtang catchment in Nepal. The analysis shows that both temperature and precipitation are projected to increase which results in a steady decline of the glacier area. The river flow is projected to increase significantly due to the increased precipitation and ice melt and the transition towards a rain river. Rain runoff and base flow will increase at the expense of glacier runoff. However, as the melt water peak coincides with the monsoon peak, no shifts in the hydrograph are expected.
Webcam of Mt Everest
The Ev-K2-CNR committee provides a real-time view on the summit of Mt. Everest from the Pyramid research station. The Pyramid is a unique high altitude research station near the basecamp of Mt. Everest. Real-time meteorological data of Kala Patar and the south col of Mt. Everest are also provided.
New climate change report Hindu-Kush Himalayas
The Hindu Kush-Himalayan (HKH) region is one of the most ecologically sensitive and fragile areas in the world. In all likelihood, the effects of climate change will become evident here first and with the greatest intensity. This report synthesises the present knowledge about the consequences that climate change could have for the region. This thorough review of the existing literature, based on over 360 references, was prepared in consultation with more than 80 leading experts from the region and abroad. Continue reading
ICIMOD releases new glacier report
The cryosphere plays a significant role in the regional climatic system and is a sensitive indicator of global climate change, but to date there has been a marked lack of consistent, long-term information on glaciers and snow cover in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan (HKH) region to support assessments and analysis. This publication offers the first consistent and comprehensive account of the glacier coverage of the entire HKH region, based on a standardised analysis of satellite images (Landsat ETM+) from around the year 2005, in combination with Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) digital elevation models and the use of a consistent semi-automated methodology. The data are analysed for the region’s ten major river basins and their sub-basins. Continue reading
Everest from above
This is just for fun, but do have a look at the Khumbu from above
GlacierWorks
Have a look at the glacierworks.org website of David Breashears showing visual evidence of climate change. The GigaPixel panoramas are very impressive and undeniable visual evidence of change.