2004 •
Quaternary glaciation in the Nepal Himalaya
Authors:
Monique Fort
Abstract:
Publisher Summary This chapter reviews that the knowledge of the extent of quaternary glaciers in the Himalayan mountains of Nepal, based on the accumulated evidence, still remains very fragmentary. However, Nepal occupies a significant central position in the Himalayan mountain chain, with 8 peaks over 8000 m high and with extensive regions over 6500 m a.s.1. Access to the country is quite variable. It discusses that several areas of the highest massifs provides the highest mountain climbing and walking stations in the world and are well serve (...)
Publisher Summary This chapter reviews that the knowledge of the extent of quaternary glaciers in the Himalayan mountains of Nepal, based on the accumulated evidence, still remains very fragmentary. However, Nepal occupies a significant central position in the Himalayan mountain chain, with 8 peaks over 8000 m high and with extensive regions over 6500 m a.s.1. Access to the country is quite variable. It discusses that several areas of the highest massifs provides the highest mountain climbing and walking stations in the world and are well served by a dense network of footpaths and resting places. However, to gain access to some valleys north of the high chain requires several days walk and special expensive permits to enter. This explains the reason certain regions are effectively terra incognita from the perspective of quaternary glaciations. The chapter also provides an overview on a model that shows the different possible glaciation scenarios that are controlled by the topography and the position of study sites in the Himalaya chain. It also includes the limits used for the reconstruction of past glaciations. It discusses that isolated massifs, separated from the highest massifs and the processes imposed by the proximity to steep rock walls were occupied through the quaternary by small ice caps. These places hold the most important evidence for understanding qaternary glacial fluctuations. However, they have received little attention, because they are far from the major communication routes and too close to the Tibetan border. (Read More)
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