Two-Thirds of Iconic Mount Everest Glacier Would Disappear by 2100 with High Emissions

AGU Journals: Earth’s Future, 26 April 2024

The iconic East Rongbuk Glacier on Mount Everest’s north slope might lose two-thirds of its ice volume by the end of the century under high emissions, but global temperatures remaining below 1.5°C could allow more than half of its ice to survive past 2100. Glaciers in the Rongbuk valley feed into major rivers providing water supplies for mountain communities across China and India. Researchers forecast that the glacier will continually lose ice this century, with annual meltwater peaking around 2060 if today’s emissions continue unabated. This frozen region holds great cultural significance and physical importance as it lies along the route ascending to higher Everest base camps, as well as the neighboring Rongbuk Monastery.

Full paper: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2024EF004545
Plain-language briefing by co-author Dr. William Colgan: https://williamcolgan.net/blog/?p=743

By Emily Jacobson, Science Writing Intern; Amy Imdieke, Global Outreach Director; and Pam Pearson, Director of ICCI.
Published May. 18, 2024      Updated May. 18, 2024 10:03 am