Hanging Glaciers in the Himalayas: A New Dimension of Disaster Risk
A 2026 study published in Nature identified 219 hanging glaciers in the Alaknanda basin of the Garhwal Himalayas, highlighting an emerging cryospheric hazard. Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns and expanding infrastructure are increasing the Himalayan region’s vulnerability to glacier collapse, avalanches, Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), landslides and flash floods.
- Hanging glaciers are unstable masses of ice suspended on steep mountain slopes. Their sudden detachment can generate high-speed ice-rock avalanches capable of travelling rapidly through valleys and damaging settlements and infrastructure.
How Do Hanging Glaciers Become Unstable?
- Rising Temperatures: Accelerated melting can weaken and destabilise ice masses.
- Reduced Snow Cover: Lower snow ....
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