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2 clusters · 15 sources · 3 days · First seen · Last updated

Human impact on Khumbu Glacier melting

Overview

Research published in the journal ‘Regional Environmental Change’ indicates that human activity at Mount Everest’s Base Camp is accelerating the melting of the Khumbu Glacier through localized thermal impacts.

Scientists identified two primary contributors to this melting: the use of fossil fuels and the discharge of human waste. During the 2023 spring season, the consumption of LPG, kerosene, and gasoline for heating and cooking, combined with the thermal energy from human urine, is estimated to melt approximately 2,492 to 2,500 tonnes of ice and snow per season. Specifically, the daily production of over 6,000 liters of urine at the base camp is estimated to melt about 154 tonnes of ice annually due to the temperature difference between the waste and the glacier surface.

Satellite data from 1991 to 2023 shows surface temperatures at Everest Base Camp are rising by 0.28°C annually, a rate nearly double that of surrounding areas. While researchers noted that global climate change remains the primary driver of glacier retreat, these localized activities create a ‘thermal bomb’ effect on the high-altitude ecosystem.

Entities

Regional Environmental Change · Khumbu Glacier · Mount Everest · Nepal Survey Department · Khim Lal Gautam

Timeline

  1. 25 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 4 sources
    Mount Everest human activity contributes to glacier melting

    A study reveals that human activity at Mount Everest, specifically the heat from urine and fuel use, could melt up to 2,492 tonnes of ice and snow on the Khumbu Glacier during a climbing season.

  2. 27 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 11 sources
    Khumbu Glacier melting accelerated by human activity at Everest Base Camp

    A study in ‘Regional Environmental Change’ shows human activity at Everest Base Camp, including fuel use and urine discharge, melts nearly 2,500 tonnes of ice on the Khumbu Glacier each season.

Sources

downtoearth.org.in · exame.com · freerepublic.com · greenme.it · lenew.ma · magazin.aktualne.cz · newsable.asianetnews.com · okdiario.com · quintoelemento.org · timesnownews.com · tomshw.it · ultimosegundo.ig.com.br · vesti-online.com · webdunia.com · zurnal.pravda.sk