Glacial lake survey conducted
An international scientists’ survey was done on 11 potentially dangerous glacial lakes in the remote Hongu valley, Makalu-Barun National Park, from Oct. 12 to Nov. 15 to scientifically assess the condition of the lakes in question.
The expedition was funded by the Waitt Grants Programme of the National Geographic Society with co-financing and logistical support provided by Hokkaido University, International Centre for Integrated Mountain development (ICIMOD), and The Mountain Institute (TMI). Expedition members included mountain geographer Dr. Alton Byers of TMI, glacial lake specialist Dr. Teiji Watanabe, Dr. Takanobu Sawagaki of Hokkaido University, and Nepali Ph.D. student Damodar Lamsal.
The team spent 33 days in the valley assessing the development history of each lake, their physical characteristics, water volumes, growth rates, danger of catastrophic outburst and mitigation methods.
Following field work in the Hongu valley, the team proceeded north to the Mt. Everest region in mid-November over the Amphy Laptsa pass (5,800 m) to monitor the rapidly-melting Imja glacier and lake.
The results from the study will be presented at a climate change workshop in 2010 in Nepal, which will be jointly organised by TMI, US Agency for International Development, National Science Foundation and ICIMOD.
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